A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
Hyundai EX-8 Dropside vs Mercedes-Benz GLA: the short answer
Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.
EX-8 Dropside starts ZAR 245,387 cheaperEX-8 Dropside from ZAR 656,500 · GLA from ZAR 901,887
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Maximum Power
EX-8 Dropside103 kW @ 2800 rpm
GLA120 kW
Maximum Torque
EX-8 Dropside373 Nm
GLA270 Nm
Engine Size
EX-8 Dropside3907 cc
GLA1332 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
EX-8 Dropside5.2 km/l
GLA-
Ground Clearance
EX-8 Dropside200 mm
GLA-
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Model Introduced Year
Current local generation year not confirmed
2026
Generation
Current South African EX-8 Dropside listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
-
Facelift History
Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
-
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
-
Facelift Version Ending
Current
-
Body Style
Dropside truck
Suv
Color Note
Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
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Dealer Stock Note
Mid grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Current South African retail range
Segment
Van
-
Tare Mass Kg
2650 kg
-
Vehicle Type
Van
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Length
6620 mm
-
Width
2100 mm
-
Height
2355 mm
-
Wheelbase
3850 mm
-
Ground Clearance (Default)
200 mm
-
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
100 l
-
Kerb Weight
2650 kg
-
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
7800 kg
-
Payload Capacity
5150 kg
-
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Seating Capacity
3 seats
-
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
2 doors
-
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Front Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Rear Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Front Suspension
Not Available
-
Rear Suspension
Not Available
-
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Not Available
-
Power Windows
Not Available
-
Keyless Entry
Not Available
-
Push Button Start
Not Available
-
Wireless Charging
Wireless
-
Sunroof
Not Available
-
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
-
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not Applicable
-
AC Type
Not Available
-
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Engine Warranty
4
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
-
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
-
Bed Extender
Not Available
-
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
-
Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Difflock
Not Available
-
Front Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Intelligent Battery System
Not Available
-
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Not Available
-
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
-
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
-
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
-
Rear Diff Lock
Not Available
-
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
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Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
-
Source Model Column
ex-8-dropside
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Sports Bar
Not Available
-
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
-
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
-
Trim Level
mid
-
Variant Role
Core range derivative
-
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
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Vehicle To Load
Not Available
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Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Engine
3.9-litre Turbocharged Diesel
1332/L4
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Fuel Type
Diesel
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
-
Engine Displacement
3907 cc
1332 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Aspiration
Turbocharged
-
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Maximum Power
103 kW @ 2800 rpm
120 kW
Maximum Torque
373 Nm
270 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
-
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
-
Motor Type
Not Applicable
-
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
-
Motor Location
Not Applicable
-
Drive Type
RWD
-
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
-
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Power-to-Weight Ratio
38.9 kW/tonne
-
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
140.8 Nm/tonne
-
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
-
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
-
Battery Type
Not Applicable
-
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
-
Electric Range
Not Applicable
-
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
-
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
-
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
-
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
-
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Gearbox
Manual
-
Drivetrain Layout
Rear-wheel drive
-
LSD Available
Not Applicable
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
-
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
-
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
-
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
-
Number of Gears
5
-
Transmission Type
Manual
-
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
-
Gear Shift Type
Manual
-
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive
-
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
-
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
-
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
-
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
-
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
-
Differential Type Front
Not Available
-
Differential Type Rear
Not Available
-
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
-
Gearbox Type
Manual
-
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
-
Low Range
Not Applicable
-
Axle Layout
4x2
-
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
-
Transfer Case Guard
Not Available
-
Transmission Speeds
5
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Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Claimed Mileage
5.2 km/l
-
City Mileage
4.2 km/l
-
Highway Mileage
6.1 km/l
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
100 l
-
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
-
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
-
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
-
Real-world Mileage
5.2 km/l
-
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
-
Charging Type
Not Applicable
-
Fuel Tank Litres
100
-
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
-
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
-
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
-
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Airbags
Airbags not listed in official Hyundai EX8 brochure
-
ABS
Standard
-
Electronic Stability Control
Not Available
-
Traction Control
Standard
-
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
-
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
-
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
-
Brake Assist
Not Available
-
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
-
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
-
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
-
AEB
Not Available
-
BA
Not Available
-
Brake Override System
Not Available
-
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
-
Driver Airbag
Not Available
-
EBD
Standard
-
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
-
Hill Hold
Standard
-
Passenger Airbag
Not Available
-
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
-
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
-
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Available
-
Side Airbags
Not Available
-
Stability Control
Not Available
-
TCS
Standard
-
Knee Airbag
Not Available
-
ABS EBD
Standard
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Cruise Control
Standard
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
-
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
-
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
-
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
-
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
-
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
-
Rear View Camera
Not Available
-
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
-
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
-
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
-
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
-
Auto Wipers
Not Available
-
EV Mode
Not Available
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
-
Reverse Camera
Not Available
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
-
Park Assist
Not Available
-
Around View Monitor
Not Available
-
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
-
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Seat Material
Cloth
-
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
-
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
-
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
-
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Steering Wheel Material
Not Applicable
-
Instrument Cluster Type
Digital instrument cluster
-
Interior Colour Options
3
-
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
-
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
-
Fabric Seats
Cloth
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
-
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cabin trim, seating material, screen layout and driver-assistance equipment vary by derivative. Compare the chosen EX-8 Dropside grade before assuming a feature is included.
-
Interior Colours
3
-
Seat Trim
Cloth
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Infotainment System
SYNC
-
Apple CarPlay
Standard
-
Android Auto
Standard
-
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
-
Number of Speakers
Not Available
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument cluster
-
USB Ports
Not Available
-
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
-
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
-
Infotainment Screen Size
SYNC
-
Infotainment Screen
SYNC
-
Multi Information Display
Digital display
-
Connected Services
SYNC
-
Smartphone Connectivity
Bluetooth
-
Touchscreen
SYNC
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
LED Headlamps
Halogen
-
Daytime Running Lamps
Not Available
-
Fog Lamps
Not Available
-
Roof Rails
Not Available
-
Exterior Colour Options
3
-
Body Type
Van
-
Led Headlights
Halogen
-
Exterior Colour Options
3
-
Headlamps
Halogen
-
Headlight Type
Halogen
-
Headlights
Halogen
-
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
-
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
-
Active Exhaust
Not Available
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Approach Angle
Not Available
-
Departure Angle
Not Available
-
Wading Depth
Not Available
-
Terrain Modes
Not Available
-
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
-
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
-
Breakover Angle
Not Available
-
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
-
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Ground Clearance Max
200 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
200 mm
-
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
-
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
-
Crawl Control
Not Available
-
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
-
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
-
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
-
Terrain Response System
Not Available
-
Underbody Camera
Not Available
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Tyre Size
Not Available
-
Front Brake Type
Not Available
-
Rear Brake Type
Not Available
-
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
-
Wheel Rim Size
Not Available
-
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
-
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Service Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
Battery Warranty
4
-
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
Engine Oil Change Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
First Service At
15000
-
Service Plan Duration
3 Years / 45000 km
-
Service Plan Distance
3 Years / 45000 km
-
Alternator
120A
-
Service Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
Service Intervals
15000 km / 12 months
-
Accessory Battery Type
Lead-acid
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Warranty Years
5
-
Warranty Kilometers
5
-
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Basic Warranty
5
-
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
5
-
Warranty Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
CO2 Emissions
Not Applicable
165 g/km
Hybrid System Type
Not Available
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Diesel
-
Spec
EX-8 Dropside
GLA
Ownership Role
Mid
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
Price Zar
656500 ZAR
901887 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current listed price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
656500
-
Starting Price Zar
656500
-
In depth: how these cars differ
This EX-8 Dropside and GLA comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.
Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.
Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.
Model imagery
EX-8 Dropside and GLA image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.
Fail closed
Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.
Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.
What the evidence means
No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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