Verdict
At RM258,888 each, the choice is powertrain rather than purchase price. The MINI Countryman brings 313 hp, 494 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time, far ahead of the GLA’s 161 hp, 250 Nm, front-wheel drive and 8.7 seconds. Its 66.5 kWh battery is rated for 432 km, with 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging. The GLA counters with RM100 annual road tax against RM335, a 4-year unlimited-mileage warranty and a 210 km/h top speed. For a Malaysian buyer with dependable charging, the MINI is the more capable package.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if lower RM100 annual road tax, a four-year manufacturer warranty and a 210 km/h top speed matter more than EV performance.
Pick the MINI Countryman if you can charge regularly and want 313 hp, 494 Nm, all-wheel drive, 432 km of claimed range and much stronger acceleration.
Key differences
- Powertrain: GLA has a 1,332 cc turbo petrol engine with 161 hp and 250 Nm; Countryman has two electric motors with 313 hp and 494 Nm.
- Acceleration and drive: GLA is front-wheel drive and takes 8.7 seconds from 0-100 km/h; Countryman is all-wheel drive and takes 5.6 seconds.
- Energy use: GLA is rated at 5.6 L/100 km with a 43-litre tank; Countryman has a 66.5 kWh battery and 432 km EV range.
- Charging: GLA has no charging rate; Countryman supports 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging.
- Practicality: GLA has a 435-litre boot and 2,729 mm wheelbase; Countryman has a 460-litre boot and 2,692 mm wheelbase.
- Running costs and warranty: GLA road tax is RM100 yearly with a 4-year unlimited-mileage warranty; Countryman road tax is RM335 with a 2-year unlimited-mileage…
GLA
- RM235 lower annual road tax.
- Four-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- 210 km/h top speed, versus 180 km/h.
- 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Countryman’s 5.6 seconds.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Countryman’s all-wheel drive.
- 435-litre boot is 25 litres smaller.
Countryman
- 313 hp and 494 Nm from two electric motors.
- 432 km claimed range, plus 22 kW AC and 130 kW DC charging.
- Gets blind-spot monitoring, steering correction, active cruise control, auto parking and a head-up display.
- RM335 annual road tax is RM235 higher.
- Two-year manufacturer warranty is half the GLA’s four years.
- 180 km/h top speed is 30 km/h lower than the GLA’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888 | RM258,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM335 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | — |
| Torque | 250 Nm | — |
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 313 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 494 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 432 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 22 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 130 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds | 5.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,433 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,843 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,656 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,692 mm |
| Weight | 1,485 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 245/40R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact6 | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding, Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 6 Speakers | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System |
| 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 Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation | Powered Tailgate, with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years, 8-year/160,000 km 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 GLA & Countryman for sale
GLA vs Countryman FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA or MINI Countryman better?
The MINI Countryman is the stronger choice if regular charging is practical: it has 313 hp, 494 Nm, all-wheel drive, 432 km claimed range and a 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time. Choose the GLA for lower road tax and a longer four-year manufacturer warranty.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference. Both the Mercedes-Benz GLA and MINI Countryman cost RM258,888.
Which has more boot space, the Mercedes-Benz GLA or MINI Countryman?
The MINI Countryman has the larger boot at 460 litres, compared with 435 litres in the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Both are five-seat SUVs with 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.