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Mercedes GLA vs Subaru Forester – Which one offers the better deal?

Everyday use, family trips or long-distance drives – here’s where the differences show.
Discover whether Mercedes GLA or Subaru Forester fits your lifestyle better.

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

Costs and Efficiency: When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Subaru Forester has a somewhat advantage in terms of price – it starts at 34700 £, while the Mercedes GLA costs 38800 £. That’s a price difference of around 4131 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes GLA manages with 2.90 L and is therefore decisively more efficient than the Subaru Forester with 8.10 L. The difference is about 5.20 L per 100 km.

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 Mercedes GLA has a convincingly edge – offering 421 HP compared to 136 HP. That’s roughly 285 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLA is decisively quicker – completing the sprint in 4.30 s, while the Subaru Forester takes 12.20 s. That’s about 7.90 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Mercedes GLA performs clearly perceptible better – reaching 270 km/h, while the Subaru Forester tops out at 188 km/h. The difference is around 82 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLA pulls significantly stronger with 500 Nm compared to 182 Nm. That’s about 318 Nm difference.

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 curb weight, the Mercedes GLA is minimal lighter – 1570 kg compared to 1693 kg. The difference is around 123 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Subaru Forester offers somewhat more room – 508 L compared to 435 L. That’s a difference of about 73 L.

In maximum load capacity, the Subaru Forester performs slightly better – up to 1731 L, which is about 301 L more than the Mercedes GLA.

When it comes to payload, Mercedes GLA slight takes the win – 500 kg compared to 492 kg. That’s a difference of about 8 kg.

Our conclusion: The Mercedes GLA proves to be outperforms in nearly all aspects and thus becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
Overall, Mercedes GLA is the better all-rounder in this comparison.

Mercedes GLA

The Mercedes-Benz GLA presents itself as a compact yet stylish option in the luxury SUV market. Its interior offers a blend of sophisticated design and cutting-edge technology, providing a comfortable and connected driving experience. The GLA's agile handling and dynamic performance make it well-suited for both urban environments and longer journeys.

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Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a versatile SUV known for its impressive off-road capabilities and practical design. With a spacious interior and advanced safety features, it offers comfort and security for both city driving and outdoor adventures. Its reliable performance and all-wheel-drive system make it a popular choice among those who appreciate a combination of functionality and rugged charm.

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Mercedes GLA
Subaru Forester
GLA
Forester

Costs and Consumption

Price
38800 - 75300 £
Price
34700 - 42200 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L
Consumption L/100km
8.10 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
74 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
12.90 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
66 - 216 g/km
co2
183 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
35 - 51 L
Fuel tank capacity
48 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1570 - 1810 kg
Curb weight
1693 - 1739 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Trunk capacity
508 L
Length
4412 - 4443 mm
Length
4670 mm
Width
1834 - 1849 mm
Width
1830 mm
Height
1590 - 1616 mm
Height
1730 mm
Max trunk capacity
1385 - 1430 L
Max trunk capacity
1679 - 1731 L
Payload
480 - 500 kg
Payload
446 - 492 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Power HP
136 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
12.20 s
Max Speed
190 - 270 km/h
Max Speed
188 km/h
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Torque
182 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Power kW
100 kW
Engine capacity
1332 - 1991 cm3
Engine capacity
1995 cm3

General

Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, E, F, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Subaru
What drivetrain options does the Mercedes GLA have?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.