Alfa Romeo Tonale vs Mercedes-Benz GLA
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Alfa Romeo Tonale
From $56,900
SUV
Petrol
Petrol MHEV
128kW
5.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
385L
Mercedes-Benz GLA
From $58,900
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
120kW
6.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
435L
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Price Breakdown
The Alfa Romeo Tonale starts from $56,900 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA opens at $58,900. That makes the Alfa Romeo Tonale the more affordable entry point by $2,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $62,590 and $64,790 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Alfa Romeo Tonale by roughly $1,140 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Alfa Romeo Tonale features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale stands out with power tailgate that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Alfa Romeo Tonale gets cloth upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLA offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Alfa Romeo Tonale uses a Petrol MHEV producing 128kW and 240Nm of torque, sent through a dct to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA responds with a Petrol making 120kW and 270Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.1 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale has the clear power advantage at 128kW vs 120kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Tonale is 0.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Alfa Romeo Tonale measures 4,528mm long on a 2,636mm wheelbase, 117mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLA at 4,411mm (2,729mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLA generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 385L in the Alfa Romeo Tonale and 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLA a 50L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLA leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m to 11.2m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,539/year for the Alfa Romeo Tonale and $1,767/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLA. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Alfa Romeo Tonale.
Estimated annual total: $1,539 (Alfa Romeo Tonale) vs $1,767 (Mercedes-Benz GLA). The Alfa Romeo Tonale saves you roughly $228 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Tonale) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLA). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Alfa Romeo Tonale if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLA if: You need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Tonale takes 4 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Alfa Romeo Tonale will save you roughly $228 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Alfa Romeo Tonale and Mercedes-Benz GLA?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is the cheapest at $56,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLA by $2,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Alfa Romeo Tonale all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the largest boot at 435L.
Which can tow the most?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale makes the most power at 128kW. The Alfa Romeo Tonale is quickest to 100km/h in 8.8s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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