Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Volkswagen Touareg
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.
Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz GLA starts from $58,900 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Touareg opens at $86,790. That makes the Mercedes-Benz GLA the more affordable entry point by $27,890.
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 $95,469 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz GLA by roughly $1,855 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Mercedes-Benz GLA and Volkswagen Touareg hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 96% for the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 89% for the Volkswagen Touareg.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 8 in the Volkswagen Touareg. The Volkswagen Touareg adds a 360-degree camera that the Mercedes-Benz GLA misses.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz GLA features a 10.3-inch touchscreen, while the Volkswagen Touareg gets a 15-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz GLA stands out with ambient lighting that you will not find on the Volkswagen Touareg. The Volkswagen Touareg counters with wireless charging and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz GLA uses a Petrol producing 120kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.1 seconds.
The Volkswagen Touareg responds with a Diesel making 170kW and 500Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
The Volkswagen Touareg has the clear power advantage at 170kW vs 120kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Touareg is 3.2s 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, 478mm shorter than the Volkswagen Touareg at 4,889mm (2,894mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Touareg generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 435L in the Mercedes-Benz GLA and 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 375L advantage.
For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 2,000kg 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 12.0m
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,710/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLA and $2,081/year for the Volkswagen Touareg. That is a $371 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Estimated annual total: $1,710 (Mercedes-Benz GLA) vs $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg). The Mercedes-Benz GLA saves you roughly $371 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 (Volkswagen Touareg). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLA if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Touareg if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Touareg takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The Mercedes-Benz GLA will save you roughly $371 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Touareg 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 Volkswagen Touareg?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the cheapest at $58,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Touareg by $27,890.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA uses the least fuel at 6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mercedes-Benz GLA and Volkswagen Touareg all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Touareg makes the most power at 170kW. The Volkswagen Touareg is quickest to 100km/h in 5.9s.
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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