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Mercedes GLA vs Vauxhall Frontera comparison

Compare performance (421 HP vs 145 HP), boot space and price (38,800 £ vs 20,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLA or Vauxhall Frontera?

Mercedes GLA vs Vauxhall Frontera: Key differences

Mercedes GLA

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

Vauxhall Frontera

4.1 (7 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • clearly more electric range
  • somewhat lighter
  • barely more trunk space
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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.

Vauxhall Frontera is substantially cheaper – starting at 20,700 £ , while the Mercedes GLA costs 38,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 18,102 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes GLA uses 2.9 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Vauxhall Frontera with 5.2 L/100km. The difference is about 2.3 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Vauxhall Frontera offers clearly more range – reaching up to 400 km, about 326 km more than the Mercedes GLA.

Frontera

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 clearly more power – delivering 421 HP compared to 145 HP. That’s roughly 276 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 Vauxhall Frontera takes 9.1 s. That’s about 4.8 s quicker.

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

GLA

Space and Everyday Use:

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

Seats: Vauxhall Frontera offers more seats – 7 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, Vauxhall Frontera is somewhat lighter – 1,394 kg compared to 1,570 kg. The difference is around 176 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Vauxhall Frontera offers barely more boot space – 460 L compared to 435 L. That’s a difference of about 25 L.

When it comes to payload, the Vauxhall Frontera carries somewhat more – 570 kg compared to 500 kg. That’s a difference of about 70 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes GLA is clearly superior 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 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

Citroen C3 Aircross
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Choosing between the Citroën C3 Aircross and the Opel Frontera comes down to whether you want a compact, comfort-focused crossover or a more traditionally rugged SUV. The C3 Aircross shines with clever packaging, ride comfort and economy, while the Frontera offers stronger towing, load capacity and …
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Mercedes GLA
Vauxhall Frontera

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Mercedes GLA

The Mercedes GLA is a compact luxury crossover that brings Mercedes-Benz's refined design and premium cabin materials into a practical, city-friendly package. It combines comfortable ride quality and intuitive tech with poised handling, making it a confident choice for everyday driving and longer journeys.

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20C0047_067
20C0047_071
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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

Vauxhall Frontera

The Opel Frontera is a rugged, no-nonsense SUV that balances off-road capability with comfortable everyday driving. It offers straightforward mechanics and a practical cabin, making it a sensible choice for buyers who value durability over flash.

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NewOpelFronteraElectric
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NewOpelFronteraElectric (3)
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NewOpelFronteraElectric (7)

Reviews Vauxhall Frontera

4.1 (7 Reviews)
rate
Pascal
5 Jun 2026, 04:10:37

A thoroughly bad cheap car. Feels like a C3 Aircross for the poor.

That's a reason to change employers! Terrible car.

It already has a nickname, "Klapperchen"

I think any Dacia is better!

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Company car / Business
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Roch
18 May 2026, 10:12:50

Automatic gearbox and certain features, like the windshield wipers that aren’t optional; the trunk capacity is larger on the 5-seat Frontera.

Wolfgang
6 May 2026, 04:24:52

I just like the Opel better (maybe only because I'm very disappointed in VW and therefore also in its subsidiaries).

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Commuter (short/medium distance)
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Gilbert
14 Apr 2026, 08:19:17

I bought the Opel Frontera GS 145PS after also testing the VW T‑Roc; so far I've driven about 5,800 km in it.

My purchase decision was based on the following criteria:
- modern design that stands out from the crowd
- low fuel consumption
- very good seats and plenty of space front and rear
- large, practical boot
- good performance characteristics
- very easy to get into
- simple controls, partly with physical buttons
- clear, well‑laid‑out cockpit

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
H. P.
19 Dec 2025, 13:27:19

Opel has clearly skimped here. Misaligned panel gaps, no position/parking light, patchy workmanship and ill‑fitting parts — for example the partition between the passenger footwell and the engine bay — the owner's manual is inadequate and at times reads like a fairy tale; many of the functions it describes are nowhere to be found. They simply don't exist. And the claimed fuel consumption? Even with normal driving — that is, without acceleration orgies — it's unattainable.

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

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Mercedes GLA
Vauxhall Frontera

Costs and Consumption
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Price
20,700 - 30,000 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
5.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
16.7 - 18.3 kWh/100km
Electric Range
74 km
Electric Range
308 - 400 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
66 - 216 g/km
co2
0 - 118 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5 - 7
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,570 - 1,810 kg
Curb weight
1,394 - 1,610 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Trunk capacity
460 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Width
1,795 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
480 - 500 kg
Payload
436 - 570 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel, Petrol
Engine Type
Electric, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Power HP
110 - 145 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
9.1 - 14.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Torque
125 - 230 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Power kW
81 - 107 kW
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3
Engine capacity
1,199 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, B, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, D
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Vauxhall
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.