@ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
@ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
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Mercedes GLA vs VW Passat – 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 VW Passat fits your lifestyle better.

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

GLA @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

Costs and Efficiency:

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

VW Passat has a minimal advantage in terms of price – it starts at 35700 £, while the Mercedes GLA costs 38800 £. That’s a price difference of around 3102 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: VW Passat manages with 1.20 L and is therefore significantly more efficient than the Mercedes GLA with 2.90 L. The difference is about 1.70 L per 100 km.

As for range, the VW Passat performs clearly better – achieving up to 135 km, about 61 km more than the Mercedes GLA.

Passat @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

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 has a distinct edge – offering 421 HP compared to 272 HP. That’s roughly 149 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLA is distinct quicker – completing the sprint in 4.30 s, while the VW Passat takes 5.80 s. That’s about 1.50 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Mercedes GLA performs slight better – reaching 270 km/h, while the VW Passat tops out at 250 km/h. The difference is around 20 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Mercedes GLA pulls somewhat stronger with 500 Nm compared to 400 Nm. That’s about 100 Nm difference.

GLA @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media

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 curb weight, Mercedes GLA is minimal lighter – 1570 kg compared to 1573 kg. The difference is around 3 kg.

In terms of boot space, the VW Passat offers noticeable more room – 690 L compared to 435 L. That’s a difference of about 255 L.

In maximum load capacity, the VW Passat performs evident better – up to 1920 L, which is about 490 L more than the Mercedes GLA.

When it comes to payload, VW Passat slightly takes the win – 577 kg compared to 500 kg. That’s a difference of about 77 kg.

Who wins the race?

The VW Passat proves to be leaves the rival little chance and therefore becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
VW Passat is the better all-rounder in this comparison.

from about £35,700
Passat @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

VW Passat

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 122 - 272 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.2 - 8 L
  • Electric Range : 124 - 135 km

Mercedes GLA

5 (1)
rate

The Mercedes GLA blends Mercedes style with compact crossover practicality, looking sharper than its size suggests while still feeling purposeful around town. Inside it serves up premium materials and tech-forward ergonomics, and the composed ride makes it an appealing pick for buyers who want luxury wrapped in a city-friendly package with a wink of adventurous spirit.

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VW Passat

5 (2)
rate

The VW Passat is the grown-up family car that gets the basics absolutely right — roomy, comfortable and built to handle weekday commutes and weekend getaways without fuss. It won't set your pulse racing, but its calm composure and sensible packaging make it boring in the best possible way: a dependable, no‑drama choice for buyers who value practicality over flash.

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Mercedes GLA
VW Passat
GLA @ Mercedes-Benz Group Media
Passat @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

Costs and Consumption

Price
38800 - 75300 £
Price
35700 - 58500 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 8 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
74 km
Electric Range
124 - 135 km
Battery Capacity
12.90 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
co2
66 - 216 g/km
co2
28 - 181 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
35 - 51 L
Fuel tank capacity
45 - 66 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1570 - 1810 kg
Curb weight
1573 - 1858 kg
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Trunk capacity
510 - 690 L
Length
4412 - 4443 mm
Length
4917 mm
Width
1834 - 1849 mm
Width
1849 mm
Height
1590 - 1616 mm
Height
1521 mm
Max trunk capacity
1385 - 1430 L
Max trunk capacity
1770 - 1920 L
Payload
480 - 500 kg
Payload
501 - 577 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Power HP
122 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.8 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
190 - 270 km/h
Max Speed
212 - 250 km/h
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Power kW
90 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1332 - 1991 cm3
Engine capacity
1498 - 1984 cm3

General

Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
B, E, F, G
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, D, E, B
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
VW
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.