Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Volkswagen Taigo

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Mercedes' compact SUV on the MFA2 platform.

Volkswagen Taigo

Volkswagen’s compact coupé crossover.

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…

Volkswagen Taigo

Pick the Taigo for a stylish coupé crossover with low running costs and city-friendly dimensions.

Best engine: The 1.0 TSI (110 hp) or 1.5 TSI (150 hp).

Read the full guide

Performance

M282 GLA 200 · Petrol vs 1.0 TSI 110 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Volkswagen Taigo
Power	163 hp Winner	110 hp
Torque	250 Nm Winner	200 Nm
0–100 km/h	8,7 s Winner	10,5 s
Top speed	210 km/h Winner	191 km/h
Power-to-weight	110,1 hp/t Winner	93,6 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	140 g/km	123 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,9 L/100km	5,4 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Volkswagen Taigo
Boot	435 L	440 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.430 L Winner	1.222 L
Wheelbase	2,73 m Winner	2,57 m
Length	4,41 m	4,27 m
Width	1,83 m	1,76 m
Height	1,61 m	1,49 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Volkswagen Taigo
Platform	MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the A-Class W177, B-Class W247 and CLA C118)	MQB A0 (transverse, shared with the Polo/T-Cross)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Engine family	M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid	EA211 1.0 TSI · EA211 Evo 1.5 TSI
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol
Transmission	7G-DCT / 8G-DCT dual-clutch (no manual)	5/6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6d (all engines)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6d petrol 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)

Volkswagen Taigo

DQ200 DSG shift quality (dry clutch)
Infotainment glitches on early cars
Plastic water pump/thermostat module

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

Volkswagen Taigo

Coupé design stands apart from the T-Cross
Thrifty 1.0 TSI engines with low CO2
Compact and agile in town

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

Volkswagen Taigo

Less rear headroom due to the sloping roof
No all-wheel drive available

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.

Volkswagen Taigo

Light, easy and aimed squarely at town driving. The Taigo steers quickly and lightly, rides acceptably, and slips through city streets with little effort. The sloping roofline looks good but trims rear headroom, and it is front-wheel drive only. The 1.0 TSI is the sensible choice — smooth and economical — the 1.5 TSI adds useful pace, and the DSG is smooth. It is a style-led small crossover that prioritises looks and ease of use over outright practicality or driving involvement.