Verdict
For Malaysian buyers, the RM274,888 CLA Electric undercuts the RM296,888 EQA by RM22,000 while bringing 268 hp, an 85 kWh battery and a claimed 748 km range. The EQA counters with SUV bodywork, five doors, a head-up display and heated memory front seats, but its 66.5 kWh battery manages 429 km and DC charging peaks at 100 kW. The CLA is also quicker at 6.7 seconds to 100 km/h versus 8.9 seconds, with a larger 405-litre boot. Its RM260 annual road tax is RM100 higher, however.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric if you want the lower purchase price, 748 km claimed range and 320 kW DC charging.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you specifically want an SUV with five doors, heated memory front seats and a head-up display.
Key differences
- Price: CLA Electric RM274,888; EQA RM296,888.
- Battery and range: CLA Electric 85 kWh and 748 km; EQA 66.5 kWh and 429 km.
- DC charging: CLA Electric 320 kW; EQA 100 kW.
- Performance: CLA Electric 268 hp and 6.7 seconds to 100 km/h; EQA 188 hp and 8.9 seconds.
- Boot space: CLA Electric 405 litres; EQA 340 litres.
- Body and road tax: CLA Electric is a four-door sedan at RM260/year; EQA is a five-door SUV at RM160/year.
CLA Electric
- RM22,000 lower purchase price
- 85 kWh battery with 748 km claimed range
- 320 kW DC charging and 405-litre boot
- RM260 annual road tax versus the EQA's RM160
- No head-up display or heated memory front seats
- Cannot use 400V DC chargers
EQA
- SUV body with five doors
- Heated memory front seats and head-up display
- RM160 annual road tax
- RM22,000 dearer to buy
- 429 km claimed range versus 748 km
- 100 kW DC charging and a 340-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM274,888✓ | RM296,888 |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260 | RM160✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | MMA platform, 800V architecture; no 400V DC charger compatibility | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 268 hp✓ | 188 hp |
| Motor Torque | 335 Nm | 375 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 85 kWh✓ | 66.5 kWh |
| EV Range | 748 km✓ | 429 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | 11.0 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 320 kW✓ | 100.0 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Two-speed Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Two-speed Automatic | — |
| Gears | 2 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds✓ | 8.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,463 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,620 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,790 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 1,980 kg | 2,040 kg |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres✓ | 340 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtains, Driver Knee and Centre) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Evasive Steering Assist | Yes, Active Brake Assist |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Traffic Sign Recognition, Curve Speed Reduction, Emergency Stop Assist, Parking AEB, Evasive Steering Assist. MB.Drive Assist (Level 2, adds lane centring and auto lane change) is a subscription: RM169/month (first month free), RM1,690/12 months or RM4,059/36 months incl. service tax | Pre-Safe, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED with Adaptive High Beam and Illuminated Star DRL | Adaptive LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED with Starry Motif | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Sports Seats, Artico Faux Leather with Dinamica Microfibre | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, with Heat-rejection Coating (no sunshade) | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | 64-colour Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | MBUX Superscreen: 10.25" Cluster + Twin 14" Touchscreens, MB.OS, 8 Speakers, Qi Wireless Charging | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Hands-free Powered Boot Lid | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, with Park Assist | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | Battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km | 8 Years/160,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used CLA Electric & EQA for sale
CLA Electric vs EQA FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric or Mercedes-Benz EQA better?
The CLA Electric is the stronger buy on price, range, charging, acceleration and boot space. Choose the EQA only if its SUV body, five-door access, head-up display and heated memory front seats matter more to you.
What is the price difference?
The EQA costs RM22,000 more than the CLA Electric. It does not return more battery capacity, range, DC charging speed or boot space for that extra outlay.
Which Mercedes EV charges faster?
The CLA Electric has a 320 kW DC charging rating, against 100 kW for the EQA, while both have 11 kW AC charging. However, the CLA Electric does not support 400V DC charger compatibility.
