Jaguar F-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
What's the difference?

Jaguar F-Pace

$42,990 - $108,800

2021 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

$29,999 - $76,868

2021 price

View pricing & specs

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz Eqb250

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLA35

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC300

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2021 Jaguar F-Pace

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

By Laura Berry

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.4L/100km (combined)

7.5L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Great engines
New interior
Window switches relocated

Lovely design inside and out
Terrifically planted and safe
Evocative, flexible performance

Dislikes

No plug-in hybrid
Wireless charging standard only on SVR
Safety tech could be more up-to-date

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

2021 Jaguar F-Pace Summary

Jaguar has announced that by 2025 it will only make and sell electric vehicles. That’s less than four years away and means the F-Pace you’re thinking about buying could be the last Jaguar with an actual engine that you ever own. Heck, it could be the last car with an engine you ever own.

Let’s help you pick the right one then, because Jaguar’s just called last drinks.

View full pricing & specs

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.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2021 Jaguar F-Pace 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Verdict

The F-Pace has been gifted new styling, new engines and more practicality making it an even better SUV than it already was. You could seriously pick any of the grades and be happy with your purchase. Then there’s the question of the engine…

Jaguar says there’s a few more years left in the combustion engine yet, but we know exactly how many years – four, because the company has gone on the record announcing it will go fully electric by 2025. The question for you is – how will you ring out the end of an era – with a four-cylinder petrol, a six-cylinder turbo diesel, an inline turbo six petrol or a cracking V8?

The sweetspot in the range is the R-Dynamic SE 400, with just enough luxury and more than enough grunt.

Verdict

With Mercedes-Benz’s vast number of SUVs, there is room for an urban luxury crossover niche, and the GLA delivers in spades.

Indeed, in 250 4Matic guise, it is that rare thing – a high-riding hatch with dynamics to shame most dedicated pocket-rockets. It really is a hoot if you find the right road, regardless of weather conditions. The Benz has towering talent.

However, even without desirable options like adaptive dampers and a full suite of driver-assist safety technology, the GLA is expensive, does not quite carry off the price tag from an interior quality point of view, and struggles to maintain the degree of comfort and refinement expected from a Mercedes – with or without the $3K necessary to score adaptive dampers.

Still, especially because of the way the GLA looks, goes, stops and steers, if you can afford it, you’ll be rewarded. There’s never been a more rounded GLA.

Jaguar F-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Jaguar F-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
What's the difference?