Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs. Mercedes-Benz GLA
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Mercedes-Benz GLA contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
When we compare the Mercedes-Benz E-Class's and the Mercedes-Benz GLA's specifications and ratings, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has the advantage in the areas of reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class's and the Mercedes-Benz GLA's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: For a new model, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class's price is between $66,841 and $81,482, with the Mercedes-Benz GLA priced between $43,420 and $54,540.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class loses 56.9 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz GLA loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the Mercedes-Benz GLA retains 8.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 8.2 out of 10 while the Mercedes-Benz GLA's quality rating is 7.9 out of 10. This results in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class being ranked 2 out of 24 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the Mercedes-Benz GLA being ranked 2 out of 12 Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is 8.2 out of 10. For the Mercedes-Benz GLA the reliability rating is 7.8 out of 10. This gives the Mercedes-Benz E-Class a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA base engine makes 221 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mercedes-Benz GLA, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
66841 - 81482
Starting MSRP:
63900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
76559
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
48600 - 130700
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
43420 - 54540
Starting MSRP:
41500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
40750
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
26100 - 49900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
66455
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
66455 - 66455
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
50037
Price Range:
47130 - 52398
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
45657
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
29166 - 57767
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
16.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
12.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
9.4 - 16.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.214
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz GLA
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
13.9
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
13.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact SUVs)
13.4 - 13.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.064
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 24Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
4 out of / 18Ranking
11 out of / 18Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 24Ranking
15 out of / 24Ranking
18 out of / 24Ranking
21 out of / 24Mercedes-Benz GLA Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
4 out of / 12Ranking
6 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 12Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
12 out of / 68Ranking
12 out of / 64Ranking
13 out of / 68Ranking
13 out of / 68Ranking
24 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
40 out of / 68Ranking
43 out of / 68Ranking
53 out of / 68Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Trim Levels
E 350, E 350 4MATIC, E 450 4MATIC
Mercedes-Benz GLA Trim Levels
AMG GLA 35, GLA 250, GLA 250 4MATIC
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.062 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
221 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Backup camera:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Backup camera:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57.1 inches
Cargo Space:
12.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
100.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Cargo Space:
15.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
50.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
114.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4134 lbs
Width:
81.3 inches
Height:
57.9 inches
Length:
194.9 inches
Wheelbase:
116.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3605 lbs
Width:
79.5 inches
Height:
63.5 inches
Length:
173.6 inches
Wheelbase:
107.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Cosmos Black Metallic / Night Black
Gray
Mountain Grey Metallic
Red
MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Red Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic
White
Polar White
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Macchiato Beige
Black
Black / Black w/ Red Stitching
Brown
Bahia Brown / Bahia Brown w/ Grey Stitching
Gray
Sage Grey/Black
Red
Classic Red/Black