Mercedes-Benz GLA H247 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE W166

Mercedes-Benz GLA

H247 · 2020 – 2026

The second-generation GLA on the MFA2 platform.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

W166 · 2011 – 2019

The ML-Class / first GLE generation.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Pick the GLA for a raised driving position, space and efficient engines in a compact premium SUV.

Best engine: The GLA 200 (petrol) or GLA 200 d / GLA 220 d (diesel) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Pick the GLE for space, comfort and powerful engines in a large premium SUV.

Best engine: The GLE 250 d (diesel) or GLE 350 (petrol) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

M282 GLA 200 · Petrol vs M276 GLE 350 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Power	163 hp	306 hp Winner
Torque	250 Nm	370 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	8,7 s	7,5 s Winner
Top speed	210 km/h	235 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	110,1 hp/t	142,3 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	140 g/km Winner	185 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,9 L/100km Winner	7,9 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Boot	435 L	690 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.430 L	2.010 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,73 m	2,92 m Winner
Length	4,41 m	4,82 m
Ground clearance	14,3 cm	21,0 cm
Turning circle	11,4 m Winner	11,8 m
Towing capacity (braked)	1.800 kg	3.500 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Platform	MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base)	M-Class rear-wheel-drive base
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid	M276/M278 petrol · OM651/OM642 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7-speed 7G-DCT	7-speed 7G-TRONIC
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Mercedes-Benz GLA

M282 (1.3): thermostat/cooling and elevated oil consumption reported
Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
7G-DCT/8G-DCT needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
MBUX software glitches (mostly resolved by updates)

Mercedes-Benz GLE

OM651 diesel: timing chain and AdBlue/NOx issues possible
OM642 V6 diesel: oil cooler / intake manifold issues
7G-TRONIC: judder or delayed engagement if fluid is neglected
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage

Pros

Mercedes-Benz GLA

435 L boot growing to ~1,430 L — roomy for a subcompact SUV
Efficient OM654 2.0 diesel (GLA 200 d: 150 hp / 320 Nm, ~4.8 L/100 km)
MFA2 platform with MBUX and optional 4MATIC
GLA 250 e PHEV: 218 hp and 450 Nm, company-car friendly

Mercedes-Benz GLE

690 L boot growing to ~2,010 L — roomy for a large SUV
OM651 2.1 diesel (GLE 250 d: 204 hp / 500 Nm) for pulling power
V6/V8 options (GLE 350 / GLE 500) for smooth performance

Cons

Mercedes-Benz GLA

OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
Dual-clutch gearbox needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
Early M282 (1.3): elevated oil consumption reported

Mercedes-Benz GLE

OM651/OM642 diesel: timing chain and AdBlue/DPF need checking
7G-TRONIC needs earlier-than-official fluid changes
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage

Driving experience

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Comfortable, easy and closer to a hatchback than an SUV to drive. The GLA rides smoothly, stays quiet at speed, and steers lightly and precisely with little feedback. The 2.0-litre M260 petrol is smooth and pulls strongly from low revs; the OM654 diesel is the one for high mileage, nearly inaudible on the motorway; the 250 e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The dual-clutch gearbox is quick once moving, though it can hesitate from a standstill. There is little here for keen drivers — the GLA puts comfort, quietness and the tech-heavy cabin ahead of any sporting pretension.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Big, comfortable and more truck-like than the GLC. The W166 rides with a soft, absorbent gait, especially on AIRMATIC, steers lightly with little feedback, and feels genuinely large and commanding from behind the wheel. 4MATIC is standard and gives confident traction, though this is a comfort-first car rather than an agile one. The M276 V6 petrol is smooth and strong, the OM642 diesel is the towing and distance workhorse, and the 500 e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The 7G/9G automatic is smooth. It is a spacious, comfortable large SUV built for comfort, space and towing, not for keen driving.