Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA costs RM363,888, RM55,000 below the RM418,888 Volvo XC90, yet its 302 hp/400 Nm powertrain cuts 0-100 km/h to 5.2 seconds versus 7.7 seconds. The Volvo answers with a far larger 4,950 mm body, seven seats, 451-litre boot and 71-litre tank, making it the more useful family carrier. Its five-year warranty and 8-year/160,000 km hybrid-battery cover also matter. Choose the AMG GLA for rapid, compact performance; pay for the XC90 if third-row seating is non-negotiable.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA if you want 302 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time in a 4,410 mm SUV for RM55,000 less.
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, a 4,950 mm executive SUV body and a 71-litre fuel tank rather than outright acceleration.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA RM363,888; Volvo XC90 RM418,888
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 302 hp/400 Nm; Volvo XC90 249 hp/350 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 5.2 seconds; Volvo XC90 7.7 seconds
- Seats and boot space: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 5 seats/435 litres; Volvo XC90 7 seats/451 litres
- Length and wheelbase: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 4,410 mm/2,729 mm; Volvo XC90 4,950 mm/2,984 mm
- Fuel tank and weight: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA 43 litres/1,680 kg; Volvo XC90 71 litres/2,350 kg
AMG GLA
- 302 hp and 400 Nm
- 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM55,000 lower purchase price
- Five seats versus the XC90's seven
- 435-litre boot versus 451 litres
- Four-year warranty versus five years
XC90
- Seven-seat cabin with third-row 50:50 split-folding seats
- 71-litre fuel tank
- Five-year warranty plus 8-year/160,000 km hybrid-battery warranty
- 249 hp and 350 Nm trail the AMG GLA's 302 hp and 400 Nm
- 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time is 2.5 seconds slower
- RM55,000 higher purchase price
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM363,888✓ | RM418,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| 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, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 302 hp✓ | 249 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 350 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 83 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | 14 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 40 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Volvo |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.2 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,680 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 451 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/40R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" AMG 5-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers, AMG Dynamic Select | — |
| 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 | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projectors | Dynamic LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| 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 | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System |
| 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | 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 & XC90 for sale
AMG GLA vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA or Volvo XC90 better?
The AMG GLA is better for performance, reaching 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds with 302 hp. The XC90 is better for family use, with seven seats, a 451-litre boot and a 71-litre tank.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC90 costs RM55,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA. That extra outlay brings two additional seats, a larger body, a 71-litre tank and a longer five-year vehicle warranty.
Which has the better warranty coverage?
The Volvo XC90 does. It has a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and an 8-year/160,000 km hybrid-battery warranty, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA has a four-year unlimited-mileage warranty.