Spec comparison: Volvo XC40 Vs Mercedes-Benz GLA

Volvo will add a new car to its line-up later this year in the form of the XC40. It’s a global size compact SUV and as its name suggests, it is positioned below the XC60 in the Swedish automaker’s offerings. The car was shown as a concept two years ago and is Volvo’s new entry into the premium volumes game. 

Exterior 

In concept, both cars have the same purpose. They are entry-level models designed to open the brand to buyers and give them an overview of what they can expect in a higher form if they go for the more expensive models from the brand. The GLA gets all the design highlights seen in the GLC SUV, but it is scaled down to match the size of the car. Highlights of this include the two-slat avant-garde grille, chunky rear-end and signature rectangular tail lamps with chrome strips running through the middle. 

The XC40 copies the design philosophy of its elder siblings. The language is a combination of traditional SUV with the sleek lines that defined the range of the new Volvo in the last few years. Highlights here include the Thor hammer headlamps, black cladding running around the sides and sickle-shaped vertical tail lamps that give the XC40 its signature look. An added advantage for the XC40 is that Volvo is launching it with an R-design package right from the beginning.  

Interior 

Where both the cars matched up in terms of exteriors, the cabin of both vehicles are as different as chalk and cheese. The GLA’s cabin relies heavily on buttons and there seems to be one for everything. Its infotainment system gets a floating display while the instrument cluster gets a full colour display for the information screen in the centre. 

Volvo’s latest design language for the cabin is all about minimalism and that is very evident as the dashboard is uncluttered and gets a massive touchscreen system that dominates most of the centre console. In fact, the only buttons visible on the dashboard are those to control the infotainment system. 

Dimension wise both cars are evenly matched and offer roughly the same levels of space and storage spaces all over. However, the XC40 has more boot space as it is a taller vehicle compared to the GLA. 

Engines and gearbox 

The XC40 gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel for the Indian market. This engine produces 190bhp/400Nm. AWD is standard while the only gearbox option is an eight-speed AT and unlike the XC90 and XC60 that have air suspensions this one gets a standard steel suspension. 

The GLAs heart is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder plant producing 134bhp/300Nm with a seven-speed manual sending power to the front wheels. There’s also an AWD powered variant available but here the engine produces 168bhp/350Nm. The GLA can also be had as a petrol and here the engine produces 181bhp/300Nm and is only offered with FWD. 

Price

The GLA range is priced from Rs 31 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) to Rs 38 lakhs. We expect that Volvo will price the XC40 in a similar bracket but in a higher price range than the V40 set of cars.