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.
Mercedes-Benz GLA vs Suzuki Swift: the short answer
GLA holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Swift.
Swift starts ZAR 672,987 cheaperGLA from ZAR 901,887 · Swift from ZAR 228,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
GLA
Swift
Maximum Power
GLA120 kW
Swift60 kW
Maximum Torque
GLA270 Nm
Swift113 Nm
Engine Size
GLA1332 cc
Swift1197 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
GLA15.2 km/l
Swift18.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
GLA143 mm
Swift0 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
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Swift
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
GLA
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Swift
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
Swift
Model Introduced Year
2026
2026
Generation
Current South African GLA generation represented by derivative GLA 200
Current market generation
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Current market specification
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Suv
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Current South African retail range
active
Segment
Premium SUV
Hatchback
Vehicle Type
SUV
Hatchback
Spec
GLA
Swift
Length
4412 mm
3860 mm
Width
1834 mm
1735 mm
Height
1616 mm
1520 mm
Wheelbase
2729 mm
2450 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
143 mm
0 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
220 mm
150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
43 l
37 l
Boot/Cargo Space
435 l
265 l
Kerb Weight
1650 kg
920 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
1380 kg
Payload Capacity
550 kg
460 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
500 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
5.2 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
950 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
900 mm
Spec
GLA
Swift
Engine
1332/L4
1.2-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
M282
Z12E/K12
Fuel Type
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
48V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1332 cc
1197 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Direct injection
Multi-point fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.6:1
12.0:1
Bore
72.2 mm
73.0 mm
Stroke
81.4 mm
85.0 mm
Maximum Power
120 kW
60 kW
Maximum Torque
270 Nm
113 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
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
8-Speed DCT
CVT
Top Speed
210 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
8.9 sec
12.0 sec
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
18.0 sec
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
65.2 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
122.8 Nm/tonne
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
Swift
Gearbox
8-Speed DCT
CVT automatic
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
2WD
LSD Available
No
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
No
Paddle Shifters
Yes
No
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
4.3
Number of Gears
8
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
8-Speed DCT
CVT automatic
Clutch Type
Dual-clutch
Torque converter / CVT
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic with manual shift mode
Floor-mounted selector
Drivetrain
FWD
2WD
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
No
Front Differential Lock
No
No
Gearbox Type
8-Speed DCT
CVT automatic
Low Range Ratio
0
Not Applicable
Low Range
0
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: FWD
Front driven axle
Rear Differential Lock
No
No
Transmission Speeds
8
Not Applicable
Spec
GLA
Swift
Claimed Mileage
15.2 km/l
18.2 km/l
City Mileage
15.2 km/l
16.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
15.2 km/l
19.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
66 l
37 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 6 equivalent
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Yes
Real-world Mileage
15.2 km/l
18.2 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
66
37
Combined Driving Range
0
700
Electric Consumption
0
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
0 km
650 km
Range Real World Mixed
0 km
600 km
Spec
GLA
Swift
Airbags
7
6
ABS
Yes
Not Applicable
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Yes
No
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Applicable
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
BA
Yes
Yes
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Not Applicable
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Side Airbags
Yes
Yes
Stability Control
Yes
Yes
TCS
Yes
Yes
Knee Airbag
Yes
No
ABS EBD
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
GLA
Swift
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not Applicable
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Ventilated disc brakes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Not Applicable
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Yes
Park Assist
Yes
Yes
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Applicable
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Yes
Spec
GLA
Swift
Seat Material
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Fabric upholstery
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
No
Ventilated Seats
Model/option dependent
No
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
No
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual adjustment
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Fabric upholstery
Spec
GLA
Swift
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Yes
Yes
Keyless Entry
KEYLESS-GO
Yes
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes
Yes
Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
No
Electric Tailgate
Yes
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Not Applicable
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control
Spec
GLA
Swift
Infotainment System
MBUX multimedia system
Touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
13
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
Digital instrument display
USB Ports
USB-C ports
USB-A / USB-C
Infotainment Screen
MBUX multimedia system
9
Touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
9
Spec
GLA
Swift
LED Headlamps
LED High Performance headlamps
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
LED
Fog Lamps
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Yes
Roof Rails
Yes
No
Exterior Colour Options
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Headlights
LED High Performance headlamps
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
No
Spec
GLA
Swift
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Off-road mode
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
No
No
4WD System Type
No
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
GLA
Swift
Tyre Size
255/45 R20
195/60 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
20-inch alloy wheels
Space-saver spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
20
16
Handbrake Type
Ventilated disc brakes
Manual parking brake
Spec
GLA
Swift
Front Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Torsion beam
Spec
GLA
Swift
CO2 Emissions
165 g/km
125 g/km
Spec
GLA
Swift
Service Plan
5 Years / 100000 km
5 Years / 90000 km
Spec
GLA
Swift
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.
Suzuki ownership programme
Price Zar
901887 ZAR
312500 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Starting Price
1050000
312500
Starting Price Zar
1050000
312500
Spec
GLA
Swift
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
5 Years / 200000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This GLA and Swift 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 Swift 23.
Efficiency index: GLA 63 vs Swift 69.
Safety-equipment index: GLA 99 vs Swift 87.
Practicality index: GLA 62 vs Swift 42.
Ownership-cover index: GLA not separately scored vs Swift 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 Swift 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 16 points
GLA holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Swift.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
GLA
Performance
54/100
Efficiency
63/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
62/100
Swift
Performance
23/100
Efficiency
69/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
42/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMercedes-Benz GLA
leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts
vs 54 pts for Swift
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, GLA leads. However, Swift 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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