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Mercedes GLA vs Volvo XC90 comparison

Compare performance (421 HP vs 406 HP), boot space and price (38,800 £ vs 74,300 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLA or Volvo XC90?

Mercedes GLA vs Volvo XC90: Key differences

Mercedes GLA

4.5 (4 Reviews)
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  • significantly cheaper
  • very slightly more power
  • moderately more efficient
  • marginally more electric range
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • markedly lighter
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Volvo XC90

5 (2 Reviews)
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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.

Mercedes GLA is significantly cheaper – starting at 38,800 £ , while the Volvo XC90 costs 74,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 35,469 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Mercedes GLA uses 2.9 L/100km and is moderately more efficient than the Volvo XC90 with 3.4 L/100km. The difference is about 0.5 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes GLA offers marginally more range – reaching up to 74 km, about 5 km more than the Volvo XC90.

XC90

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 very slightly more power – delivering 421 HP compared to 406 HP. That’s roughly 15 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLA is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.3 s, while the Volvo XC90 takes 5.4 s. That’s about 1.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Volvo XC90 delivers noticeably more torque with 669 Nm compared to 500 Nm. That’s about 169 Nm more.

GLA

Space and Everyday Use:

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

Seats: Volvo XC90 offers more seats – 7 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, Mercedes GLA is markedly lighter – 1,570 kg compared to 2,080 kg. The difference is around 510 kg.

When it comes to payload, the Volvo XC90 carries noticeably more – 710 kg compared to 500 kg. That’s a difference of about 210 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
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Frequently compared as well

Mercedes B Class
Mercedes GLA
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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
Volvo XC90

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)
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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

Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is a serene Scandinavian SUV that mixes minimalist luxury with a composed, confidence-inspiring presence — ideal for buyers who want family practicality without sacrificing style. Inside it serves up a calm, well-crafted cabin and user-friendly tech that keeps long journeys pleasant and tantrums to a minimum, making the XC90 a smart, stylish pick for sensible drivers.

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Reviews Volvo XC90

5 (2 Reviews)
rate
Ffg
16 May 2026, 03:34:35

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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
Borstel
11 Nov 2025, 12:59:12

I drive both cars. The XC90’s boot is — contrary to the figures posted here — noticeably larger than the GLC’s when carrying five people. Overall the XC90 is clearly the more comfortable and, above all, the more stable — and therefore the safer — car.

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Mercedes GLA
Volvo XC90

Costs and Consumption
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Price
74,300 - 84,600 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
3.4 - 8.3 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
74 km
Electric Range
69 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
66 - 216 g/km
co2
71 - 188 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
7
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,570 - 1,810 kg
Curb weight
2,080 - 2,350 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Trunk capacity
-
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Width
1,923 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
480 - 500 kg
Payload
600 - 710 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Power HP
250 - 406 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.4 - 7.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Torque
360 - 669 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Power kW
184 - 299 kW
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3
Engine capacity
1,969 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, B, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, B
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Volvo
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.