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Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class vs Subaru Forester

What's the difference?

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Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

$42,990 - $82,995

2021 price

Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester

$35,990 - $55,007

2024 price

Summary

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
2024 Subaru Forester
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Flat 4, 2.5L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
7.5L/100km (combined)

7.4L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Full suite of safety costs extra
  • Some quality lapses inside
  • Ride still unsettled even on optional adaptive dampers

  • Uninspiring drivetrain
  • Price getting steep
  • Potential thirst for fuel
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class Summary

ONE of the great motoring successes of the past decade has been the Mercedes-Benz GLA, catapulting the brand to unparalleled prominence in the premium small SUV field and kicking off the posh little coupe-hatch crossover craze.

Cynics might say that it is essentially a jumped-up A-Class hatchback, much like the Subaru XV is basically an Impreza in stilettos. But while the small German crossover is built on the same MFA2 platform as its smaller transverse-engined Benz brethren, no body panels are shared, granting it a distinct look and personality. Unlike the little Suby…

The H247-series GLA launched in Australia in 2020 is second-generation, featuring a longer wheelbase and appreciably more space, but a shorter overall length than the popular original from 2013. It's also substantially taller.

Here we take a long, hard look at the bestselling GLA 250 4Matic.

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Interested in a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?
2024 Subaru Forester Summary

There’s a new top dog in the Subaru Forester family (without getting into the hybrids, that is), and it’s wearing an STI badge.

But don’t get too excited about it, because this isn’t a full-blown piece of engineering from Subaru Tecnica International - rather a slightly modified special edition based on a high-spec Forester.

Is it worthy of the iconic pink badge? Or more importantly, is it worthy of your money? We’re putting this kitted-out version of Subaru’s likeable family SUV to the test to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 2024 Subaru Forester

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