Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Volvo XC90
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Mercedes-Benz GLA scores higher, 70 vs 67
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
Top CarSorted Score, 70 vs 67
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Volvo XC90
22 of 27 standard · no option data · 5 no dataFrom
$97,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbocharged 48V mild hybrid B5
- Power
- 183kW
- Economy
- 8.1 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 301L
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
$97,990RRP
- no option data for this car
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.
Volvo XC90 Plus B5 Bright
$97,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $430 a week in repayments ($97,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA starts $39,090 lower on RRP.
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 ≈$249/wk(≈$1,080/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz GLA at $58,900 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
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz GLADriva 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. ANCAP's published record does not give the Volvo XC90 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 6 on the Volvo XC90.
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.
Volvo XC90
- REC-006368 · published 23 Jun 2025Due to a software issue, there is a risk that the vehicle’s braking performance may be temporarily disabled if the car has been coasting downhill for at least 1 minute and 30 seconds in ‘B’ mode (in the plug-in hybrid cars) or One Pedal Drive (in the pure electric cars).Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-006319 · published 2 Apr 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may be defective.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2021
- REC-006168 · published 8 Nov 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the brake pedal rod may not have been fastened to the specified torque and could detach.Year range on the notice: 2020
- 19 more on the model page.
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 Volvo XC90 gets a 11.2-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 Volvo XC90. The Volvo XC90 counters with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio. 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 Volvo XC90 offers leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 4-zone in the Volvo XC90.
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 Volvo XC90 responds with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbocharged 48V mild hybrid B5 making 183kW and 350Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.
The Volvo XC90 has the clear power advantage at 183kW vs 120kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo XC90 is 1.4s 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, 542mm shorter than the Volvo XC90 at 4,953mm (2,984mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volvo XC90 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 301L in the Volvo XC90, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLA a 134L advantage. The Volvo XC90 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Volvo XC90 leads with a 2,400kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 900kg 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 1.0 m tighter, 11.0 m against 12.0 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 Volvo XC90 about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $542 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLA) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo XC90). Capped-price servicing: no data (Mercedes-Benz GLA), 5 years (Volvo XC90).
Where each one leads
The Mercedes-Benz GLA: the lower starting price ($58,900 against $97,990), the bigger boot with the seats up (435L against 301L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,767 a year against $2,309).
The Volvo XC90: more power (183kW against 120kW) and the higher braked towing limit (2,400kg against 1,500kg).
The Verdict
Mercedes-Benz GLA scores higher, 70 vs 67
The Mercedes-Benz GLA scores 70 to the Volvo XC90's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Mercedes-Benz GLA ahead by 17 points), value (Mercedes-Benz GLA ahead by 17 points), practicality (Volvo XC90 ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLA costs about $542 less (6.2 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA, 301L in the Volvo XC90.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$249/wk(≈$1,080/mo)
Estimate on the Mercedes-Benz GLA at $58,900 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
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz GLADriva 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 Volvo XC90?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the cheapest at $58,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volvo XC90 by $39,090.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA uses the least fuel at 6.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz GLA and Volvo XC90, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the largest boot at 435L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Volvo XC90 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,400kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volvo XC90 makes the most power at 183kW. The Volvo XC90 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.7s.
Track the Mercedes-Benz GLA & Volvo XC90
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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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