Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is the quicker road car, reaching 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds against the Subaru Forester’s 9.7 seconds despite giving away 21 hp, and its 5.6 L/100 km rating should appeal to frequent urban commuters. The Forester counters with all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot and a 63-litre tank, useful for longer family trips. Its RM838 annual road tax versus RM100 for the GLA is a major Malaysian ownership penalty, however. Choose based on driving pace and running cost, or space and all-weather traction.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want the quicker 8.7-second sprint, lower RM100 road tax and a 5.6 L/100 km rated economy figure.
Pick the Subaru Forester if you need all-wheel drive, a 496-litre boot and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888; Subaru Forester RM222,689.
- Performance: GLA 161 hp, 250 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds; Forester 182 hp, 247 Nm and 9.7 seconds.
- Driveline: GLA front-wheel drive; Forester all-wheel drive.
- Size and luggage: GLA is 4,410 mm long with a 435-litre boot; Forester is 4,655 mm long with a 496-litre boot.
- Fuel tank and road tax: GLA 43 litres and RM100 per year; Forester 63 litres and RM838 per year.
- Driver assistance: GLA has no lane-keeping assist and passive cruise control; Forester has steering correction and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
GLA
- Quicker 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Rated at 5.6 L/100 km
- 360-degree camera, front parking sensors and navigation
- Front-wheel drive versus the Forester’s all-wheel drive
- 435-litre boot and 43-litre tank are smaller
- No blind-spot system, lane steering correction or adaptive cruise control
Forester
- All-wheel drive with SI-Drive and X-Mode
- 496-litre boot and 63-litre fuel tank
- Blind-spot monitoring, lane steering correction and stop-and-go adaptive cruise control
- Slower 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- RM838 annual road tax versus RM100
- No navigation and no front parking sensors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888 | RM222,689✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM838 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-Valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | 182 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm✓ | 247 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | Lineartronic |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds✓ | 9.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 205 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,655 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,830 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,730 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,670 mm |
| Weight | 1,485 kg | 1,643 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres | 496 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact6 | Falken Ziex ZE001A A/S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | SI-Drive and X-Mode |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee & Front Passenger Seat Cushion, 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| 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 | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map 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 | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
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 & Forester for sale
GLA vs Forester FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA or Subaru Forester better?
The GLA is better for faster acceleration, lower road tax and rated fuel economy. The Forester is better for all-wheel drive, more luggage space, a larger fuel tank and more comprehensive driver assistance.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM258,888 and the Subaru Forester costs RM222,689, so the GLA is RM36,199 more expensive.
Which SUV is better for long family journeys?
The Forester is the stronger long-trip choice: it has a 63-litre tank, 496-litre boot, all-wheel drive and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. The GLA has a 43-litre tank and 435-litre boot.