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Mercedes GLA vs Peugeot 408 comparison

Compare performance (421 HP vs 240 HP), boot space and price (38,800 £ vs 35,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLA or Peugeot 408?

Mercedes GLA vs Peugeot 408: Key differences

Mercedes GLA

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

Peugeot 408

4.9 (1 Reviews)
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  • moderately cheaper
  • moderately more efficient
  • considerably more electric range
  • barely lighter
details

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

Achim Sedelmaier
GLA

Mercedes GLA VS Peugeot 408 — quick take

Mercedes GLA VS Peugeot 408 frames a clash between a compact premium SUV that prioritises lounge-like refinement and a design-forward fastback that trades classic SUV proportions for space and style. The Mercedes GLA leans into quiet highway cruising, polished assist systems and a premium cabin feel, while the Peugeot 408 answers with generous rear legroom, a larger boot and a striking interior that feels more value-packed. Price and running-cost logic also diverge: the Peugeot typically undercuts the GLA on purchase price and rewards drivers who can plug in regularly, whereas the GLA sells on brand cachet and a more composed everyday presence. That sets up a practical trade-off: choose comfort and tech polish with the GLA, or pick the 408 for space, style and a lower cost-to-run if you can use its electric capability.

408

Comfort and long-distance behaviour

The Mercedes GLA presents itself as a true long-distance cruiser with calm suspension tuning and a hushed cabin that makes motorway miles feel effortless, while the Peugeot 408 is similarly relaxed on the open road but with a different character — more planted and roomy rather than boudoir-soft. On the GLA you sit a touch higher and benefit from refined noise insulation and helpful driver aids that reduce fatigue; the 408 compensates with superior rear legroom and a long-wheelbase steadiness that passengers will notice on long trips. Tyre and wheel choices expose a key trade-off: larger wheels on the Peugeot can make urban potholes more obvious, whereas the Mercedes keeps low-frequency thumps better absorbed. For buyers who spend most days on the motorway both cars work, but the GLA skews toward passive comfort while the 408 rewards families who need space and steady cruising manners.

GLA

Practicality, cabin usability and luggage

Practical differences here are decisive: the Peugeot 408 prioritises usable space with noticeably more rear legroom and a larger boot that takes luggage with less fuss, whereas the Mercedes GLA sacrifices some cargo depth for its compact SUV silhouette and premium finishes. The 408’s fastback tail and high loading lip can make heavy items a little awkward to lift, but overall it wins when real-world packing and passenger comfort matter. The GLA’s cabin ergonomics and smarter storage nooks feel tailored and intuitive, yet families who regularly carry kit will feel the Peugeot’s advantage. In short, Mercedes appeals to buyers wanting refinement and clever cabin touches, Peugeot suits those who need straightforward space and everyday practicality.

408

City friendliness and visibility

In town the Mercedes GLA’s SUV stance and compact footprint make parking and manoeuvring easier; its driver aids and conventional seating position give a clear forward view that builds confidence in traffic. The Peugeot 408’s dramatic fastback lines look great at the kerb but compromise rearward visibility and make tight reversing a bit more reliant on cameras. Both cars will handle urban driving acceptably, but the GLA’s higher seating and the availability of more comprehensive low-speed assists make it more forgiving in congested streets. Choose the GLA if city ease and straightforward sightlines matter; pick the 408 if street presence and rear passenger room outweigh the occasional blind spot.

GLA

Cabin feel, controls and daily usability

Inside the Mercedes GLA the materials and detailing read as premium and restrained, with a dual-screen layout that projects modernity, although some touch-sensitive controls and steering pad inputs can be fiddly in everyday use. The Peugeot 408 goes for a more characterful cockpit with strong materials and an i‑Cockpit layout that divides opinion: it feels special and focused once you adapt, but a smaller steering wheel and certain display placements don’t suit every driver. Both infotainment systems have quirks — the GLA’s is polished but layered, the 408’s is fresh but occasionally sluggish — so a test drive is essential to see which logic matches your habits. The trade-off is clear: Mercedes sells predictability and tactile luxury, Peugeot offers personality and value if you accept a bit of ergonomic compromise.

408

Who should choose which — buyer fit and next steps

If you prize a refined cabin, relaxed motorway cruising and a brand experience that emphasises comfort and driver aids, the Mercedes GLA is the more natural fit; it suits buyers who place premium feel and tech polish above raw practicality. If you value rear passenger room, a larger boot, distinctive styling and better purchase economics — especially if you can charge regularly to exploit the Peugeot 408’s electric advantage — then the 408 becomes the smarter everyday tool. Both have hybrid options that change the ownership story depending on charging habits, so your typical trip profile will tip the balance more than badges or brochure fluff. With those practical distinctions in mind, the technical comparison that follows will translate these real-world differences into the numbers that matter for your final choice.

Frequently compared as well

Peugeot 3008
Peugeot 408
VS
The Peugeot 3008 and Peugeot 408 are closely related models aimed at different priorities: the 3008 is a traditional compact SUV that emphasizes practicality and an elevated driving position, while the 408 blends coupe-like lines with hatchback practicality for a sleeker, more road-focused …
Mercedes B Class
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The Mercedes B‑Class and Mercedes GLA target buyers who want Mercedes practicality with premium touches, but they take different paths: the B‑Class is a spacious, hatchback-style people carrier while the GLA is a compact crossover with a higher ride height and sportier stance. This comparison looks …

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

GLA

Costs and Efficiency:

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

Peugeot 408 is moderately cheaper – starting at 35,100 £ , while the Mercedes GLA costs 38,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 3,719 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Peugeot 408 uses 2.6 L/100km and is moderately more efficient than the Mercedes GLA with 2.9 L/100km. The difference is about 0.3 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Peugeot 408 offers considerably more range – reaching up to 456 km, about 382 km more than the Mercedes GLA.

408

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 substantially more power – delivering 421 HP compared to 240 HP. That’s roughly 181 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLA is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.3 s, while the Peugeot 408 takes 7.2 s. That’s about 2.9 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLA delivers clearly more torque with 500 Nm compared to 360 Nm. That’s about 140 Nm more.

GLA

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Peugeot 408 is barely lighter – 1,544 kg compared to 1,570 kg. The difference is around 26 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLA carries only slightly more – 500 kg compared to 456 kg. That’s a difference of about 44 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes GLA has only a minor advantage 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, Plug-in 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
Mercedes GLA
Peugeot 408

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.

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

Peugeot 408

The Peugeot 408 blends a coupe-like roofline with practical sensibility, delivering striking looks and a surprisingly airy, premium-feeling cabin. On the road it prefers comfort and poise over manic thrills, making it a smart, stylish choice for buyers who want something a bit different from the usual family hatchback.

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Reviews Peugeot 408

4.9 (1 Reviews)
rate
Klaudia
15 Jan 2026, 19:46:29

This is one of the most beautiful cars of our time, in an era when every brand churns out cookie‑cutter models — as long as they look like an SUV. It's comfortable, incredibly spacious, picks up nicely on the road and always makes a great impression everywhere ;)

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

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Peugeot's 308 SW and 408 both blend style with practicality but take different approaches: the 308 SW is a traditional estate focused on cargo flexibility, while the 408 uses a fastback, raised profile for a more coupe‑like, SUV‑tinged look. This comparison looks at interior space, driving …
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Mercedes GLA
Peugeot 408

Costs and Consumption
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Price
35,100 - 48,000 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
2.6 - 5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
14.7 kWh/100km
Electric Range
74 km
Electric Range
79 - 456 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
66 - 216 g/km
co2
0 - 114 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
1,544 - 1,879 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Width
1,848 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
480 - 500 kg
Payload
371 - 456 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plug-in Hybrid, Diesel, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plug-in Hybrid, Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Power HP
145 - 240 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.2 - 9.4 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Torque
230 - 360 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Power kW
107 - 176 kW
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3
Engine capacity
1,199 - 1,598 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2026
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, B, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, B, A
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Peugeot
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.