Mercedes-Benz GLA45 vs Volvo Es90

What's the difference?

A performance SUV should be an oxymoron and is no doubt a niche product. Is it a high-riding hot hatch? Or a mega-potent small SUV?

Turns out the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a bit of both and delivers the thrills of a performance car without any of the packaging or comfort-related issues.

While it is getting a little expensive at over $100,000, its blend of space and pace is hard to beat.

More stylish than ever before, as quiet and refined as you'd expect from a luxury car and yet the stand out feature might once again be safety. Despite seemingly every new car being loaded to the gills with safety features, Volvo has managed to demonstrate industry best-practice and leads the way again.

I would encourage engineers from every other car brand to drive the ES90 to learn how to better integrate the modern suite of active safety features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning.

But beyond that, is the ES90 a car worthy of consideration? Well, pretty much everything it does the EX90 does too, so if you prefer an SUV that’s definitely worth consideration. But if you don’t want an SUV, if you prefer a sedan or just love to be different, the ES90 is a very attractive proposition in more ways than one.

The most obvious tell that the GLA 45 S is something a little special is the Panamericana front grille, an ode to the 1952 Mercedes 300 SL, which is found on all of the German brand's hot models.

But if that wasn’t enough to give it away, the reworked bumper with larger intakes, red-painted brake calipers, lower ride height, black exterior trim and 20-inch wheels should help.

Coming round to the rear, if the AMG and GLA 45 S badges aren’t enough to give away this car’s sporting intent, the quad-exhaust tips and diffuser are sure to give any tailgaters pause.

Our car also came with the optional 'Aerodynamics Package', which adds front fender flicks and a massive roof-mounted rear wing for an even racier look.

If you think the GLA 45 S looks a bit like a jacked up hot hatch, you aren’t far off. Overall, we reckon Mercedes has done a great job at translating the aggressiveness of its A 45 hatch to the larger, higher-riding GLA.

Without the aero package optioned, you might even call it a bit of a sleeper, and it’s certainly more subdued in styling compared to its Audi RS Q3 rival.

In fact, the GLA 45 S might be too subtle for such a hot SUV, at least for our tastes.

Whereas the A 45 S and CLA 45 S get bulky fenders and a hunkered-down, aggressive stance, the GLA 45 S could just blend into the sea of SUVs seen out on the streets, especially without the aerodynamics package added.

Your mileage will vary though, and for some, the subtler looks will be a positive.

Anyone who has sat in a recent small Mercedes should feel right at home in the GLA 45 S, and that’s because it shares much of its interior design with the A-Class, CLA and GLB.

As mentioned before, the 10.25-inch centre screen takes care of multimedia duties, but there are also clicky and tactile buttons underneath for climate controls.

Key to the interior design though is an all-digital instrument display, which is laid out on the high-definition 10.25-inch screen.

With two screens facing you, you might think it’s a bit of information overload, but you can tweak each display to show the information you want.

The digital instrumentation might not be as intuitive as Audi’s 'Virtual Cockpit', but the layout and design of the interior is easy to use and offers owners plenty of customisation to get it right.

Discussing Volvo design will draw different opinions depending on your age. As a millennial, I grew up at a time when Volvos were, to quote a famous movie line from the 1990s, ‘boxy, but good’.

But over the past two decades Volvo has smoothed off those boxy edges and become one of the most style-conscious car companies in the world. It has embraced its now-unique place as a Scandinavian carmaker and uses softer edges and more Nordic design themes (such as light coloured interior woods) to ensure the ES90 is simply a good-looking car.

What it isn’t, at least not technically-speaking, is a sedan. That’s because it has a liftback rear-end design, rather than a traditional ‘three-box’ sedan with a conventional boot. That shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for anyone and it means it’s a far more practical design.

It also sits taller than a conventional ‘sedan’, which is an increasingly common trait for modern European sedans as they try to woo would-be SUV buyers. It’s not a lot, you certainly wouldn’t call it a tall or high-riding car, but it is noticeable.

Ends up as an ‘in-between’ design, neither one thing or the other. The closest thing it reminds me of is the short-lived BMW 5-Series GT, which is damning with faint praise, but it speaks to the challenge of making something that simply isn’t an SUV appealing to the modern SUV-obsessed market.

The very stylish cabin features that previously mentioned light coloured wood (at least in our test car) and that unique Scandinavian look. It’s the closest you’ll get to sitting in a Swedish lounge room on wheels.

The new-generation GLA 45 S has grown in all dimensions compared with its predecessor, making it much roomier and more practical than before.

For reference, it measures 4438mm long, 1849mm wide, 1581mm tall and features a 2729mm wheelbase, but still sports a roomy cabin for four adults, especially in the front seats.

Storage options include decent door pockets that will accommodate large bottles, a deep centre storage bin, smartphone cradle that doubles as a wireless charger, and two cupholders.

Being a small SUV, the rear seats also afford plenty of room for occupants, with more than enough space for head, shoulders and legs – even with the front seat adjusted to my 183 cm (6'0") frame.

There are decent door pockets, air vents, and USB-C ports that should keep passengers happy on long trips, but the GLA 45 S doesn’t have a fold-down armrest or cupholders for the rear seats.

The boot, however, is where the GLA 45 S really starts to make a case for itself compared to the A 45 S.

The boot boasts 435 litres of volume, and can expand to a massive 1430L with the rear seats folded – making it about 15 per cent bigger than the A 45 S – while the higher load height should make loading and unloading groceries a bit easier. 

A downside of the GLA’s tech-focused interior, though, is that all the USB ports are now USB Type-C, meaning you’ll likely have to carry around an adapter to use your old cables.

Mercedes is generous enough to include one with the car, but given most device chargers are still USB Type-A, it is something to be aware of. 

In terms of space the ES90 is very generous, which it should be given it's a five-metre long car. There’s loads of room front and the back so you’ll seat four adults in absolute comfort, and can squeeze in a fifth if needed. Thanks to the relatively flat floor, as well as the panoramic roof that can either be opaque or clear, the cabin feels spacious and bright even in the rear.

As for luggage space, the boot measures 424 litres, and obviously it’s very easy to access via the power liftgate. But it’s still not as big as an SUV. The EX90 offers up 655 litres of space in its five-seat configuration. Which is at least a small part of the explanation why SUVs have become the more popular choice.

But what really stands out in the cabin isn’t the space, it’s the technology. The ES90 Ultra’s multimedia system is centred around a 14.5-inch touchscreen that runs all the car’s key functions; you also get a 9.0-inch driver’s display.

Notably, Volvo has opted to offer Google’s operating systems built-in, which means while you can still run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, if you have a Google account you can sign-in and have your contacts, address book and other details integrated into the car.

It’s a really fast system, too, supported by the most powerful software Volvo has ever put inside one of its cars. Having a big tablet-style screen is great and feels very modern, but if it runs slowly, with lag between commands, it’s not as useful. This Volvo system, particularly the transitions between menus and even the voice assistant, reacts with lightning-fast speed.

Then there’s the sound system we mentioned earlier. It’s a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins set-up with 'Dolby Atmos' and an app called Abbey Road Studios. This app has been produced in conjunction with the iconic recording studio made famous by The Beatles. The speakers and the app were all developed together to provide a superior audio experience.

The speakers themselves are incredibly powerful while staying crystal clear, with the Abbey Road app providing the ability to change the sound between 'Modern' and 'Vintage' settings that make you feel like you’re inside a recording studio.

Put simply, it is as impressive a sound system as I’ve ever experienced in a car.

The ES90 range consists of two models at the time of publication both powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor, with the twin-motor option available on the EX90 SUV currently not offered in Australia (emphasis on the word ‘currently’).

The range begins with the Pure from $88,880, before on-road costs, and is completed by the current range-topping Ultra variant, which we're testing, priced from $107,990, plus on-roads.

That means it’s cheaper than its direct rivals in the luxury electric sedan market. Audi’s e-tron GT starts at more than $200,000, the BMW i5 line-up is priced from $155,900 and the Mercedes-Benz EQE range begins at $134,900. So, even with this more expensive Ultra variant, Volvo has a clear head-start on the competition.

And Volvo hasn't managed that by skimping on standard equipment. The ES90 comes loaded with adaptive air suspension, 22-inch alloy wheels, a comprehensive safety package (as you’d expect from Volvo) as well as an electrochromic panoramic roof, a smart key you can add to your phone and 'Nordico' upholstery - Volvo’s sustainable synthetic leather.

There’s also a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, but more on that later…

Powering the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, outputting a staggering 310kW/500Nm.

This means the new car jumps up 30kW/25Nm compared to its predecessor, explaining (at least in part) the price jump.

The GLA 45 S is also the top-spec version globally. The 285kW/480Nm GLA 45 which is available overseas would be more directly comparable to the old car.

The engine is also the most potent production 2.0-litre on earth, and is shared with the A 45 S and CLA 45 S.

Paired to the engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends drive to all four wheels via Mercedes’ '4Matic' system.

As a result, the GLA 45 S will accelerate from 0-100km/h in a frighteningly quick 4.3 seconds, and carry on to an electronically limited top speed of 265km/h.

This is 0.4s slower than its A 45 S sibling, in part due to its heftier 1807kg weight.

As the name suggests, the ES90 Single Motor is powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that drives the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. The motor makes a healthy 245kW and 480Nm, so the 0-100km/h sprint time is 6.6 seconds - sprightly for such a big car.

As alluded to earlier, there is a Twin Motor, all-wheel drive ES90 variant available in overseas markets, with 500kW, but Volvo Australia is yet to confirm when, or even if that will arrive here.

Official fuel consumption figures for the GLA 45 S are pegged at 9.6 litres per 100km thanks in part to an engine start/stop system.

We managed 11.2L/100km after a few days of testing around Melbourne’s inner city and winding country back roads, but those with lighter feet will no doubt come closer to the official figures.

A performance SUV that can ferry kids and groceries, out accelerate  nearly everything else on the road, and sip around 10L/100km? That’s a win in our book.

Built on Volvo’s 800-volt electrical architecture, the first Volvo to feature the technology, the ES90 is powered by a 92kWh battery that provides up to 554km of driving range on a single charge.

Volvo quotes an NEDC energy consumption of 18.5kWh/100km, with 300kW DC charging able to take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes. A full, empty to 100 per cent charge using a 16A outlet will take 10 hours.

It should be noted that the EX90 SUV will be upgraded to the 800V architecture with the 2026 model year introduction.

If the bespoke styling wasn’t enough of a giveaway, all it takes to realise you are behind the wheel of something special is to turn on the GLA 45 S.

The prodigious engine is fantastic in the A 45 S and CLA 45 S and is no different here.

With peak power coming in at a heady 6750rpm and maximum torque available from 5000-5250rpm, the GLA 45 S likes to rev and makes it feel a little like a naturally aspirated engine in character.

Don’t get us wrong, once the boost becomes available, you will feel that shove into the back, but it’s great that Mercedes has made the engine perform a little more predictably.

Paired to the engine is a smooth shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is one of the better versions I've experienced.

Many DCT bugbears, such as jerkiness at low speeds and clunkiness when putting into reverse, aren’t apparent here, and the transmission is up to the task when puttering around town or when driving spiritedly.

Speaking of which, the GLA 45 S’ different drive modes will easily change its character from tame to wild, with available options including ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport+’, ‘Individual’ and ‘Slippery.’

Each mode will tweak the engine response, transmission speed, suspension setting, traction control and exhaust, while each can also be mixed and matched in the ‘Individual’ drive mode.

However, a missing feature for the GLA 45 S that is found in its A 45 S and CLA 45 S siblings is a drift mode.

Sure, how many small SUV owners are going to take their car to a track to make use of it, but it still would have been nice to have the option.

With three levels of suspension setting, though, the GLA 45 S offers enough variability to be comfortable around town and soak up the bumps thanks to its long suspension travel, while also switchable for a more involved, driver-focused feel.

The GLA 45 S might never corner as hard or fast as its A45 S sibling, but being an SUV brings its own unique set of plus points.

As you’d expect from a luxury, electric car the ES90 is a quiet and refined vehicle to drive. Being a Volvo, the company has used its experience where it matters, and there is excellent insulation from the outside world. Unlike some EVs that lose the engine and hope that just makes things quieter, the ES90 gives you a genuine feeling of insulation from the exterior hustle and bustle. 

Performance is adequate from the single motor but it’s by no means a sports sedan with only 250kW/480Nm and such a big vehicle. But it has the instant response that is an EV trademark so it has all the performance this type of car and the drivers it will attract would likely need. If buyers start banging on the door for more power, Volvo can oblige, but for now it does the job you expect of a luxury four-door.

While it has the sedan silhouette, the taller body and raised ride height on the air suspension are noticeable. You will find yourself looking up at SUV drivers, but not all of them. It’s roughly the same seat height as you’ll find in a modern small SUV, so a slight elevation rather than a big boost.

The ride is what you expect from this type of car. You can adjust the suspension and steering between ‘soft’ and ‘firm’ settings, but even with the latter selected there is a lot of compliance and the ride remains comfortable.

The steering is fine most of the time, but when you have to do parking maneuvers you certainly notice the ES90's steer-by-wire technology. The steering literally feels like an old computer game steering wheel set-up, with very little resistance as the wheel lightly spins from lock-to-lock. It’s not a bad feeling, but it is a bit odd and takes some getting used to.

The ultimate take-away from the driving experience is just how relaxed it is - quiet and effortless are the two words that probably best sum it up.

This is obviously the area that Volvo is famous for, but with seemingly every other brand forced to raise their own safety features over the years, does the Swedish brand still do anything special on this front?

Absolutely.

Put simply the Volvo suite of active safety systems is better developed and better integrated. Every rival car to the ES90 will have a similar list of features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure assist, road sign information and more. But Volvo has made it work so well that unlike rival models, you never even think of turning them off, they don’t beep and bong ad nauseum, they only work if you need them in an emergency - which should be the standard.

One thing to note is the ‘bump’ on the roof (you may see in the images) to house a Lidar system. However, Volvo split with its supplier and has decided to abandon this technology for the ES90. That means the 2026 model year examples will not have the roof bump, but still come loaded with five radars, seven cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors for the excellent coverage of the surrounding environment.

The only thing that stops the ES90 being worthy of a 10/10 safety score is the lane keeping assist could do with some fine-tuning, as it has a tendency to move in the lane slightly too much.

There is no current ANCAP score for the ES90, but the EX90 SUV does, and given the organisation's previous sharing of scores between different models based on the same core underpinnings, there is no reason to believe the ‘sedan’ wouldn’t be just as safe.

Like all new Mercedes-Benz models, the GLA 45 S comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with five years of roadside assist – the benchmark in the premium car space.

Service intervals are every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever occurs first, and the first five services are available to purchase for $4300.

This actually makes the new GLA 45 S cheaper to maintain over its first five years than the outgoing car, which costs $4950 over the same time period.

The ES90 is covered by Volvo’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, which is competitive for the luxury market even if it’s shorter than the cover some mainstream brands offer.

Servicing costs are currently unclear, at the time of publication. Volvo Australia typically offers five-year servicing plans for its models but is yet to finalise the cost for its electric vehicles.

Despite its long history in Australia, Volvo still has a relatively small footprint in this country with only 28 dealers/service centres spread across the country. However, more are planned to expand that coverage in the coming years.