Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA costs RM95,000 more at RM363,888, and that buys 302 hp, 400 Nm, a 13-hp mild-hybrid motor and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time. The Volvo XC40 is slower at 6.4 seconds with 263 hp and 390 Nm, but its 460-litre boot is 25 litres larger, its five-year warranty is a year longer, and it carries a space-saver spare. For Malaysian buyers who want pace and a richer cabin specification, the AMG GLA justifies its focus; the XC40 is the more practical, lower-cost choice.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA if 302 hp, 5.2-second acceleration, adaptive dampers and the 12-speaker 710W Burmester system matter more than the RM95,000 saving.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want the lower purchase price, a 460-litre boot, five-year warranty and a space-saver spare tyre.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA RM363,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Performance: AMG GLA 302 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds; XC40 263 hp, 390 Nm and 6.4 seconds.
- Boot space: AMG GLA 435 litres; XC40 460 litres.
- Warranty: AMG GLA four years/unlimited mileage; XC40 five years/unlimited mileage plus an eight-year/160,000-km hybrid battery warranty.
- Wheels and tyres: AMG GLA 20-inch wheels with 255/40R20 Continental SportContact 6 tyres; XC40 19-inch wheels with 235/50R19 Michelin e-Primacy tyres.
- Weight: AMG GLA 1,680 kg; XC40 1,875 kg.
AMG GLA
- 302 hp and 400 Nm with a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers and AMG Dynamic Select.
- 360-degree camera, 64-colour ambient lighting and 12-speaker 710W Burmester audio.
- RM95,000 more expensive.
- 435-litre boot is 25 litres smaller.
- Four-year warranty is one year shorter.
XC40
- RM95,000 lower purchase price.
- 460-litre boot and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, plus eight-year/160,000-km hybrid battery cover.
- Takes 6.4 seconds to reach 100 km/h versus 5.2 seconds.
- Produces 263 hp and 390 Nm, against the AMG GLA's 302 hp and 400 Nm.
- Gets a reverse camera rather than the AMG GLA's 360-degree camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM363,888 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM436 | RM428✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbocharger with Mild Hybrid Assistance and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 302 hp✓ | 263 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 390 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 83 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.2 seconds✓ | 6.4 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,680 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/40R20 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R20 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 6 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" AMG 5-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers, AMG Dynamic Select | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Mercedes me connect, Voice Control, Burmester Sound System, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 12-Speaker 710W Sound System | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, MBUX Interior Assistant | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty |
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.
Used AMG GLA & XC40 for sale
AMG GLA vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA or Volvo XC40 better?
The AMG GLA is better for outright performance and cabin equipment, with 302 hp and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time. The XC40 is better for purchase cost, boot capacity, warranty length and a space-saver spare.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA costs RM95,000 more than the Volvo XC40.
Which has the better safety equipment?
Both have blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and six parking sensors front and rear. The XC40 adds cyclist and large-animal detection to its City Safety braking system, while the AMG GLA has a 360-degree camera.