Mercedes GLA vs. Mercedes GLC: which is better?
Discover the ideal Mercedes SUV for you with our in-depth GLC vs. GLA review guide. Compare visual and performance features to determine which is best
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Narrowed your search for a premium SUV down but struggling to decide between a used Mercedes GLC or GLA?
Besides the very obvious difference in size, there are some other points to consider when comparing these two posh SUVs.
We outline some key factors that could have a significant influence on your decision below, so hopefully you can drive away in a car that suits your exact needs.
Mercedes GLC vs. Mercedes GLA: which has more style?
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The Mercedes GLC is a mid-size family SUV with a sleek and refined exterior. It has a sporty, saloon-like silhouette with a long bonnet, giving it stacks of presence on the road.
There’s an even sportier-looking GLC Coupé model with a sloping rear roofline, similar to the BMW X4, but this is sold as a separate car despite being almost identical to the regular GLC in every other sense.
Its front is dominated by a large, upright grille. The headlight design is also very similar to that of the C-Class, with which it shares some parts.
In comparison, the GLA is a lot smaller. The first-generation model looked a lot like a raised hatchback, but the latest model looks much more grown-up and in line with other crossovers.
The GLA’s design could be described as friendly, with curved and rounded parts and fairly large proportions for such a compact SUV.
What is it like to drive a Mercedes GLA vs. GLC?
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Based on the smaller A-Class hatchback, the GLA is a front-wheel-drive model. This setup is generally good for fuel efficiency and creates a more open cabin.
However, you’ll usually find more four-wheel-drive models available because buyers tend to go for the more powerful engine options. Their front wheels are driven under normal circumstances, with power split with the rear wheels in slippery conditions.
While the industry is moving away from diesel power, it still has an important role to play when it comes to powering fairly heavy cars like SUVs.
A lot of used GLA models come with an efficient 2.0-litre unit, but there are petrols and a plug-in hybrid to pick from, too.
The GLC is only available with four-wheel drive, but it’s a different system to the GLA’s. It’s an always-on system that’s slightly rear-biased, which means it’s both grippy and engaging.
As well as the usual array of petrol and diesel engines, you’ll find plug-in hybrid options with petrol and diesel power, which is pretty rare.
The GLA’s short height and the GLC’s slightly firm suspension mean that neither leans excessively in corners, which can be a negative trait of some other SUVs.
Mercedes GLC vs. GLA interior and technology
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The GLC typically offers a more spacious and luxurious interior, consisting of high-quality materials and a very comfortable seating position.
Its cabin is well-appointed with premium finishes like leather and wood, making it a really pleasant place to be compared with some other more utilitarian SUVs.
If you’re familiar with the interior of a C-Class then the GLC should feel no different, because it’s just a scaled-up version.
The second-generation model, introduced in 2022, has a slick and minimalist centre console dominated by a large touchscreen infotainment system, but even first-generation models have a modern-looking dashboard.
GLA models have equally impressive car tech, including a multi-display setup spanning the infotainment system and a digital driver’s display.
Overall, the interior of the GLA feels noticeably more compact than that of the GLC, but it’s still roomy enough for a whole family.
How big is the Mercedes GLA boot space compared to the GLC?
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The Mercedes GLA has a 435-litre boot. Compared with the A-Class hatchback, that’s a lot more space, making the car well-suited to active and outdoorsy people. PHEV models have a 385-litre boot due to the extra batteries.
However, the GLC has a much larger 620-litre space, which is more than you’d find in many other mid-size SUVs.
Plug-in hybrid versions have a significantly smaller 470-litre boot (not too dissimilar to some other non-hybrid SUVs), but they have much bigger batteries to give them longer electric-only ranges.
GLA vs. GLC: which is more reliable?
When it comes to reliability, both the Mercedes GLA and GLC have earned good ratings from consumer survey reports.
The models themselves both score highly, but Mercedes sometimes only posts fairly average results compared to other, non-premium manufacturers.
Still, Mercedes sells its cars with an industry-standard three-year warranty from the factory to cover any manufacturing issues.
The engines and many other parts are shared across the entire Mercedes range, so everything is pretty tried and tested now.
Used Mercedes GLC or GLA: which should I buy?
The clear difference is size – the Mercedes GLA is good for younger and growing families, but the GLC is a better option for larger families who need to carry more passengers and luggage.
There’s also an important difference in the way that they drive, due to the different four-wheel-drive systems and engine choices, so if you want something a bit quicker and more engaging, consider the GLC.