Verdict
For RM248,888, the Volvo EC40 undercuts the RM258,888 Mercedes-Benz GLA by RM10,000 while bringing 235 hp, 420 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 70 kWh battery rated for 488 km. Its 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time and adaptive cruise control with steering assist make it the stronger technical choice. The GLA answers with a 435-litre boot, 22 litres more luggage room, a 2,729 mm wheelbase and RM100 annual road tax versus RM220. Pick petrol convenience and luggage flexibility; pick the EC40 if charging suits your routine.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you need the larger 435-litre boot, prefer petrol refuelling and want lower RM100 annual road tax.
Pick the Volvo EC40 if you can charge regularly and want 235 hp, 420 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 488 km EV range.
Key differences
- Power and torque: Mercedes-Benz GLA has 161 hp and 250 Nm; Volvo EC40 has 235 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz GLA takes 8.7 seconds; Volvo EC40 takes 7.3 seconds.
- Driveline: Mercedes-Benz GLA is front-wheel drive; Volvo EC40 is all-wheel drive.
- Luggage space: Mercedes-Benz GLA has a 435-litre boot; Volvo EC40 has a 413-litre boot.
- Annual road tax: Mercedes-Benz GLA costs RM100; Volvo EC40 costs RM220.
- Size: Mercedes-Benz GLA is 4,410 mm long and 1,834 mm wide; Volvo EC40 is 4,440 mm long and 1,873 mm wide.
GLA
- 435-litre boot, 22 litres larger than the EC40's
- RM100 annual road tax and rated 5.6 L/100 km economy
- 40:20:40 rear seat split and front-seat memory function
- 161 hp, 250 Nm and an 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time trail the EC40
- Front-wheel drive instead of the EC40's all-wheel-drive layout
- No blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist; cruise control is passive
EC40
- 235 hp, 420 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- 70 kWh battery with 488 km range, 11 kW AC and 200 kW DC charging
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go, plus auto parking
- 413-litre boot is 22 litres smaller than the GLA's
- RM220 annual road tax is RM120 higher
- Power-adjustable front seats lack the GLA's memory function
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM258,888 | RM248,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM220 |
| 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 | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 235 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 420 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 70 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 488 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 200 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | — |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Volvo |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds | 7.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 5.6 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,873 mm |
| Height | 1,611 mm | 1,582 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,485 kg | 2,185 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 43 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 435 litres✓ | 413 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 255/45R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact6 | Continental EcoContact 6 VOL |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | Sports Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 | Electronic for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear 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 with Auto High Beam |
| 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 | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Fixed Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1x 12V in front, 2x USB-C front, 2x USB-C rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| 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" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | — | No |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 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 & EC40 for sale
GLA vs EC40 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA or Volvo EC40 better?
The Volvo EC40 is better for performance, all-wheel drive, EV range and driver assistance. Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLA if its larger 435-litre boot, petrol powertrain and lower annual road tax matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo EC40 costs RM10,000 less than the Mercedes-Benz GLA: RM248,888 versus RM258,888.
Which one is quicker and has the longer warranty?
The Volvo EC40 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds versus 8.7 seconds. It has a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty; the GLA has a four-year unlimited-mileage warranty.