Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer with reliable charging, the EQA makes the stronger daily case: its 429-km EV range, 340-litre boot and 2,729-mm wheelbase beat the GR Corolla’s 213 litres and 2,640 mm. It also gets lane-keeping steering correction, powered memory heated front seats and auto parking. The Toyota is the driver’s pick, using 296 hp, all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual to reach 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, versus the EQA’s 188-hp motor and 8.9 seconds. It is a clear choice between EV practicality and outright pace.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you have charging access and want the larger boot, longer wheelbase and more extensive parking and comfort equipment.
Pick the Toyota GR Corolla if a 296-hp petrol engine, all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and 5.3-second 0-100 km/h pace matter most.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888 | Toyota GR Corolla RM368,950
- Power: EQA 188-hp electric motor | GR Corolla 296-hp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine
- 0-100 km/h: EQA 8.9 seconds | GR Corolla 5.3 seconds
- Driveline: EQA front-wheel drive | GR Corolla all-wheel drive
- Boot space: EQA 340 litres | GR Corolla 213 litres
- Manufacturer warranty: EQA 4 years | GR Corolla 5 years
EQA
- 429-km EV range from a 66.5-kWh battery
- 340-litre boot and 2,729-mm wheelbase
- Lane-keeping steering correction, auto parking and powered memory heated front seats
- Slower 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.3 seconds
- Front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- Four-year manufacturer warranty versus five years
GR Corolla
- 296 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- All-wheel drive with front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials
- Five-year unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty
- RM72,062 higher purchase price
- 213-litre boot is 127 litres smaller
- Manual front seats and lane-keeping warning only, versus the EQA’s powered seats and steering correction
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,888✓ | RM368,950 |
| Body type | SUV | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 12-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,618 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 296 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 87 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 | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 6MT |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | 230 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,463 mm | 4,407 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,851 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,479 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,640 mm |
| Weight | 2,040 kg | 1,475 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 340 litres✓ | 213 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Yokohama Advan Apex |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| 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 Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Comfort Suspension | Torsen Limited Slip Differential Front and Rear |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake Assist | Yes, Pre-collision Braking |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated | Manual Adjustable |
| 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, 1 Rear, 1 Wireless Charger, 1 USB Front, 1 USB-C Rear |
| 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 | 9" Touchscreen Display Audio with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Adaptive 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 | 4 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 | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| 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 | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM207 |
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 & GR Corolla for sale
EQA vs GR Corolla FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQA or Toyota GR Corolla better?
The EQA is better for EV commuting, cargo space and convenience equipment, with 429 km of range and a 340-litre boot. The GR Corolla is better for performance, delivering 296 hp, all-wheel drive and 5.3-second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota GR Corolla costs RM72,062 more than the Mercedes-Benz EQA: RM368,950 against RM296,888.
Which one is quicker?
The Toyota GR Corolla is much quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and topping out at 230 km/h. The Mercedes-Benz EQA takes 8.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h and has a 160 km/h top speed.