VS

Mercedes B Class vs Mercedes GLA comparison

Compare performance (238 HP vs 421 HP), boot space and price (33,100 £ vs 38,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes B Class or Mercedes GLA?

Mercedes B Class vs Mercedes GLA: Key differences

Mercedes B Class

4.9 (5 Reviews)
rate
  • somewhat cheaper
  • somewhat more efficient
  • moderately more electric range
  • slightly lighter
  • very slightly more trunk space

Mercedes GLA

4.6 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably more power
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

B Class

Urban Tightrope vs. Confident Crossover

The Mercedes B Class feels like a compact hatchback on a short-wheelbase diet — light-footed, easy to place in traffic and surprisingly composed over city bumps, perfect for tight parking and quick commutes. The Mercedes GLA leans into a taller, more assured stance that inspires confidence on open roads and gives a stronger sense of command behind the wheel. Both are refined in town, but they deliver different sensations: one is nimble and forgiving, the other is planted and a touch more assertive when the road opens up.

GLA

Living Room on Wheels

Step inside the Mercedes B Class and you get an airy, practical cabin that prioritises visibility and day-to-day usability, with clever touches that make family life simpler. The Mercedes GLA trades some of that openness for a cosseting, more SUV-like atmosphere that feels slightly more premium and driver-focused. Neither sacrifices comfort, but the mood and ergonomics clearly aim at different owners — one practical and pragmatic, the other image-conscious and tactile.

B Class

Suitcases, Strollers and Weekend Plans

When it comes to packing for life, the Mercedes B Class rewards you with smart packaging and flexible space that handles school runs and supermarket hauls without drama. The Mercedes GLA offers a more vertical, glamorous take on practicality that suits outdoor gear or taller loads and looks handy when you’re loading cases or bikes. Both cover everyday chores well, but how you use the space — low-and-wide versus tall-and-easy — will determine which feels more useful to you.

GLA

Street Style and Personality

The Mercedes B Class presents a tidy, understated aesthetic that ages gracefully and appeals to buyers who want Mercedes without shouting. The Mercedes GLA is the bolder sibling: chunkier proportions, crossover cues and stronger road presence that attract attention and projects a more adventurous image. Neither is bland, but your choice is partly about the statement you want your car to make in the driveway.

B Class

Who Should Buy Which?

If your life is a loop of city commutes, parking-dominated errands and family practicality, the Mercedes B Class will likely feel like a sensible, quietly clever companion; if you crave a higher driving position, a more assertive look and a car that handles weekend escapes with equal aplomb, the Mercedes GLA will answer those needs neatly. Consider how you live rather than just what looks good on paper — your daily routine will reveal the better fit. Keep reading to see which model earns the DriveDuel Champion title afterwards.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

B Class

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Mercedes B Class is somewhat cheaper – starting at 33,100 £ , while the Mercedes GLA costs 38,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 5,707 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes B Class uses 2.5 L/100km and is somewhat more efficient than the Mercedes GLA with 2.9 L/100km. The difference is about 0.4 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes B Class offers moderately more range – reaching up to 83 km, about 9 km more than the Mercedes GLA.

GLA

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes GLA offers considerably more power – delivering 421 HP compared to 238 HP. That’s roughly 183 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLA is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.3 s, while the Mercedes B Class takes 6.5 s. That’s about 2.2 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the Mercedes B Class is only slightly faster – reaching 223 km/h, while the Mercedes GLA tops out at 210 km/h. The difference is around 13 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLA delivers only slightly more torque with 500 Nm compared to 450 Nm. That’s about 50 Nm more.

B Class

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Mercedes B Class is slightly lighter – 1,405 kg compared to 1,570 kg. The difference is around 165 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes B Class offers very slightly more boot space – 455 L compared to 435 L. That’s a difference of about 20 L.

For maximum load capacity, the Mercedes B Class offers very slightly more capacity – up to 1,440 L, about 55 L more than the Mercedes GLA.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes B Class carries marginally more – 550 kg compared to 500 kg. That’s a difference of about 50 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes GLA is clearly ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £38,800
GLA

Mercedes GLA

  • Engine Type : Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Petrol
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 421 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 74 km
Mercedes B Class
Mercedes GLA

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Mercedes B Class

The Mercedes B-Class is a smart, grown-up compact people carrier that dresses everyday practicality in a near‑premium polish, perfect for buyers who want comfort and a classy badge without the theatrics. It won’t set your pulse racing on a back road, but it will make school runs, commutes and grocery hauls feel pleasantly civilized — a reliable, slightly posh companion for real life.

details

Mercedes GLA

The Mercedes GLA blends Mercedes style with compact crossover practicality, looking sharper than its size suggests while still feeling purposeful around town. Inside it serves up premium materials and tech-forward ergonomics, and the composed ride makes it an appealing pick for buyers who want luxury wrapped in a city-friendly package with a wink of adventurous spirit.

details
Mercedes B Class
Mercedes GLA

Costs and Consumption

Price
33,100 - 52,500 £
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Consumption L/100km
2.5 - 6.9 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
83 km
Electric Range
74 km
Battery Capacity
12.9 kWh
Battery Capacity
12.9 kWh
co2
56 - 156 g/km
co2
66 - 216 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
35 L
Fuel tank capacity
35 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
MPV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,405 - 1,745 kg
Curb weight
1,570 - 1,810 kg
Trunk capacity
405 - 455 L
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Length
4,419 mm
Length
4,412 mm
Width
1,796 mm
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Height
1,562 mm
Height
1,616 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,440 L
Max trunk capacity
1,385 L
Payload
505 - 550 kg
Payload
480 - 500 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 238 HP
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 10 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Max Speed
223 km/h
Max Speed
210 km/h
Torque
200 - 450 Nm
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 175 kW
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, D, E, F
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, E, F, G
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.