Verdict
The RM10,643 gap is small beside the difference in ownership format. The EQA trades petrol for a 66.5-kWh battery, 429 km quoted range and RM160 annual road tax, against the WRX’s RM767. It is also the easier daily driver on paper, with a single-ratio automatic, 2,729-mm wheelbase and a notably fuller safety and parking suite. The WRX answers with 271 hp, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, but its 411-litre boot is the practical win. Choose according to charging access and driving preference, not price alone.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you have reliable charging and want 429 km of EV range, RM160 road tax and active safety assistance.
Pick the Subaru WRX if you want a 271-hp all-wheel-drive sedan with a six-speed manual and a larger 411-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888; Subaru WRX RM286,245.
- Powertrain: EQA has one 188-hp, 375-Nm electric motor; WRX has a 2,387-cc 271-hp, 375-Nm turbo petrol engine.
- Driveline/transmission: EQA front-wheel drive with single-ratio automatic; WRX all-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Road tax: EQA RM160 per year; WRX RM767 per year.
- EV range/fuel tank: EQA has 429 km quoted range from a 66.5-kWh battery; WRX has a 63-litre petrol tank.
- Boot space: EQA 340 litres; WRX 411 litres.
EQA
- 429 km quoted EV range and 100 kW DC charging
- RM160 annual road tax
- Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring and auto parking
- RM10,643 dearer than the WRX
- 340-litre boot is 71 litres smaller
- 2,040 kg kerb weight is 530 kg higher
WRX
- 271 hp with 375 Nm and all-wheel drive
- Six-speed manual transmission
- 411-litre boot and space-saver spare tyre
- RM767 annual road tax versus RM160 for the EQA
- No listed autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist
- No front parking sensors or auto-parking function
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,888 | RM286,245✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 271 hp |
| Torque | — | 375 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 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 | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6-speed manual |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,463 mm | 4,669 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,826 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,468 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,672 mm |
| Weight | 2,040 kg | 1,510 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 340 litres | 411 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 245/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags |
| 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 two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | 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 Projector |
| 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 | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 split folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 3 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map 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 | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | MBUX Interior Assistant, Qi Wireless Charger | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 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 & WRX for sale
EQA vs WRX FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQA or Subaru WRX better?
The EQA is better for a charging-equipped daily commute, with 429 km quoted range, lower road tax and more driver assistance. The WRX is better if a 271-hp all-wheel-drive petrol sedan and six-speed manual are priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM296,888 and the Subaru WRX costs RM286,245, so the EQA is RM10,643 more expensive.
Which has the bigger boot, the EQA or WRX?
The Subaru WRX has the bigger boot at 411 litres, 71 litres more than the Mercedes-Benz EQA’s 340 litres. The EQA counters with a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat, while the WRX uses a 60:40 split.