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.
SEAL holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over GLA.
GLA starts ZAR 106,013 cheaperGLA from ZAR 901,887 · SEAL from ZAR 1,007,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
GLA
SEAL
Maximum Power
GLA120 kW
SEAL390 kW
Maximum Torque
GLA270 Nm
SEAL670 Nm
Engine Size
GLA1332 cc
SEALNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
GLA15.2 km/l
SEALNot Applicable
Ground Clearance
GLA143 mm
SEAL145 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)
GLA
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader
SEAL
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
GLA
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
SEAL
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Model Introduced Year
2026
2024
Generation
Current South African GLA generation represented by derivative GLA 200
First South African SEAL generation
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Suv
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Current South African retail range
Active
Segment
Premium SUV
Medium Sedan
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger vehicle
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Length
4412 mm
4800 mm
Width
1834 mm
1875 mm
Height
1616 mm
1460 mm
Wheelbase
2729 mm
2920 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
143 mm
145 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
220 mm
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
43 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
435 l
400 l
Kerb Weight
1650 kg
2185 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
2631 kg
Payload Capacity
550 kg
446 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
1500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.7 m
5.7 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
920 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1110 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
810 mm
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Engine
1332/L4
Dual-motor battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
M282
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Electric
Hybrid System
48V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1332 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
4
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Direct injection
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
10.6:1
Not Applicable
Bore
72.2 mm
Not Applicable
Stroke
81.4 mm
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
120 kW
390 kW
Maximum Torque
270 Nm
670 Nm
Combined Power
120 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
270 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
48 V integrated starter-generator
Front Induction; Rear Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
1
2
Motor Location
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Front + Rear
Drive Type
FWD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed DCT
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
210 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
8.9 sec
3.8 sec
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
178.5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
306.6 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
82.56 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
0
LFP
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
550.4 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
520 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
11 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
150 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
8 h 36 min (0-100%)
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
37 min (10-80%)
Regenerative Braking
No
Yes
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Gearbox
8-Speed DCT
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front and rear electric drive units
LSD Available
No
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Not Available
Number of Gears
8
1
Transmission Type
8-Speed DCT
Automatic
Clutch Type
Dual-clutch
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic with manual shift mode
Crystal gear shifter
Drivetrain
FWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
No
Automatic electric all-wheel drive
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 Available
Gearbox Type
8-Speed DCT
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
0
Not Applicable
Low Range
0
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: FWD
4x4
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Transmission Speeds
8
1
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Claimed Mileage
15.2 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
15.2 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
15.2 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
66 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
15.2 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Charging Type
Not Applicable
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
66
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
0
520 km (WLTP)
Electric Consumption
0
18.2 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Range Real World Highway
0 km
425 km
Range Real World Mixed
0 km
510 km
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Airbags
7
9
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Not Applicable
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
Standard
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Applicable
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
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
SEAL
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Standard
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Yes
Standard
Around View Monitor
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Standard
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Seat Material
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
Standard
Ventilated Seats
Model/option dependent
Standard
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Synthetic leather
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Electric adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Electric adjustment
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Synthetic leather
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Automatic
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
KEYLESS-GO
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Automatic
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Infotainment System
MBUX multimedia system
15.6-inch rotating touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
13
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
Full LCD instrument display
USB Ports
USB-C ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
MBUX multimedia system
15.6
Touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
15.6
Spec
GLA
SEAL
LED Headlamps
LED High Performance headlamps
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
LED
Fog Lamps
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Sky Black, Atlantis Gray, Aurora White, North Ice Blue, Rosemary Gray, Wind Grass Green
Headlights
LED High Performance headlamps
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Standard
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
13 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
14 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Off-road mode
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
No
Not Available
4WD System Type
No
Electric all-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Tyre Size
255/45 R20
235/45 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
20-inch alloy wheels
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
20
19
Handbrake Type
Ventilated disc brakes
Electronic parking brake
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Front Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Double wishbone
Rear Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Multi-link
Spec
GLA
SEAL
CO2 Emissions
165 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Service Plan
5 Years / 100000 km
5 years/100000 km maintenance plan
Spec
GLA
SEAL
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.
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Price Zar
901887 ZAR
1211900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Starting Price
1050000
1211900
Starting Price Zar
1050000
1211900
Spec
GLA
SEAL
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
In depth: how these cars differ
This GLA and SEAL 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 SEAL 100.
Efficiency index: GLA 63 vs SEAL 90.
Safety-equipment index: GLA 99 vs SEAL 98.
Practicality index: GLA 62 vs SEAL 57.
Ownership-cover index: GLA not separately scored vs SEAL 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 SEAL 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
SEAL leads by 16 points
SEAL holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over GLA.
Performance
SEAL +46
Efficiency
SEAL +27
Safety
GLA +1
Practicality
GLA +5
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
SEAL
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
57/100
GLA
Performance
54/100
Efficiency
63/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD SEAL
leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts
vs 70 pts for GLA
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, SEAL leads. However, GLA 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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