Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM296,888, RM17,888 more than the Subaru Outback, but its 66.5-kWh battery delivers a claimed 429 km range and its RM160 annual road tax is far below the Subaru’s RM878. Its 188-hp, 375-Nm motor also reaches 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, against 9.6 seconds. The Outback answers with all-wheel drive, a much larger 522-litre boot and more cabin hardware, including a 360-degree camera and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio. For Malaysian EV-ready households, the EQA is the sharper financial running-cost choice; the Subaru is the more practical long-distance load carrier.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you can charge at home or work and want 429 km claimed EV range, RM160 annual road tax and quicker 0-100 km/h acceleration.
Pick the Subaru Outback if you need all-wheel drive, a 522-litre boot, a 63-litre petrol tank and a 360-degree camera.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888; Subaru Outback RM279,000.
- Powertrain: EQA has one 188-hp/375-Nm electric motor; Outback has a 2,498-cc 185-hp/245-Nm petrol boxer engine.
- Driving range/fuel: EQA has a 66.5-kWh battery and 429 km EV range; Outback has a 63-litre petrol tank.
- Driveline: EQA is front-wheel drive; Outback is all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: EQA 340 litres; Outback 522 litres.
- Road tax: EQA RM160 per year; Outback RM878 per year.
EQA
- 429 km claimed range from a 66.5-kWh battery
- RM160 annual road tax
- 188 hp and 375 Nm, with an 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time
- 340-litre boot is 182 litres smaller than the Outback’s
- Front-wheel drive versus the Outback’s all-wheel drive
- No 360-degree camera or front foglamps
Outback
- 522-litre boot and all-wheel drive
- 360-degree View Monitor and 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Front tilt-and-slide sunroof and front foglamps
- RM878 annual road tax versus RM160 for the EQA
- 9.6-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.7 seconds slower
- No navigation or head-up display
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,888 | RM279,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Wagon |
| Segment | C-Segment | D-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM878 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | Direct Fuel Injection, Horizontally Opposed, 4-Cylinder, DOHC 16-Valve, Boxer Engine |
| Capacity | — | 2,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 185 hp |
| Torque | — | 245 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| 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 | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Lineartronic CVT |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Subaru |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds✓ | 9.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | 206 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,463 mm | 4,870 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 2,040 kg | 1,756 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 63 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 340 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225/60R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 225.60R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Bridgestone Alenza H/L33 |
| 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" Alloy |
| 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 | 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 Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | 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 | 10-way power adjustable driver with memory, 8-way powered adjustment front passenger |
| 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 | Rear AC vents |
| Sunroof | — | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| 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, 11-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| 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 and PIN Code Access |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| 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 & Outback for sale
EQA vs Outback FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQA or Subaru Outback better?
The EQA is better for EV commuting, with 429 km claimed range, 375 Nm and RM160 annual road tax. The Outback is better for carrying luggage and all-weather traction, thanks to its 522-litre boot and all-wheel drive.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM17,888 more than the Subaru Outback.
Which has the bigger boot, the Mercedes-Benz EQA or Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has the bigger boot at 522 litres, compared with 340 litres in the Mercedes-Benz EQA. That is a 182-litre advantage for the Subaru.