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.
GLA and J5 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
J5 starts ZAR 561,987 cheaperGLA from ZAR 901,887 · J5 from ZAR 339,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
GLA
J5
Maximum Power
GLA120 kW
J5115 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
GLA270 Nm
J5230 Nm
Engine Size
GLA1332 cc
J51500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
GLA15.2 km/l
J513.3 km/l
Ground Clearance
GLA143 mm
J5174 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Mercedes-Benz GLA
GLA 200
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
GLA
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
J5
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
GLA
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
J5
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
GLA
J5
Model Introduced Year
2026
2026
Generation
Current South African GLA generation represented by derivative GLA 200
Current South Africa J5 range
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Suv
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Current South African retail range
active
Segment
Premium SUV
SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
Not Available
Spec
GLA
J5
Length
4412 mm
4380 mm
Width
1834 mm
1860 mm
Height
1616 mm
1650 mm
Wheelbase
2729 mm
2620 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
143 mm
174 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
220 mm
175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
43 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
435 l
480 l
Kerb Weight
1650 kg
1435 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
1852 kg
Payload Capacity
550 kg
440 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
1175 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.7 m
5.4 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1005 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
975 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1045 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
900 mm
Spec
GLA
J5
Engine
1332/L4
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
M282
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
48V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1332 cc
1500 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Petrol injection
Compression Ratio
10.6:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
72.2 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
81.4 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
120 kW
115 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
270 Nm
230 Nm
Combined Power
120 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
270 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
48 V integrated starter-generator
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed DCT
CVT
Top Speed
210 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
8.9 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
0
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
No
Not Applicable
Spec
GLA
J5
Gearbox
8-Speed DCT
CVT
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
FWD
LSD Available
No
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
CVT
Transmission Type
8-Speed DCT
Automatic
Clutch Type
Dual-clutch
Automatic clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic with manual shift mode
Electric
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
No
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
0
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
0
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
No
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
8-Speed DCT
CVT
Low Range Ratio
0
Not Applicable
Low Range
0
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: FWD
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
CVT
Spec
GLA
J5
Claimed Mileage
15.2 km/l
13.3 km/l
City Mileage
15.2 km/l
10.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.2 km/l
15.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
66 l
51 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
15.2 km/l
13.3 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
66
51
Combined Driving Range
0
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
0
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
0 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
0 km
Not Applicable
Spec
GLA
J5
Airbags
7
Multiple airbags
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Not Available
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
GLA
J5
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Yes
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Not Available
Spec
GLA
J5
Seat Material
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Fabric or cloth trim
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Model/option dependent
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Polyurethane / synthetic
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Fabric
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Spec
GLA
J5
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Manual / automatic by trim
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
KEYLESS-GO
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Not Available
Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Not Available
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Manual / automatic by trim
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
1284 l
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
GLA
J5
Infotainment System
MBUX multimedia system
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
13
4-6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
Standard
USB Ports
USB-C ports
Front and rear USB where listed
Infotainment Screen
MBUX multimedia system
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Spec
GLA
J5
LED Headlamps
LED High Performance headlamps
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
Standard
Fog Lamps
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Not Available
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, model green, olive grey, moonlight silver and two-tone colours where listed.
Headlights
LED High Performance headlamps
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Not Available
Spec
GLA
J5
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Off-road mode
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
No
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
174 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
174 mm
Spec
GLA
J5
Tyre Size
255/45 R20
18-inch alloy
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
20-inch alloy wheels
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
20
18-inch alloy
Handbrake Type
Ventilated disc brakes
Electronic parking brake
Spec
GLA
J5
Front Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Multi-link
Front Track Width
-
Not Available
Rear Track Width
-
Not Available
Spec
GLA
J5
CO2 Emissions
165 g/km
172.4 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
GLA
J5
Service Plan
5 Years / 100000 km
5 Year / 75 000 km
Spec
GLA
J5
Ownership Role
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
entry-value
Price Zar
901887 ZAR
339900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
entry-value
Starting Price
1050000
339900
Starting Price Zar
1050000
339900
Spec
GLA
J5
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
5 Year / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This GLA and J5 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: GLA 54 vs J5 49.
Efficiency index: GLA 63 vs J5 52.
Safety-equipment index: GLA 99 vs J5 91.
Practicality index: GLA 62 vs J5 60.
Ownership-cover index: GLA not separately scored vs J5 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
GLA and J5 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
GLA leads by 7 points
GLA and J5 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
GLA
Performance
54/100
Efficiency
63/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
62/100
J5
Performance
49/100
Efficiency
52/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
60/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMercedes-Benz GLA
leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts
vs 63 pts for J5
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, GLA leads. However, J5 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
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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