Verdict
At RM28,000 less, the Volvo XC40 makes the stronger practical case for a Malaysian buyer who needs pace and luggage room: its 263 hp, 390 Nm all-wheel-drive powertrain reaches 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and its boot holds 460 litres. The Mercedes-Benz EQA is the pick for drivers with dependable charging access, pairing a 66.5 kWh battery and 429 km EV range with 11 kW AC and 100 kW DC charging. It also cuts annual road tax from RM428 to RM160, but has a 340-litre boot and takes 8.9 seconds to 100 km/h.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz EQA if you can charge regularly and want 429 km of electric range, RM160 annual road tax and a head-up display.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want to spend RM28,000 less for 263 hp, all-wheel drive, a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time and a 460-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz EQA RM296,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Powertrain: EQA has one 188 hp/375 Nm electric motor; XC40 has a 263 hp/390 Nm 1,969 cc petrol hybrid/REV powertrain.
- Acceleration: EQA 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds; XC40 in 6.4 seconds.
- Practicality: EQA boot 340 litres and wheelbase 2,729 mm; XC40 boot 460 litres and wheelbase 2,702 mm.
- Running hardware: EQA has a 66.5 kWh battery, 429 km range, 11 kW AC and 100 kW DC charging; XC40 is rated at 7.7 L/100 km with a 49-litre fuel tank.
- Ownership cover: EQA has a four-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and RM160 annual road tax; XC40 has a five-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty and…
EQA
- 429 km EV range from a 66.5 kWh battery.
- 11 kW AC and 100 kW DC charging.
- Head-up display, heated memory front seats and 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- RM28,000 dearer than the XC40.
- Slower 8.9-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.4 seconds.
- 340-litre boot trails the XC40's 460 litres.
XC40
- 263 hp, 390 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 460-litre boot and 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- RM28,000 lower price and five-year vehicle warranty.
- RM428 annual road tax versus the EQA's RM160.
- No quoted EV range or AC/DC charging rate, unlike the EQA's 429 km, 11 kW AC and 100 kW DC figures.
- No head-up display; the EQA has one.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM296,888 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 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 | 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | — | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.9 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | 180 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,463 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,729 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 2,040 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 340 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R19 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| 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" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 19" AMG Five-twin-spoke Light-alloy | 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 | Comfort Suspension | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Active Brake 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 | Pre-Safe, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| 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 Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient 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" 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 Push Button | Keyless Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes, Parallel and Perpendicular | Yes |
| 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 | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/160,000 km Warranty for Traction Battery | 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 EQA & XC40 for sale
EQA vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQA or Volvo XC40 better?
The XC40 is better for acceleration, all-wheel drive and cargo capacity, delivering 263 hp, 6.4-second 0-100 km/h performance and a 460-litre boot. The EQA is better if electric driving and charging matter, with 429 km range and 100 kW DC charging.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs RM296,888 and the Volvo XC40 costs RM268,888, so the EQA is RM28,000 more expensive.
Which one costs less in annual road tax?
The EQA costs RM160 a year in road tax, compared with RM428 for the XC40. That is a RM268 annual saving for the Mercedes-Benz.