BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz GLA
Verdict
The BMW 3 Series costs RM265,800, just RM6,912 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA at RM258,888, and the gap buys a stronger 1,998 cc turbo engine with 184 hp and 300 Nm, rear-wheel drive, a quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and a larger 480-litre boot. The GLA answers with SUV height, a lower RM100 road tax, 5.6 L/100 km rated economy, a 360-degree camera, powered contactless boot and a longer four-year manufacturer warranty. Close money, very different shape.
Pick the BMW 3 Series if you want the quicker, more powerful rear-drive sedan with more boot space and stronger driver-assist kit.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want the higher-riding SUV body, lower road tax, rated fuel economy and easier parking cameras for slightly less money.
Key differences
- Price: BMW 3 Series RM265,800; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888
- Output: BMW 3 Series 184 hp/300 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLA 161 hp/250 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BMW 3 Series 7.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLA 8.7 seconds
- Boot space: BMW 3 Series 480 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 litres
- Fuel tank: BMW 3 Series 59 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLA 43 litres
- Warranty: BMW 3 Series 2-year manufacturer plus 5-year extended; Mercedes-Benz GLA 4-year manufacturer
3 Series
- Stronger 1,998 cc turbo with 184 hp and 300 Nm
- Quicker 7.4-second 0-100 km/h time and 235 km/h top speed
- Gets blind spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, head-up display and auto parking
- Costs RM6,912 more
- No 360-degree surround view camera
- Manufacturer warranty is 2 years versus 4 years
GLA
- Lower RM258,888 price and RM100 annual road tax
- Rated at 5.6 L/100 km
- Gets 360-degree surround view and powered contactless boot
- Slower, with 8.7 seconds for 0-100 km/h versus 7.4 seconds
- Less boot space at 435 litres versus 480 litres
- No blind spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, head-up display or auto parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 265,800 | RM 258,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp✓ | 161 hp |
| Torque | 300 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82 mm | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | Steptronic Sport | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | 8 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | Getrag |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.4 seconds✓ | 8.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,709 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,827 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,851 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,590 kg | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 59 litres | 43 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" V-spoke Style 780 Bicolour Alloys | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (5 km/h to 80 km/h) | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors with High beam Assistant | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-Folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Centre Armrest, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Sound System | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Proximity Lock/Unlock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | Yes, for Parallel and Perpendicular Parking, with Reversing Assist | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 379 | RM 100✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
3 Series vs GLA FAQ
Is the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz GLA better?
The BMW 3 Series is better for performance, boot space and driver-assist equipment. The Mercedes-Benz GLA makes more sense if you want an SUV body, lower road tax, rated fuel economy and a 360-degree camera.
What is the price difference?
The BMW 3 Series costs RM265,800, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM258,888. That makes the BMW RM6,912 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz GLA?
The BMW 3 Series is quicker. It does 0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, compared with 8.7 seconds for the Mercedes-Benz GLA, and its top speed is 235 km/h versus 210 km/h.