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Mercedes GLA vs Polestar 5 comparison

Compare performance (421 HP vs 884 HP), boot space and price (38,800 £ vs 101,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLA or Polestar 5?

Mercedes GLA vs Polestar 5: Key differences

Mercedes GLA

4.5 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • substantially lighter
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Polestar 5

  • significantly more power
  • considerably more electric range
  • markedly quicker 0–100 km/h
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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:

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

Mercedes GLA is substantially cheaper – starting at 38,800 £ , while the Polestar 5 costs 101,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 62,821 £.

As for electric range, the Polestar 5 offers considerably more range – reaching up to 670 km, about 596 km more than the Mercedes GLA.

5

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Polestar 5 offers significantly more power – delivering 884 HP compared to 421 HP. That’s roughly 463 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Polestar 5 is markedly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.2 s, while the Mercedes GLA takes 4.3 s. That’s about 1.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Polestar 5 delivers substantially more torque with 1,015 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 515 Nm more.

GLA

Space and Everyday Use:

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

Seats: Mercedes GLA offers more seats – 5 vs 4.

In terms of curb weight, Mercedes GLA is substantially lighter – 1,570 kg compared to 2,462 kg. The difference is around 892 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Polestar 5 stands well ahead of its rival 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 £101,700
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Polestar 5

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 748 - 884 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 17.6 - 20.9 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 565 - 670 km
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Frequently compared as well

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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 …
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Mercedes GLA
Polestar 5

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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Reviews Mercedes GLA

4.5 (4 Reviews)
rate
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

Polestar 5

The Polestar 5 represents the Swedish automaker's bold vision for the future of electric vehicles, marrying cutting-edge design with sustainable automotive innovation. With its sleek silhouette and minimalist aesthetics, the vehicle stands out in a crowd, delivering a nod to Scandinavian design principles. Beyond its striking appearance, the Polestar 5 is engineered to offer exceptional performance and efficiency, making it a compelling choice for environmentally conscious drivers seeking luxury and innovation.

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Reviews Polestar 5

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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Mercedes GLA
Polestar 5

Costs and Consumption
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Price
101,700 - 121,400 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
17.6 - 20.9 kWh/100km
Electric Range
74 km
Electric Range
565 - 670 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
66 - 216 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Coupe
Seats
5
Seats
4
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,570 - 1,810 kg
Curb weight
2,462 - 2,465 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Width
2,015 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
480 - 500 kg
Payload
-

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel, Petrol
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Power HP
748 - 884 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.2 - 3.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Torque
812 - 1,015 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Power kW
550 - 650 kW
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3
Engine capacity
-

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