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VW ID.Polo vs Mercedes GLA comparison

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

VW ID.Polo vs Mercedes GLA: Key differences

VW ID.Polo

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

Mercedes GLA

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

ID.Polo

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

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 considerably more range – reaching up to 454 km, about 380 km more than the Mercedes GLA.

GLA

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 clearly 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 significantly 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 considerably more torque with 500 Nm compared to 290 Nm. That’s about 210 Nm more.

ID.Polo

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 terms of curb weight, VW ID.Polo is only 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 only slightly 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 far ahead 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
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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 …
Kia EV2
VW ID.Polo
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The Kia EV2 and the Volkswagen ID. Polo are fresh contenders in the small electric hatchback segment, offering compact dimensions, modern tech and city-friendly range. This head-to-head will focus on real-world usability, costs and driving characteristics to help you decide which suits your daily …
VW ID.Polo
Mercedes GLA

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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

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)
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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

Frequently compared as well

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VW ID.Polo
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Renault R5
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This short comparison pits the Renault 5 against the Volkswagen ID. Polo to help you choose which compact electric suits your needs. We'll focus on design, range, practicality, driving feel and ownership costs so you can pick the right city car.
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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 …
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Audi Q2 vs Mercedes GLA is a matchup between Audi’s compact, city-focused premium crossover and Mercedes’ slightly larger, tech-forward SUV. This comparison cuts through marketing to show where each car wins on space, comfort, driving feel, running costs and who should buy which. Quick snapshot - …
VW ID.Polo
Mercedes GLA

Costs and Consumption
Price
21,400 - 36,000 £
Price
38,800 - 75,300 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 9.5 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
13.3 - 14.4 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
424 - 454 km
Electric Range
74 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
66 - 216 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,568 - 1,635 kg
Curb weight
1,570 - 1,810 kg
Trunk capacity
441 L
Trunk capacity
385 - 435 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,816 mm
Width
1,834 - 1,849 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
444 kg
Payload
480 - 500 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel, Petrol
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 226 HP
Power HP
116 - 421 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.8 - 7.1 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.3 - 11 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
290 Nm
Torque
230 - 500 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
85 - 166 kW
Power kW
85 - 310 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,991 cm3

General
Model Year
2026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, F, B, G
Brand
VW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
What drive types are available for the VW ID.Polo?

The VW ID.Polo is available as Front-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.