Verdict
The EQA is the cleaner-running choice for buyers ready to charge: its 66.5 kWh battery delivers a quoted 429 km range, while RM160 annual road tax is far below the XC40’s RM428. The Volvo counters with 263 hp, 390 Nm and all-wheel drive, reaching 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds against the Mercedes’ 8.9 seconds. It is also the more useful load carrier, with 460 litres versus 340 litres. The EQA’s 2,729 mm wheelbase, heated memory front seats and head-up display make a strong case if EV running matters most.
EQA
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you can charge regularly and prioritise its 429 km EV range, RM160 road tax and extra cabin equipment.
XC40
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want the faster 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time, all-wheel drive and a 460-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Powertrain: EQA has one 188 hp, 375 Nm electric motor; XC40 has a 263 hp, 390 Nm 1,969 cc turbo petrol hybrid powertrain.
- 0-100 km/h: EQA 8.9 seconds; XC40 6.4 seconds.
- Driveline: EQA front-wheel drive; XC40 all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: EQA 340 litres; XC40 460 litres.
- Road tax: EQA RM160 per year; XC40 RM428 per year.
EQA
- 66.5 kWh battery with 429 km quoted EV range
- RM160 annual road tax
- Head-up display, heated front seats and 40:20:40 rear seat split
- RM28,000 more expensive
- Slower 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.4 seconds
- 340-litre boot is 120 litres smaller
XC40
- Quicker 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time with all-wheel drive
- 460-litre boot
- Five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty
- RM428 annual road tax is RM268 higher
- No head-up display
- 60:40 rear seat split is less flexible than the EQA’s 40:20:40 arrangement
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,888 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 263 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 390 Nm at 1,800 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 82 mm × 93.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,463 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 2,040 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 340 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| 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" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Pre-Safe, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| 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 Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| 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 | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| 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 | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular | Yes |
| 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 | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/160,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty |
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 & XC40 for sale
EQA vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQA or Volvo XC40 better?
Choose the EQA for a 429 km quoted EV range, lower RM160 road tax and richer cabin equipment. Choose the XC40 for its 6.4-second sprint, all-wheel drive and 460-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM296,888 and the Volvo XC40 costs RM268,888, so the EQA is RM28,000 more expensive.
Which one is quicker?
The Volvo XC40 is quicker, completing 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz EQA takes 8.9 seconds.
