Mercedes recently launched the EQA in India as its most affordable electric car, starting at Rs 66.5 lakh. This model marks Mercedes' debut in the entry-level luxury e-SUV space that includes Volvo XC40 Recharge, BMW iX1, and even its own sibling EQB. Here’s a detailed spec comparison of the Mercedes EQA with its potential competitors in India.
Mercedes EQA vs rivals: dimensions
| Mercedes EQA vs rivals: dimensions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car | Mercedes EQA | Mercedes EQB | Volvo XC40 Recharge | Volvo C40 Recharge | BMW iX1 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia EV6 |
| Length | 4463mm | 4684mm | 4440mm | 4440mm | 4500mm | 4635mm | 4695mm |
| Width | 1834mm | 1834mm | 1863mm | 1873mm | 1845mm | 1890mm | 1890mm |
| Height | 1608mm | 1654-1689mm | 1647mm | 1591mm | 1642mm | 1625mm | 1550mm |
| Wheelbase | 2729mm | 2829mm | 2702mm | 2702mm | 2692mm | 3000mm | 2900mm |
| Boot space | 340 litres | TBA | 452 litres | 413 litres | 490 litres | 500 litres | 520 litres |
| Wheel size | 19-inch | 19-inch | 19-inch | 19-inch | 18-inch | 20-inch | 19-inch |
At 4,695mm, the Kia EV6 is the longest car in this comparison, while the BMW iX1 is the widest at 2,104mm. The Mercedes EQB facelift is the tallest at 1,689mm and the Ioniq 5 features the longest wheelbase at 3,000mm. The Hyundai EV gets the largest wheels (20 inches), while BMW iX1 gets the smallest (18 inches).
It should be noted that the Mercedes EQB gets a 7-seater option, which makes it the only 7-seater electric SUV in India.
Mercedes EQA vs rivals: powertrain, range
| Mercedes EQA vs rivals: powertrain, range, performance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car | Mercedes EQA | Mercedes EQB | Volvo XC40 Recharge | Volvo C40 Recharge | BMW iX1 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia EV6 |
| Motor | Single motor | Single motor/Dual motor | Single motor, Dual motor | Dual motors | Dual motors | Single motor | Single motor/Dual motors |
| Electric motor position | Front | Front/Front and rear | Front/Front and rear | Front and rear | Front and rear | Rear | Rear/Front and rear |
| Power | 190hp | 190hp/292hp | 238hp/408hp | 408hp | 313hp | 217hp | 229hp/325hp |
| Torque | 385Nm | 385Nm/520Nm | 420Nm/660Nm | 660Nm | 494Nm | 350Nm | 350Nm/605Nm |
| Battery | 70.5kWh | 70.5kWh/66.5kWh | 69kWh/78kWh | 78kWh | 66.4kWh | 72.6kWh | 77.4kWh |
| Range | 560km (WLTP) | 535km/447km (WLTP) | 475km/505km (WLTP) | 530km (WLTP) | 440km (WLTP) | 631km (ARAI) | Up to 708km (ARAI) |
| Acceleration (0-100kph) | 8.6 seconds | 8.9 seconds/6.2 seconds | 7.3 seconds/4.9 seconds | 4.7 seconds | 5.6 seconds | 7.6 seconds | 5.2 seconds |
The EQA features a single front-mounted electric motor producing 190hp, making it the least powerful electric car in this comparison. In contrast, the Volvo C40 Recharge and the XC40 Recharge are equipped with a dual-motor setup generating 408hp and 660Nm of torque, along with all-wheel drive capability. Among these, the C40 Recharge stands out as the quickest e-SUV, accelerating from zero to 100kph in just 4.7 seconds.
The EQA’s 70.5kWh battery offers a 560km range as per WLTP – higher than the EQB, XC40 Recharge, C40 Recharge and iX1. The Kia EV6 and the Hyunda Ioniq 5 offer a 708km and 631km range, respectively, based on the ARAI test cycle.
Mercedes EQA vs rivals: charging time
| Mercedes EQA vs rivals: charging time | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car | Mercedes EQA | Mercedes EQB | Volvo XC40 Recharge | Volvo C40 Recharge | BMW iX1 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia EV6 |
| AC charging (0-100%) | 7 hours 15 mins | Up to 7 hours 15 mins | 8-10 hours | 8 hours | 6.3 hours | 6 hours 55 mins | 8 hours approx |
| DC fast charging (10-80%) | 35 mins (100kW) | 32-35 mins (100kW) | 33 mins (150kW) | 27 mins (150kW) | 29 minutes (130kW) | 18 mins (350kW) | 18 mins (350kW) |
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 support up to 350kW DC fast charging, enabling them to charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. The Volvo e-SUVs support up to 150kW DC fast charging, which will take 27 minutes for the C40 Recharge and about 33 minutes for the XC40 Recharge to reach the same state of charge (SOC). The BMW iX1 gets 10-80 percent charged in 29 minutes with a 130kW DC fast charger, while the Mercedes EQA and EQB take approximately 35 minutes using a 100kW unit to reach the same SOC.
Mercedes EQA vs rivals: price
| Mercedes EQA vs rivals: price | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car | Mercedes EQA | Mercedes EQB | Volvo XC40 Recharge | Volvo C40 Recharge | BMW iX1 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia EV6 |
| Ex-showroom price | Rs 66.5 lakh | Rs 70.90 lakh-77.50 lakh | Rs 54.95 lakh-57.90 lakh | Rs 62.95 lakh | Rs 66.90 lakh | Rs 46.05 lakh | Rs 64.11 lakh-69.35 lakh |
At Rs 66.5 lakh for the sole 250+ trim on offer, the Mercedes EQA is costlier than the XC40 Recharge (Rs 54.95 lakh-57.90 lakh), C40 Recharge (Rs 62.95 lakh) and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Rs 46.05 lakh). At Rs 66.90 lakh, the BMW iX1 is priced just Rs 40,000 higher than its Mercedes rival.
The Kia EV6 RWD undercuts the EQA, however, the AWD variant is priced at Rs 69.35 lakh, making it the second most premium offering in this comparison. Priced between Rs 70.90 lakh and Rs 77.5 lakh, the Mercedes EQB costs the highest.
All prices, ex-showroom India
Also see:
EQA's youth appeal to boost EV sales: Mercedes Benz India
BMW iX1 vs Volvo XC40 Recharge: Electric luxury starts here