Compare the2026 Mercedes AMG GLAVS 2026 Tesla Model Y

The AMG GLA’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model Y doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The AMG GLA’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The Model Y doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the AMG GLA. But it costs extra on the Model Y.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the AMG GLA’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The Model Y doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

The AMG GLA has standard Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model Y doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the AMG GLA and the Model Y have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 85 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the AMG GLA’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the AMG GLA third among small premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Model Y isn’t in the top three in its category.

The AMG GLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 7 more horsepower (302 vs. 295) than the Model Y Long Range RWD’s standard electric motor.

The AMG GLA stops much shorter than the Model Y:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG GLA can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Model Y doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG GLA has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the AMG GLA flat and controlled during cornering. The Model Y Performance suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The AMG GLA 35 handles at .93 G’s, while the Model Y Long Range AWD pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The AMG GLA 35 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Model Y Long Range RWD (25.2 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 25.7 seconds @ .77 average G’s).

The Mercedes AMG GLA may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 550 pounds less than the Tesla Model Y.

The AMG GLA is 1 foot, 2 inches shorter than the Model Y, making the AMG GLA easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The AMG GLA has 3.5 inches more front hip room, 6.7 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model Y.

An ASSYST PLUS is standard on the AMG GLA to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model Y.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model Y, the AMG GLA has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The AMG GLA offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model Y doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the AMG GLA to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Model Y doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the AMG GLA has a standard rear wiper. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The AMG GLA’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model Y doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

The AMG GLA is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Model Y, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the AMG GLA offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the Model Y.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the AMG GLA equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The Model Y, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Mercedes AMG GLA empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Compared to the Tesla Model Y’s traditional radio, the Mercedes AMG GLA equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

The AMG GLA has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Model Y doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.