Verdict
At RM296,888, the EQA costs RM38,000 more than the RM258,888 GLA. Its 66.5-kWh battery, 429-km range and 100-kW DC charging make it the choice for a Malaysian buyer able to charge regularly, while 375 Nm dwarfs the GLA’s 250 Nm. Yet the petrol GLA is 0.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, reaches 210 km/h and carries 95 litres more luggage. Its RM100 annual road tax is RM60 lower. The EQA earns its premium through blind-spot monitoring, steering lane-keeping assist, active cruise control and a head-up display; the GLA counters with a 360-degree camera.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you can charge at home or work and place greater priority on its 429-km EV range, 375 Nm motor torque and stronger driver-assistance kit.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want the lower entry cost, a 435-litre boot, quicker 8.7-second sprint and petrol refuelling.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888.
- Powertrain output: EQA single motor with 188 hp and 375 Nm; GLA 1,332 cc turbo petrol engine with 161 hp and 250 Nm.
- Energy use: EQA has a 66.5-kWh battery and 429-km range; GLA has a 43-litre fuel tank and rated consumption of 5.6 L/100 km.
- Performance: EQA does 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and tops out at 160 km/h; GLA takes 8.7 seconds and reaches 210 km/h.
- Boot space: EQA 340 litres; GLA 435 litres.
- Annual road tax: EQA RM160; GLA RM100.
EQA
- 429-km claimed range from a 66.5-kWh battery, with 11-kW AC and 100-kW DC charging.
- 375 Nm motor torque, 125 Nm more than the GLA.
- Blind-spot monitoring, steering lane-keeping assist, active cruise control and head-up display.
- Costs more to buy and has RM60-higher annual road tax.
- 340-litre boot is 95 litres smaller than the GLA’s.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time and 50 km/h lower top speed.
GLA
- RM38,000 lower purchase price and RM100 annual road tax.
- 435-litre boot is larger than the EQA’s 340 litres.
- Quicker 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time, 210 km/h top speed and 360-degree camera.
- Lacks the EQA’s blind-spot monitoring, steering lane-keeping assist and active cruise control.
- No head-up display or parallel/perpendicular auto-parking system.
- Its 250 Nm engine torque trails the EQA motor’s 375 Nm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,888 | RM258,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM100✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,332 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 161 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 250 Nm at 1,620 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 188 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 375 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 66.5 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 429 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11.0 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 100.0 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7G-DCT |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | 8.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,463 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,834 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,611 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,729 mm |
| Weight | 2,040 kg | 1,485 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 43 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 340 litres | 435 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Continental EcoContact6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 19" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | Comfort Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 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 | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes, with Pedestrian Detection (Up To 105 km/h) |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Pre-Safe, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated | Power-adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with 10.25" Touchscreen, Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 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 Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree Surround View |
| Auto Parking | 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 | 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 EQA & GLA for sale
EQA vs GLA FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQA or Mercedes-Benz GLA better?
The EQA is better for EV driving, with 429 km of range and more driver assistance. The GLA is the better practical buy if you want a larger 435-litre boot, lower road tax and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM38,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Which has more luggage space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has the larger boot at 435 litres, versus 340 litres in the Mercedes-Benz EQA. That is a 95-litre advantage for the GLA.
