Jaecoo J8 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.
Jaecoo J8
From $59,990
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
315kW
1.2 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
200L
Mercedes-Benz GLA
From $58,900
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
120kW
6.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
435L
Jaecoo J8: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h, turning circle and energy consumption.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
The Jaecoo J8 starts from $59,990 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA opens at $58,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz GLA the more affordable entry point by $1,090.
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 $65,989 and $64,790 respectively.
The Jaecoo J8 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Mercedes-Benz GLA, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Jaecoo J8 by roughly $8,545 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.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
34.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 70kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 70kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Jaecoo J8 features a 12.3-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 Jaecoo J8 stands out with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, V2L and Sony audio 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 Jaecoo J8 gets leather-appointed upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLA offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Jaecoo J8 and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Drivetrain
The Jaecoo J8 uses a Plug-in Hybrid producing 315kW and 580Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout.
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 Jaecoo J8 has the clear power advantage at 315kW vs 120kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Jaecoo J8 measures 4,820mm long on a 2,820mm wheelbase, 409mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLA at 4,411mm (2,729mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Jaecoo J8 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 200L in the Jaecoo J8 and 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLA a 235L advantage. The Jaecoo J8 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Jaecoo J8 leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 100kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.0m diameter
Good
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.7 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.8 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $58/year for the Jaecoo J8 and $1,767/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLA. That is a $1,709 annual difference in favour of the Jaecoo J8.
Estimated annual total: $58 (Jaecoo J8) vs $1,767 (Mercedes-Benz GLA). The Jaecoo J8 saves you roughly $1,709 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 8 years / 999,999km (Jaecoo J8) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLA). The Jaecoo J8 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Jaecoo J8 if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Jaecoo's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLA if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Jaecoo J8 takes 5 of 7 key spec categories. The Jaecoo J8 will save you roughly $1,709 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz GLA has a clear edge. The Jaecoo J8 adds peace of mind with a longer 8-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Jaecoo J8 and Mercedes-Benz GLA?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the cheapest at $58,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Jaecoo J8 by $1,090.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Jaecoo J8 uses the least fuel at 1.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Jaecoo J8 and Mercedes-Benz GLA carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the largest boot at 435L.
Which can tow the most?
The Jaecoo J8 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Jaecoo J8 has the longest warranty at 8 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Jaecoo J8 makes the most power at 315kW.
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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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