Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Mercedes' compact SUV on the MFA2 platform.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes' large SUV on the MHA platform.

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 300 d / GLE 350 d (diesel) or GLE 450 (petrol) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

M282 GLA 200 · Petrol vs M256 GLE 450 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Power	163 hp	367 hp Winner
Torque	250 Nm	500 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	8,7 s	5,7 s Winner
Top speed	210 km/h	250 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	110,1 hp/t	164,2 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	140 g/km Winner	220 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,9 L/100km Winner	9,3 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Boot	435 L	630 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.430 L	2.055 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,73 m	3,00 m Winner
Length	4,41 m	4,92 m
Width	1,83 m	1,95 m
Height	1,61 m	1,80 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Mercedes-Benz GLE
Platform	MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the A-Class W177, B-Class W247 and CLA C118)	MHA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the GLS)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
Engine family	M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid	M256/M176 petrol · OM654/OM656 diesel · plug-in hybrid
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7G-DCT / 8G-DCT dual-clutch (no manual)	9G-TRONIC automatic
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)

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

Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage
9G-TRONIC: fluid changes recommended earlier than official intervals
MBUX/electronics glitches (mostly fixed via updates)

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

630 L boot growing to ~2,055 L — roomy for a large SUV
GLE 450: 367 hp I6 with EQ Boost (48V) and 500 Nm
OM656 2.9 I6 diesel (GLE 350 d: 272 hp / 600 Nm)
GLE 400 e PHEV: 381 hp and 650 Nm, company-car friendly

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

OM654/OM656 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
PHEV shrinks boot space (~490 L)
Complex air suspension and electronics need dealer maintenance

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

Serene, isolating and quietly opulent. Steering is light and relaxed, the ride hushed and composed, and the GLE smothers rough roads and motorway miles alike. 4MATIC adds unflappable all-weather security without asking anything of the driver. AIRMATIC air suspension, where fitted, glides over poor surfaces with real polish. The M256 inline-six is silky with its 48-volt assist, the OM654/OM656 diesels pull strongly and stay quiet, and the GLE 400 e plug-in glides on electric power. The 9G-Tronic shifts almost imperceptibly. Overall a calm, tech-rich luxury SUV built to isolate, not involve.