Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Nissan ARIYA
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Nissan ARIYA scores higher, 73 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 23 Sep 2026
Mercedes-Benz GLA
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$58,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 120kW
- Economy
- 6.2 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 435L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Nissan ARIYA
22 of 27 standard · no option data · 5 no dataFrom
$55,840
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 160kW
- Energy use
- 18.5 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 466L
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 70
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$58,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$55,840RRP
- with the Mercedes-Benz GLA's standard kit: $55,840 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Mercedes-Benz GLA GLA200
$58,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 23 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $249 a week in repayments ($58,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Nissan ARIYA Engage 63kWh FWD
$55,840
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $235 a week in repayments ($55,840 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Nissan ARIYA starts $3,060 lower on RRP.
The Nissan ARIYA currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Mercedes-Benz GLA does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$235/wk(≈$1,019/mo)
Estimate on the Nissan ARIYA at $55,840 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Nissan ARIYADriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz GLA a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 6 of 10 key systems on the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 7 on the Nissan ARIYA.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz GLA
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006325 · published 4 Apr 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the stop rivets on the adjustment rails of the rear seats may have not been installed.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-005401 · published 6 Apr 2022Due to a software issue, the automatic network search of the emergency call system (eCall) communication module may be deactivated.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 11 more on the model page.
Nissan ARIYA
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
87kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz GLA features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Nissan ARIYA gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA stands out with ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Nissan ARIYA. The Nissan ARIYA counters with head-up display, wireless charging, heated front seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz GLA gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Nissan ARIYA offers nappa leather.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz GLA uses a Petrol producing 120kW and 270Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.1 seconds.
The Nissan ARIYA responds with a Electric making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Nissan ARIYA has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 120kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Nissan ARIYA is 1.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz GLA measures 4,411mm long on a 2,729mm wheelbase, 184mm shorter than the Nissan ARIYA at 4,595mm (2,775mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan ARIYA generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 466L in the Nissan ARIYA, giving the Nissan ARIYA a 31L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLA leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 750kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Mercedes-Benz GLA's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 11.0 m against 11.5 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLA costs about $1,767 a year (6.2 L/100km) and electricity for the Nissan ARIYA about $888 a year (18.5 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLA) and 5 years / Unlimited (Nissan ARIYA). Capped-price servicing: no data (Mercedes-Benz GLA), 5 years (Nissan ARIYA).
Where each one leads
The Mercedes-Benz GLA: the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 750kg).
The Nissan ARIYA: the lower starting price ($55,840 against $58,900), more power (160kW against 120kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (466L against 435L).
The Verdict
Nissan ARIYA scores higher, 73 vs 70
The Nissan ARIYA scores 73 to the Mercedes-Benz GLA's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Nissan ARIYA ahead by 25 points), performance (Nissan ARIYA ahead by 5 points). Boot space with the seats up: 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA, 466L in the Nissan ARIYA.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$235/wk(≈$1,019/mo)
Estimate on the Nissan ARIYA at $55,840 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Nissan ARIYADriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Nissan ARIYA?
The Nissan ARIYA is the cheapest at $55,840 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLA by $3,060.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Nissan ARIYA holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz GLA, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Nissan ARIYA has the largest boot at 466L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan ARIYA makes the most power at 160kW. The Nissan ARIYA is quickest to 100km/h in 8s.
Track the Mercedes-Benz GLA & Nissan ARIYA
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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