Verdict
The RM38,000 gap is substantial: the EQA costs RM296,888 against RM258,888 for the GLA, but swaps petrol use for a 66.5-kWh battery, 429-km EV range and 100-kW DC charging. Its 188-hp, 375-Nm motor is not quicker, however; the GLA reaches 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds, 0.2 seconds ahead, and has a larger 435-litre boot. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the EQA’s stronger safety and driver-assistance kit justifies serious consideration. Without easy charging, the CKD GLA is the more practical choice.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if home or workplace charging suits your routine and you want 429 km of EV range, 375 Nm and lane-keeping assistance.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLA if you want to spend RM38,000 less, carry more in its 435-litre boot and refuel a 43-litre petrol tank.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888; Mercedes-Benz GLA RM258,888.
- Powertrain: EQA 188 hp/375 Nm electric motor with 66.5-kWh battery; GLA 161 hp/250 Nm 1,332-cc turbo petrol engine.
- Range and consumption: EQA 429 km EV range; GLA 5.6 L/100 km rated economy.
- Performance: EQA 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and 160 km/h; GLA 8.7 seconds and 210 km/h.
- Boot space: EQA 340 litres; GLA 435 litres.
- Kerb weight: EQA 2,040 kg; GLA 1,485 kg.
EQA
- 429-km EV range with 11-kW AC and 100-kW DC charging
- 375 Nm motor torque and active cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and head-up display
- RM38,000 more expensive
- 340-litre boot is 95 litres smaller
- 0-100 km/h is 0.2 seconds slower and top speed is 50 km/h lower
GLA
- RM38,000 lower purchase price
- 435-litre boot and 43-litre fuel tank
- Quicker 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time, 210-km/h top speed and 360-degree camera
- No blind-spot information system or lane-keeping assist
- No head-up display or auto-parking function
- No heated front seats
| 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 |
| Torque | — | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 72.2 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 | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 drivers who can charge regularly and want EV driving plus lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display. The GLA is better for a lower upfront cost, a 95-litre larger boot and petrol refuelling.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM38,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLA: RM296,888 versus RM258,888.
Which has more luggage space and better performance?
The GLA has the larger 435-litre boot versus 340 litres in the EQA. It is also marginally quicker to 100 km/h at 8.7 seconds against 8.9 seconds, and its 210-km/h top speed exceeds the EQA’s 160 km/h.