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Mercedes GLA vs Dacia Duster comparison

Compare performance (421 HP vs 158 HP), boot space and price (38,800 £ vs 16,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLA or Dacia Duster?

Mercedes GLA vs Dacia Duster: Key differences

Mercedes GLA

4.5 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
details

Dacia Duster

4.8 (3 Reviews)
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  • substantially cheaper
  • moderately lighter
  • a bit more trunk space
details

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

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

GLA

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Dacia Duster is substantially cheaper – starting at 16,300 £ , while the Mercedes GLA costs 38,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 22,559 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes GLA uses 2.9 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Dacia Duster with 4.7 L/100km. The difference is about 1.8 L/100km.

Duster

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 158 HP. That’s roughly 263 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLA is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 4.3 s, while the Dacia Duster takes 9.4 s. That’s about 5.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLA delivers considerably more torque with 500 Nm compared to 230 Nm. That’s about 270 Nm more.

GLA

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Dacia Duster is moderately lighter – 1,377 kg compared to 1,570 kg. The difference is around 193 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Dacia Duster offers a bit more boot space – 517 L compared to 435 L. That’s a difference of about 82 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLA carries barely more – 500 kg compared to 453 kg. That’s a difference of about 47 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes GLA is decisively ahead 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 : Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, 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
details

Frequently compared as well

Dacia Duster
Dacia Jogger
VS
The Dacia Duster is the rugged, no-nonsense compact SUV that feels ready for gravel tracks and weekend escapes without costing the earth — pick it if you want a bit of adventure in a brutally honest, affordable package. The Dacia Jogger, by contrast, is a clever, spacious seven-seater that trades …
Dacia Duster
Dacia Sandero
VS
If you need a proper SUV silhouette, more room and rough-road confidence, the Dacia Duster is the sensible adventurer — higher ride height, optional 4x4 and a generous boot make it the one to choose for family trips and gravel tracks. But if you mainly commute, squeeze into city parking and care …
Mercedes GLA
Dacia Duster

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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
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Reviews Mercedes GLA

4.5 (4 Reviews)
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Lucien
1 May 2026, 07:12:24

GLA 180 petrol. Ideal for city and highway. Very smooth and quiet. The automatic gearbox is a delight. Average consumption 6.2 L/100 km. Special edition 180 Cyber Edition, leather seats....

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Gutter
24 Feb 2026, 21:53:27

Super nimble, very impressive power from this 1,300cc mild‑hybrid engine — in town, on the road and on the motorway for this 2025 GLA 180 Style AMG... premium interior!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Serge
16 Jan 2026, 16:09:11

You have to compare like with like — the GLA should be compared to the Q3, not the Q2 as in your study!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

Dacia Duster

The Dacia Duster is a no-nonsense compact SUV that delivers rugged practicality and surprisingly comfortable everyday driving without fuss. It might not win any beauty contests, but its honest design, easy-to-live-with cabin and tough attitude make it a smart pick for buyers who want reliable transport without luxury frills.

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d220404p

Reviews Dacia Duster

4.8 (3 Reviews)
rate
Dave
11 May 2026, 00:08:47

As a previous owner of a manual 1998 Suzuki Vitara (two door), I was thrilled when the Duster was announced. The Bigster seems like a safer (and less adventurous) alternative to the Duster.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Leisure / Weekend driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Buh
14 Dec 2025, 22:40:05

I find the difference between the two very minimal.
And for almost €20k more 💶 I would absolutely not choose the Tiguan.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Family car
Value for Money

Frequently compared as well

Mercedes B Class
Mercedes GLA
VS
The Mercedes B‑Class is the practical, airy people‑carrier that prioritises space and comfort, while the Mercedes GLA takes the same mechanical smarts and adds SUV looks, higher ride height and a touch more road presence. Pick the B‑Class for family‑friendly sense and efficiency, choose the GLA if …
Mercedes A Class
Mercedes GLA
VS
The Mercedes A‑Class is the sharper, more driver-focused hatch that feels nimble and refined on twisty roads, while the Mercedes GLA trades a bit of agility for SUV practicality with a higher ride height, extra luggage space and a commanding view of the road. Pick the A‑Class for sporty handling, …
Dacia Duster
Dacia Bigster
VS
The Dacia Duster is a compact, proven SUV that’s affordable and easy to live with; the Dacia Bigster is a bigger, more modern model focused on space and family practicality. This comparison will help you weigh size, interior comfort, engines, equipment and running costs so you can pick the right …
Dacia Duster
Suzuki Vitara
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The Dacia Duster still shocks with back-to-basics toughness and an unbeatable price — real off-road chops and a cavernous boot for a fraction of the bill — while the Suzuki Vitara answers with sharper handling, nicer interior materials and smarter tech that feels a touch more grown-up. Choose the …
Dacia Duster
Opel Frontera
VS
The Dacia Duster is the sensible new-school pick — affordable, economical and surprisingly well packaged with modern safety and infotainment for the money; the Opel Frontera, meanwhile, is a proper old-school body-on-frame bruiser that still appeals to buyers who prize simple, rugged off-road …
Dacia Duster
Renault Captur
VS
Think of the Dacia Duster as the bargain-basement SUV that treats rough roads like a challenge and your wallet like a VIP—rugged, simple and brutally practical. The Renault Captur, by contrast, is the fashion-forward city slicker with sharper looks, more tech and a softer ride, ideal if you want …
Dacia Duster
Toyota Yaris Cross
VS
The Dacia Duster feels like a rugged, no‑nonsense bargain—roomy, high‑riding and ready to tackle dirt tracks for a fraction of the price, while the Toyota Yaris Cross is the clever city SUV: compact, efficient and wrapped in Toyota’s polished hybrid refinement. Choose the Duster if you want space …
Dacia Duster
Hyundai Tucson
VS
The Dacia Duster and Hyundai Tucson are both compact SUVs but take very different approaches: the Duster prioritizes affordability, rugged simplicity and practical off-road ability, while the Tucson leans on refinement, interior space and a richer feature set. Choosing between them comes down to …
Mercedes GLA
Dacia Duster

Costs and Consumption
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Price
16,300 - 24,900 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.7 - 7.6 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
74 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
66 - 216 g/km
co2
107 - 140 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,570 - 1,810 kg
Curb weight
1,377 - 1,559 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Trunk capacity
348 - 517 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Width
1,813 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
480 - 500 kg
Payload
402 - 453 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Full Hybrid, LPG
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Automated Manual, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Power HP
115 - 158 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.4 - 11.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Torque
190 - 230 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Power kW
84 - 116 kW
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3
Engine capacity
1,199 - 1,789 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, B, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Dacia
Is the Mercedes GLA offered with different drivetrains?

The Mercedes GLA is available as Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

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.