Mercedes AMG GLA 35 is a sporty 5-seater luxury SUV that is tuned for high-speed performance. On the other hand, Land Rover Discovery is a 7-seater luxury SUV known for its off-roading capabilities and spacious interiors. Both these cars are stunning and feature-packed. However, to understand which is the better choice as per your preferences, let’s compare Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes AMG GLA 35 on the basis of several factors such as features, dimensions, comfort, safety, pricing, etc.
Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes AMG GLA 35: Dimensions
Dimensions play a crucial role in determining the space and comfort of a vehicle. So, let’s compare Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes AMG GLA 35 on the basis of their dimensions now:
| Dimensions | Land Rover Discovery | Mercedes AMG GLA 35 |
| Length | 4988 mm | 4436 mm |
| Width | 2220 mm | 1849 mm |
| Height | 1888 mm | 1588 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2923 mm | 2729 mm |
| Bootspace | 258 litres | 435 litres |
| Ground Clearance | 207 mm | 183 mm |
Land Rover Discovery has a clear advantage over Mercedes AMG GLA 35 in terms of size. Therefore, you can expect a more spacious cabin in Discovery with better legroom, headroom, and shoulder room. Discovery’s also comes with a higher ground clearance whereas Mercedes AMG GLA 35 offers more bootspace than Discovery when all the seats are up.
Summary: Land Rover Discovery is a bigger vehicle overall with higher ground clearance whereas Mercedes AMG GLA 35 has a larger bootspace.
Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes AMG GLA 35: Engine & Transmission
While comparing cars, we must also check the engine specs and transmission. The below table shows a detailed comparison of Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes AMG GLA 35 with respect to engine, transmission, power, torque, and mileage:
| Basis of Comparison | Land Rover Discovery | Mercedes AMG GLA 35 |
| Engine Options | 2.0-litre Petrol (P300)3.0-litre Diesel (D300) | 2.0-litre Turbocharged Petrol Engine |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Torque Converter | 8-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) |
| Power | Up to 296 bhp | 302 bhp |
| Torque | Ranges from 400 Nm to 650 Nm depending upon engine type and variant | 400 Nm |
| Mileage/Range | Up to 13.2 kmpl depending upon engine, fuel-type, and variant | Up to 13.4 kmpl |
Land Rover Discovery offers more engine options whereas AMG GLA 35 is available in only a single petrol engine without the option of the diesel engine. Though both the cars feature an 8-speed automatic transmission, the torque converter in Discovery feels slightly more refined and smoother. The overall power generated by AMG GLA 35 is more but the higher variants of Discovery generate more torque. AMG GLA 35 is also slightly more fuel-efficient but this difference can be negligible in real-world conditions.
Summary: Discovery is better in terms of engine options and transmission whereas AMG GLA 35 offers slightly more power and mileage than it.
Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes AMG GLA 35: Comfort & Features
Comfort and features are irreplaceable factors when it comes to purchasing a car. So, let’s compare these cars on the basis of their comfort and features now:
| Features | Land Rover Discovery | Mercedes AMG GLA 35 |
| Infotainment | 11.4-inch HD Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment system | 10.25 -inch MBUX touchscreen infotainment system |
| Music | Meridian Surround Sound System | Burmester Surround Audio Setup |
| Climate Control | 3-zone automatic climate control (dual zone in some variants) | Dual-zone automatic climate control |
| Ventilated Seats | Front seats are equipped with both heating and cooling function | Only heated seats are available |
| Adjustable Steering | Electrically-adjustable steering column | Electrically-adjustable tilt and telescopic steering |
| Drive Modes | Standard modes such as Comfort, Eco, and Dynamic Terrain-specific modes such as Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand, Mud & Ruts, and Rock Crawl | Slippery, Sport, Sport+, Comfort, and Individual |
| Instrument Cluster | 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with customisable options | Customisable 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster |
| Sunroof | Panoramic sunroof | Massive panoramic sliding sunroof |
| Adjustable Seats (Manual or Electric) | 20-way power adjustable seats with memory functions | Electrically-adjustable front seats with memory function |
| Rear AC Vents | Dedicated AC vents for both second and third-row passengers | Dedicated AC vents for the rear passengers |
| 60:40 Rear Split Seats | 60:40 rear split seats | 40:20:40 or 60:40 rear split seats |
| Cruise Control | Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard Cruise Control |
Both Discovery and AMG GLA 35 are feature-packed cars with comfortable seats. However, some features such as ventilated seats, Adaptive Cruise control, etc. are missing in the AMG GLA 35. Also, the drive modes of Discovery are more suited for off-roading whereas the drive modes of AMG GLA 35 are more suitable for highway cruising.
Summary: Land Rover Discovery offers better features related to technology and comfort than the Mercedes AMG GLA 35.
Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes AMG GLA 35: Safety Features
Safety should be prioritised while comparing two cars. Therefore, let’s compare Mercedes AMG GLA 35 vs Land Rover Discovery on the basis of their safety features now:
| Safety Features | Land Rover Discovery | Mercedes AMG GLA 35 |
| ENCAP Safety Rating | 5-star rating from Euro NCAP (ENCAP) | This model is not specifically tested for a crash test but the base model of GLA has secured a 5-star rating from Euro NCAP (ENCAP) |
| Airbags | Up to 7 airbags | 7 airbags standard across all the variants |
| ABS with EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| ESC | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rain-Sensing Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Hold Assist | ✓ (Hill Launch Assist) | ✓ |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Sensors | Equipped with both front and rear parking sensors | Both front and rear sensors are included |
| Rear Parking Camera | 360-degree HD surround camera | Available with Active Parking Assist |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor Points | ✓ | ✓ |
| ADAS | Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and more. | Attention Assist and Active Brake Assist |
Both cars come with a solid build-quality and advanced safety features. However, with the 360-degree camera and more advanced safety features, Land Rover Discovery is integrated with more advanced safety systems and technologies.
Summary: Discovery is better not only in terms of safety features but also when it comes to handling difficult terrains.
Also Read: Best Mercedes-Benz SUV Cars in India
Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes AMG GLA 35: Pricing Details
Finally, let’s compare these cars on the basis of their pricing details:
| Land Rover Discovery | Ex-Showroom Price | Mercedes AMG GLA 35 | Ex-Showroom Price |
| Base Variants: 3.0 Diesel S and Gemini Edition | Rs. 1.25 crore to Rs. 1.26 crore | AMG GLA 35 4MATIC | Up to Rs. 60 lakhs |
| Mid Variant: Dynamic HSE | Rs. 1.30 crore | – | – |
| Top Variants: Metropolitan and Tempest Edition | Rs. 1.37 crore to Rs. 1.39 crore | – | – |
The Mercedes AMG GLA 35 is available as a fully-loaded single variant. Also, it is much cheaper than Discovery when we compare it with the base variants. Discovery provides more options in terms of pricing range, variants, and feature combinations.
Summary: Land Rover Discovery is a versatile car with more variants and features whereas the AMG GLA 35 4MATIC is cheaper and available as a single variant.
Summary
Both these cars are exceptional specimens of automotive engineering and innovative features. However, the better car can be decided only after considering your specific requirements. Land Rover Discovery is for those interested in off-roading and taking on the hiking trails. Mercedes AMG GLA 35 is for the ones who enjoy a sportier ride-quality with high-speed acceleration.
Discovery offers more of a relaxed driving experience and also commands more attention due to its unmistakable road presence. Mercedes AMG GLA 35 has a more sporty yet elegant kind of design. Therefore, the better car for you depends on things such as your driving requirements, styling preferences, and budget.
FAQs: Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes AMG GLA 35
Q. Which car is more suited for family trips: Land Rover Discovery or Mercedes AMG GLA 35?
Due to its higher seating capacity, comfortable seats, and smooth ride-quality, the Land Rover Discovery proves to be better than Mercedes AMG GLA 35 for family trips.
Q. Which car is more suited for the rural conditions of India: Land Rover Discovery vs Mercedes AMG GLA 35?
Land Rover Discovery comes with an adaptive air suspension, higher ground clearance, and terrain-specific modes. These features make it a better choice than AMG GLA 35 when it comes to navigating the rural roads of the country.
Q. Land Rover Discovery or Mercedes AMG GLA 35: Which car should I prefer for highway driving?
With its sporty driving experience, greater stability at higher speeds, and swift acceleration, the Mercedes AMG GLA 35 proves to be a better choice for highway driving than Land Rover Discovery.
Q. Can I buy the Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes AMG GLA 35 from the used car markets?
Yes, you can buy Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes AMG GLA 35 from verified used car platforms like Spinny. Here, you get a detailed inspection report for each car that verifies it on the basis of ride-quality, condition, performance, and other factors.
Q. Which car has the better suspension: Land Rover Discovery or Mercedes AMG GLA 35?
Land Rover Discovery has been integrated with the adaptive air suspension which offers a more comfortable and relaxed ride-quality. On the other hand, the suspension of Mercedes AMG GLA 35 feels more firm due to its performance-oriented engineering.
