Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

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.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Mercedes-Benz GLA features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-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 Subaru Forester. The Subaru Forester counters with wireless charging and heated front seats. 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 Subaru Forester offers cloth.

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 Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Subaru Forester has the clear power advantage at 136kW vs 120kW. 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, 244mm shorter than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLA generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Subaru Forester a 61L advantage.

For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg 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 Subaru Forester's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.0 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 fuel for the Subaru Forester about $2,252 a year (7.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $485 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLA) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Forester). Capped-price servicing: no data (Mercedes-Benz GLA), 5 years (Subaru Forester).

Where each one leads

The Mercedes-Benz GLA: lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,767 a year against $2,252).

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $58,900), more power (136kW against 120kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (496L against 435L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,500kg).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 70

The Subaru Forester scores 76 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 (Subaru Forester ahead by 29 points), fuel economy (Mercedes-Benz GLA ahead by 15 points), practicality (Subaru Forester ahead by 9 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLA costs about $485 less (6.2 L/100km against 7.9 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA, 496L in the Subaru Forester.

Common questions