Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Toyota Fortuner
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.
Mercedes-Benz GLA
From $58,900
SUV
Petrol
Petrol
120kW
6.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
435L
Toyota Fortuner
From $53,775
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
150kW
7.6 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
200L
Track the Mercedes-Benz GLA & Toyota Fortuner
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz GLA starts from $58,900 before on-road costs, while the Toyota Fortuner opens at $53,775. That makes the Toyota Fortuner the more affordable entry point by $5,125.
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 $64,790 and $59,153 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz GLA by roughly $1,995 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 Mercedes-Benz GLA features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Fortuner gets a 8-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Toyota Fortuner. The Toyota Fortuner counters with Apple CarPlay. 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 Toyota Fortuner offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 1-zone in the Toyota Fortuner.
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 Toyota Fortuner responds with a Diesel making 150kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The Toyota Fortuner has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 120kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is 0.4s 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, 384mm shorter than the Toyota Fortuner at 4,795mm (2,745mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Fortuner generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 200L in the Toyota Fortuner, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLA a 235L advantage. The Toyota Fortuner seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Toyota Fortuner leads with a 3,100kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 1,600kg 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 11.6m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m 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 $1,767/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLA and $2,166/year for the Toyota Fortuner. That is a $399 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Estimated annual total: $1,767 (Mercedes-Benz GLA) vs $2,166 (Toyota Fortuner). The Mercedes-Benz GLA saves you roughly $399 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLA) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Fortuner). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLA if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota Fortuner if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Mercedes-Benz GLA and Toyota Fortuner trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz GLA will save you roughly $399 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, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Toyota Fortuner?
The Toyota Fortuner is the cheapest at $53,775 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLA by $5,125.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mercedes-Benz GLA 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 Toyota Fortuner has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,100kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Fortuner makes the most power at 150kW. The Mercedes-Benz GLA is quickest to 100km/h in 9.1s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Sign up free for price-drop alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown covering launches, deals and reviews. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
