Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA45S 4Matic+ is the clear performance car: 415 hp, 500 Nm, 4.3 seconds and 270 km/h, plus the panoramic roof and 21-inch wheels. But the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA35 4Matic is RM176,000 cheaper and still has 302 hp, 400 Nm, 5.2 seconds, all-wheel drive, adaptive dampers, the same 435-litre boot and the same active safety list. For Malaysia, that gap is hard to ignore unless the extra pace and CBU Germany build are the point.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA35 4Matic if you want the same cabin space, safety kit and AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers while keeping RM176,000 in hand.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA45S 4Matic+ if you want the 415 hp/500 Nm engine, 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time, 270 km/h top speed and the panoramic sliding roof.
Key differences
- Price: RM363,888 vs RM539,888, a RM176,000 gap
- Output: 302 hp/400 Nm vs 415 hp/500 Nm
- Acceleration and top speed: 5.2 seconds/250 km/h vs 4.3 seconds/270 km/h
- Hybrid hardware: 13 hp motor with 1 kWh lithium-ion battery vs no motor or battery listed
- Assembly: Malaysia CKD vs Germany CBU
- Wheels, tyres and roof: 20-inch 255/40R20 with no sunroof vs 21-inch 255/35R21 with panoramic sliding roof
AMG GLA35 4Matic
- RM176,000 cheaper while keeping the same 4,410 mm length, 435-litre boot and five-seat layout
- 302 hp and 400 Nm still gives a 5.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Gets mild-hybrid assistance with a 13 hp motor and 1 kWh lithium-ion battery
- Down by 113 hp and 100 Nm versus the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA45S 4Matic+
- Slower and lower-limited: 5.2 seconds and 250 km/h versus 4.3 seconds and 270 km/h
- No panoramic sliding roof; the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA45S 4Matic+ has one
AMG GLA45S 4Matic+
- Much stronger 415 hp and 500 Nm output
- Quicker 4.3-second 0-100 km/h time and higher 270 km/h top speed
- Adds 21-inch AMG multi-spoke wheels and a panoramic sliding roof
- Costs RM176,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA35 4Matic
- Does not list the GLA35’s mild-hybrid assistance, 13 hp motor or 1 kWh lithium-ion battery
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 363,888✓ | RM 539,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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, twin-scroll turbocharger with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,991 cc |
| Horsepower | 302 hp | 415 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 500 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT | 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.2 seconds | 4.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | 270 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,680 kg | 1,680 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 435 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/40R20 | 255/35R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R20 | 255/35R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 6 | Continental SportContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" AMG 5-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 21" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy | 21" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers, AMG Dynamic Select | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers, AMG Dynamic Select |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, 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 Outer Two Rear Seats | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projectors | Multibeam LED Projectors |
| 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 | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | 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 | 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 |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| 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 | Qi Wireless Charger, MBUX Interior Assistant |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 436 | RM 436 |
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.
AMG GLA35 4Matic vs AMG GLA45S 4Matic+ FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA35 4Matic or Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA45S 4Matic+ better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA45S 4Matic+ is better for performance. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA35 4Matic is the better buy if price matters, because it keeps the same space, safety kit and many comfort features for RM176,000 less.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA35 4Matic costs RM363,888, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLA AMG GLA45S 4Matic+ costs RM539,888. The difference is RM176,000.
Do they differ in space or safety equipment?
No. Both are 4,410 mm long, have a 2,729 mm wheelbase, seat five and carry 435 litres of luggage. Both also get seven airbags, autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.