Verdict
At RM258,888 versus RM286,245, the Mercedes-Benz GLA asks RM27,357 less yet gives the easier daily package: SUV body, powered tailgate, 360-degree camera, rear air vents, 435-litre boot and a 5.6 L/100 km rating. The Subaru WRX is the driver’s choice on paper, with a 2.4-litre turbo flat-four, 271 hp, 375 Nm, six-speed manual and all-wheel drive against the GLA’s 1.3-litre 161 hp, 250 Nm and front-wheel drive. The trade is simple: convenience and kit, or power and traction.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want the cheaper, more practical daily car with more listed driver-assist and parking kit.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want the stronger turbo engine, manual gearbox and all-wheel drive more than SUV practicality.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888; Subaru WRX RM286,245
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz GLA 161 hp/250 Nm; Subaru WRX 271 hp/375 Nm
- Driveline and gearbox: Mercedes-Benz GLA front-wheel drive 7-speed DCT; Subaru WRX all-wheel drive 6-speed manual
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 litres; Subaru WRX 411 litres
- Fuel tank and road tax: Mercedes-Benz GLA 43 litres/RM100; Subaru WRX 63 litres/RM767
- Dimensions: Mercedes-Benz GLA 4,410 mm long/1,611 mm tall; Subaru WRX 4,669 mm long/1,468 mm tall
GLA
- Costs RM27,357 less
- Larger 435-litre boot and powered contactless tailgate
- 360-degree surround view, front parking sensors and autonomous braking with pedestrian detection
- Much less power and torque than the Subaru WRX
- Front-wheel drive only versus the Subaru WRX’s all-wheel drive
- No spare tyre listed, while the Subaru WRX gets a space saver
WRX
- 271 hp and 375 Nm from a 2.4-litre turbo flat-four
- All-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual gearbox
- Larger 63-litre fuel tank
- Costs RM27,357 more
- Smaller 411-litre boot
- No listed rear air vents, navigation, front parking sensors or 360-degree camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 258,888✓ | RM 286,245 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | 271 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Flat 4 |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.6 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 1,485 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 411 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| 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" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Disc |
| 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 | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| 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 |
| 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) | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| 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 | Manual Adjustment |
| 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 | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| 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's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 100✓ | RM 767 |
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.
GLA vs WRX FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA or Subaru WRX better?
For most daily use, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is the better fit thanks to its lower price, bigger boot, SUV body and richer listed convenience kit. The Subaru WRX is better if power, manual shifting and all-wheel drive matter most.
What is the price difference?
The Subaru WRX costs RM286,245, while the Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM258,888. That makes the Subaru RM27,357 more expensive.
Which is more practical for family use?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the edge: five doors, a 435-litre boot, 40:20:40 split rear seats, rear air vents and a powered contactless tailgate. The Subaru WRX has four doors, a 411-litre boot and 60:40 split rear seats.