Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM258,888 to the Toyota Harrier’s RM289,000, and its RM100 annual road tax is RM730 lower. It is also 210 mm shorter yet has a 435-litre boot, 39 litres more than the Harrier. The Toyota answers with D-segment dimensions, a hybrid system comprising a 175 hp 2.5-litre engine and 118 hp motor, plus adaptive cruise control and stronger driver-assistance coverage. Choose the GLA for lower ownership outlay and luggage room; choose the Harrier for size, hybrid hardware and its five-year warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want to save RM30,112 upfront, pay RM100 annual road tax and retain the larger 435-litre boot.
Pick the Toyota Harrier if you want a 4,740-mm D-segment SUV with hybrid assistance, adaptive cruise control and a five-year vehicle warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888; Toyota Harrier RM289,000.
- Road tax: Mercedes-Benz GLA RM100 per year; Toyota Harrier RM830 per year.
- Length: Mercedes-Benz GLA 4,410 mm; Toyota Harrier 4,740 mm.
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz GLA 435 litres; Toyota Harrier 396 litres.
- Top speed: Mercedes-Benz GLA 210 km/h; Toyota Harrier 180 km/h.
- Vehicle warranty: Mercedes-Benz GLA four years/unlimited mileage; Toyota Harrier five years/unlimited mileage.
GLA
- RM30,112 lower purchase price and RM730 lower annual road tax.
- 435-litre boot is 39 litres larger.
- 10.25-inch MBUX screen with voice control and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
- No blind spot monitor or lane-keeping assist, where the Harrier gets both.
- Four-year vehicle warranty is one year shorter than the Harrier’s.
- No moonroof; the Harrier has a full-sized electrochromic moonroof.
Harrier
- Hybrid assistance adds a 118 hp, 202 Nm motor to its 2.5-litre petrol powertrain.
- Adaptive cruise control, steering correction, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic braking.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty plus eight-year unlimited-mileage hybrid battery, inverter and PCU cover.
- RM30,112 dearer to buy, with RM830 annual road tax versus RM100.
- 396-litre boot is 39 litres smaller than the GLA’s.
- 4,740-mm body is 330 mm longer than the GLA.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888✓ | RM289,000 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with dual variable valve timing and hybrid assistance (VVT-iE on intake, VVT-i on exhaust) |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | 175 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm✓ | 221 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 118 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 202 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,740 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,660 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | 1,485 kg | 1,695 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 396 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact6 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L 33 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| 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 | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Braking |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | Bi-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 | 12-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Power Adjustable 4-way Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest, Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Full-sized Moonroof with Electrochromic Function |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights, Cupholder Lights and Footwell 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 | 8" Display Audio with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Six speakers |
| 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 Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation | Powered with Kick Sensor |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes, with 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Front and Rear Digital Video Recorder |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-Year/Unlimited Mileage Warranty for Hybrid Battery, Inverter and PCU |
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 & Harrier for sale
GLA vs Harrier FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA or Toyota Harrier better?
The GLA is the sharper financial choice, with lower purchase price, road tax and a larger boot. The Harrier is better if you prioritise a larger body, hybrid assistance, adaptive cruise control and a longer vehicle warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Harrier costs RM30,112 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Its annual road tax is also RM730 higher.
Which has the better safety assistance package?
The Toyota Harrier has the broader package: blind spot monitoring, steering correction and rear cross-traffic alert with braking. Both have autonomous braking, collision warning, six airbags and a 360-degree camera.