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Mercedes GLA vs VW ID.Polo comparison

Compare performance (421 HP vs 226 HP), boot space and price (38,800 £ vs 21,400 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLA or VW ID.Polo?

Mercedes GLA vs VW ID.Polo: Key differences

Mercedes GLA

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

VW ID.Polo

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably cheaper
  • clearly more electric range
  • very slightly lighter
  • marginally more trunk space
details

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.

VW ID.Polo is considerably cheaper – starting at 21,400 £ , while the Mercedes GLA costs 38,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 17,412 £.

As for electric range, the VW ID.Polo offers clearly more range – reaching up to 454 km, about 380 km more than the Mercedes GLA.

ID.Polo

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 significantly more power – delivering 421 HP compared to 226 HP. That’s roughly 195 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLA is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 4.3 s, while the VW ID.Polo takes 6.8 s. That’s about 2.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLA delivers significantly more torque with 500 Nm compared to 290 Nm. That’s about 210 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, VW ID.Polo is very slightly lighter – 1,568 kg compared to 1,570 kg. The difference is around 2 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW ID.Polo offers marginally more boot space – 441 L compared to 435 L. That’s a difference of about 6 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLA carries slightly more – 500 kg compared to 444 kg. That’s a difference of about 56 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW ID.Polo 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 £21,400
ID.Polo

VW ID.Polo

  • Engine Type Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 116 - 226 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km 13.3 - 14.4 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 424 - 454 km
details

Frequently compared as well

CUPRA Raval
VW ID.Polo
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The CUPRA Raval and the Volkswagen ID. Polo are fresh contenders in the compact electric city-car segment, with the Raval pushing sporty design and tech while the ID. Polo leans on Volkswagen’s familiar practicality. This comparison focuses on driving feel, range, interior space and ownership costs …
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Mercedes GLA
VW ID.Polo

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
20C0047_067
20C0047_071
20C0047_104
20C0047_115

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

VW ID.Polo

The VW ID.Polo brings classic Polo sensibility to the EV age with a calm, refined ride, an unusually large boot, and refreshingly simple controls with real buttons. It favors easygoing efficiency and family-friendly practicality over playful handling or high-speed autobahn pace, and the smaller-battery versions ask for a bit more planning on long trips.

details
DB2026AU00361_medium
DB2026AU00362_medium
DB2026AU00356_large
DB2026AU00304_large
DB2026AU00351_medium
DB2026AU00301_large

Reviews VW ID.Polo

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
Rajczi Zoltan
5 Jun 2026, 16:19:32

Super! Batery klein.

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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The Mercedes A‑Class is the sharper, more driver-focused hatch that feels nimble and refined on twisty roads, while the Mercedes GLA trades a bit of agility for SUV practicality with a higher ride height, extra luggage space and a commanding view of the road. Pick the A‑Class for sporty handling, …
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VW ID.Polo
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The VW Polo and the VW ID. Polo are compact hatchbacks aimed at the same city buyers, but they take very different approaches: the Polo remains a refined petrol (with mild‑hybrid options) mainstream choice, while the ID. Polo is Volkswagen’s fully electric small hatch. This comparison focuses on …
Mercedes GLA
VW ID.Polo

Costs and Consumption
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Price
21,400 - 36,000 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
13.3 - 14.4 kWh/100km
Electric Range
74 km
Electric Range
424 - 454 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
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,570 - 1,810 kg
Curb weight
1,568 - 1,635 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Trunk capacity
441 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Width
1,816 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
480 - 500 kg
Payload
444 kg

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
Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Power HP
116 - 226 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.8 - 7.1 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Torque
290 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Power kW
85 - 166 kW
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3
Engine capacity
-

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