Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Volkswagen Tiguan

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Mercedes' compact SUV on the MFA2 platform.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen’s compact family SUV.

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 Tiguan

Pick the Tiguan for a roomy, practical family SUV with strong towing and a wide engine range.

Best engine: The 1.5 TSI/eTSI (150 hp) or 2.0 TDI (150 hp).

Read the full guide

Performance

M282 GLA 200 · Petrol vs 1.5 eTSI 150 · Petrol

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Volkswagen Tiguan
Power	163 hp Winner	150 hp
Torque	250 Nm	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	8,7 s Winner	9,1 s
Top speed	210 km/h	210 km/h
Power-to-weight	110,1 hp/t Winner	101,4 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	140 g/km	128 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,9 L/100km	5,6 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Volkswagen Tiguan
Boot	435 L	652 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.430 L	1.650 L Winner
Wheelbase	2,73 m Winner	2,68 m
Length	4,41 m	4,54 m
Width	1,83 m	1,84 m
Height	1,61 m	1,64 m
Seats	5	5

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz GLA	Volkswagen Tiguan
Platform	MFA2 (front-wheel-drive base, shared with the A-Class W177, B-Class W247 and CLA C118)	MQB / MQB Evo (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	M282/M260 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid	EA211/EA211 Evo petrol · EA888 petrol · EA288/EA288 Evo diesel · eHybrid PHEV
Fuel	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid	Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid
Transmission	7G-DCT / 8G-DCT dual-clutch (no manual)	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later)	Euro 6 (early) · Euro 6d/6e (later)
LEZ access	Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent)	Euro 6 petrol/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)

Volkswagen Tiguan

DSG fluid service and shift quality
1.5 TSI cold-start hesitation (early)
AdBlue/DPF on 2.0 TDI (short trips)

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 Tiguan

Roomy cabin and high seating position
Wide, efficient engine range
Strong towing (up to 2,500 kg on 4MOTION diesels)

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 Tiguan

Bigger and heavier than a T-Roc/Golf
Higher consumption on powerful 2.0 TSI/R versions

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 Tiguan

Comfortable, quiet and more car-like than the old Tiguan. The CT1 rides with better body control and noise isolation than the AD1, steers accurately, and feels lighter on its feet despite similar dimensions. Front-drive versions are easy; 4Motion adds traction in poor conditions. The 1.5 eTSI is smooth and efficient with its 48-volt assistance, the 2.0 TDI is the long-distance pick, and the eHybrid covers short trips on electric power. The DSG is smooth; there is no manual. It is a more polished, more digital version of the same formula — comfortable and competent, if still not exciting.