Verdict
The Maxus MIFA 9 asks RM269,888 against the Mercedes-Benz GLA at RM258,888, so the RM11,000 gap is really about format. The Maxus is a full-size electric MPV with seven seats, 1,010 litres of boot space, a 241 hp/350 Nm motor and 435 km range. The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a smaller petrol SUV with five seats, 435 litres, 161 hp/250 Nm and a quicker 8.7-second century sprint. For family carrying, Maxus. For compact premium daily use, GLA.
Pick the Maxus MIFA 9 if you need seven seats, a huge 1,010-litre boot and EV running with 435 km of range.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want a smaller CKD premium SUV with quicker 0-100 km/h performance and a lower RM258,888 price.
Key differences
- Price: Maxus MIFA 9 RM269,888; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888
- Powertrain: Maxus MIFA 9 electric motor with 241 hp/350 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLA 1.3 turbo petrol with 161 hp/250 Nm
- Acceleration: Maxus MIFA 9 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLA 8.7 seconds
- Size: Maxus MIFA 9 5,270 mm long/2,000 mm wide; Mercedes-Benz GLA 4,410 mm long/1,834 mm wide
- Seats and boot: Maxus MIFA 9 7 seats/1,010 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLA 5 seats/435 litres
- Warranty: Maxus MIFA 9 5 years/100,000 km plus 8 years/200,000 km extended; Mercedes-Benz GLA 4 years/unlimited mileage
MIFA 9
- Seven seats and a much larger 1,010-litre boot
- 241 hp/350 Nm electric motor with 435 km range
- Adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist are fitted
- Larger and far heavier at 5,270 mm long and 3,095 kg
- Slower to 100 km/h at 9.2 seconds
- No listed front or rear parking sensors, while the GLA has six at each end
GLA
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time at 8.7 seconds
- Much more compact at 4,410 mm long and 1,485 kg
- MBUX includes navigation, voice control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Only five seats and 435 litres of boot space
- Lower outputs at 161 hp and 250 Nm
- No blind spot monitor, lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 269,888 | RM 258,888✓ |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 161 hp |
| Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 72.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 241 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 350 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Ternary Lithium Battery | — |
| EV Range | 435 km | — |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 120 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.2 seconds | 8.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,270 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 2,000 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,840 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,200 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 3,095 kg | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 1,010 litres✓ | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Side and Curtain Airbags | 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 |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on front passenger and outer two second row seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | 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 Headlights | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED Tail Lights | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Power Lumbar | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | Sliding and Folding Second Row | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents with Blower Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.3" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a 8-speaker 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 & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Entry (Push Button Start) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | — | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Power Door | Powered Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | 200,000 km | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Extended | 8 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 220 | 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.
MIFA 9 vs GLA FAQ
Is the Maxus MIFA 9 or Mercedes-Benz GLA better?
The Maxus MIFA 9 is better for family space and EV use, with seven seats, 1,010 litres and 435 km range. The Mercedes-Benz GLA is better as a compact premium SUV, with a quicker 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
What is the price difference?
The Maxus MIFA 9 costs RM11,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA. That extra spend mainly buys a much larger electric seven-seat MPV, not quicker acceleration.
Which is more practical for a family?
The Maxus MIFA 9 is the family pick. It has seven seats, 7 three-point seat belts, powered sliding doors and 1,010 litres of boot space, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA has five seats and 435 litres.