Verdict
At RM274,888, the CLA EQ costs RM6,000 more than the RM268,888 XC40, but brings an 85 kWh battery, 748 km EV range and 320 kW DC charging. That suits Malaysian drivers with dependable high-power charging access, although it cannot use 400V DC chargers. The XC40 is the more practical five-door choice: its 460-litre boot beats the Mercedes’ 405 litres, it is 0.3 seconds quicker to 100 km/h at 6.4 seconds, and its all-wheel drive adds traction. Its annual road tax is higher at RM428 against RM260.
CLA Electric
Pick the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ if you want 748 km of electric range, 320 kW DC charging and the larger 2,790 mm wheelbase sedan.
XC40
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you need all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot and the quicker 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ RM274,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Powertrain output: CLA EQ single motor makes 268 hp and 335 Nm; XC40 makes 263 hp and 390 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: CLA EQ 6.7 seconds; XC40 6.4 seconds.
- Boot space: CLA EQ 405 litres; XC40 460 litres.
- Length and height: CLA EQ 4,723 mm and 1,468 mm; XC40 4,425 mm and 1,658 mm.
- Annual road tax: CLA EQ RM260; XC40 RM428.
CLA Electric
- 748 km EV range from an 85 kWh battery.
- 320 kW DC charging and 11 kW AC charging.
- MBUX Superscreen with a 10.25-inch cluster and twin 14-inch touchscreens.
- 405-litre boot is 55 litres smaller than the XC40’s.
- Its 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time trails the XC40 by 0.3 seconds.
- No 400V DC charger compatibility.
XC40
- All-wheel drive with 390 Nm of torque.
- 460-litre boot and five-door SUV body.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.
- RM428 annual road tax is RM168 higher than the CLA EQ’s.
- A 9-inch touchscreen is far smaller than the CLA EQ’s twin 14-inch displays.
- It has a reverse camera rather than the CLA EQ’s 360-degree camera.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM274,888 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM260✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | MMA platform, 800V architecture; no 400V DC charger compatibility | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 263 hp |
| Torque | — | 390 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 268 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 335 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 85 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 748 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 320 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Two-speed Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Two-speed Automatic | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 2 | 8 |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,723 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,855 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,790 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,980 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 49 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 405 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/40R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloys | 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 | — | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtains, Driver Knee and Centre | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | — | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Evasive Steering 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 | 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 | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED with Adaptive High Beam and Illuminated Star DRL | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED with Starry Motif | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | — | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Sports Seats, Artico Faux Leather with Dinamica Microfibre | 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 System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| 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 | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | 64-colour Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | MBUX Superscreen: 10.25" Cluster + Twin 14" Touchscreens, MB.OS, 8 Speakers, Qi Wireless Charging | 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 Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Hands-free Powered Boot Lid | Remote Control Activation |
| 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 |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | Battery warranty 8 years/160,000 km | 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 CLA Electric & XC40 for sale
CLA Electric vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ or Volvo XC40 better?
The CLA EQ is better for long-distance electric driving, with 748 km range and 320 kW DC charging. The XC40 is better for SUV practicality, all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot and marginally quicker acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ costs RM6,000 more than the Volvo XC40.
Can the Mercedes-Benz CLA EQ use a 400V DC charger?
No. The CLA EQ has an 800V architecture and does not support 400V DC charger compatibility. Its quoted DC charging rate is 320 kW.