VS
At a Glance
Power
148 kW
130 kW
Torque
440 Nm
270 Nm
Fuel
6.0 l/100km
7.3 l/100km
Towing
2000 Kg
—
0-100 km/h
9.7 s
8.9 s
Engine
2151 cc
1332 cc
Choosing between the Kia Sorento and the Mercedes-Benz GLA is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Sorento delivers 148 kW while the Mercedes-Benz GLA produces 130 kW. On fuel, the Sorento returns 6.0 l/100km while the GLA uses 7.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R1 199 995 for the Sorento and R913 640 for the GLA. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
148 kW
130 kW
Torque
440 Nm
270 Nm
0-100 kph
9.7 s
8.9 s
Top Speed
201 Km/h
210 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2151 cc
1332 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
7
Drive Wheels
all
front
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
6.0 l/100km
7.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
43 l
CO2 Emissions
158 g/km
165 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4815 mm
4412 mm
Width
1900 mm
1834-2020 mm
Height
1700 mm
1616 mm
Wheelbase
2815 mm
2729 mm
Ground Clearance
176 mm
143 mm
Kerb Weight
1894 Kg
1491 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
7
5
Load Volume
179-608-813-1966 l
—
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
2000 Kg
—
Load Capacity
—
525 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
8
7 (opt 9)
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
Optional
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
Optional
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
Optional
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
Optional
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
Optional
Tow Bar
—
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
2
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
unlimited Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
—
Service Plan Years
6
—
Service Intervals
15000
service interval indicator max 20000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Sorento
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Sorento
Fuel Economy
Sorento
Value
GLA
Practicality
Sorento
Pros & Cons
Kia Sorento
More powerful engine (148 kW)
Better fuel economy (6.0 l/100km)
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Lower starting price (R913 640)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (8.9 ss)
Higher fuel consumption (7.3 l/100km)
Less power than rival (130 kW vs 148 kW)
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Sorento or GLA?
The Sorento uses 6.0 l/100km and the GLA uses 7.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Sorento is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Sorento or GLA?
The Sorento produces 148 kW and 440 Nm of torque while the GLA delivers 130 kW and 270 Nm of torque. The Sorento is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Sorento and GLA?
The Sorento starts from R1 199 995 and the GLA from R913 640. The GLA is cheaper by R286 355 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Sorento or GLA?
The Sorento has a braked towing capacity of 2000 Kg and the GLA can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Sorento or the GLA?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.