Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Rivals: Specifications Compared

The new EQA is entering the compact luxury EV segment where it rivals the C40 Recharge, Ioni1 5, Seal and EV6.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the EQA electric SUV in the Indian market and its prices are set to be announced on July 8, 2024. The EQA, based on the Mercedes-Benz GLA, is the German marque’s smallest electric SUV. We’ve already compared the new EQA with the BMW iX1, Volvo XC40 Recharge and the Audi Q4 e-tron, but how does it fare against the Volvo C40 Recharge, Hyundai Ioniq 5, BYD Seal and the Kia EV6?

Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Volvo C40 Recharge vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BYD Seal vs Kia EV6: Dimensions

Agreed the Seal is a sedan in this comparison of compact SUVs, but it is a worthy contender to rest. The Seal is also the longest vehicle in this lot, measuring 4800 mm. However, the shortest vehicle in terms of length is the C40 Recharge (4440 mm), followed closely by the EQA (4463 mm). The Ioniq 5 has the longest wheelbase (3000 mm) which is 80 mm longer than the Seal (2900 mm) and 271 mm longer than the EQA (2729 mm). 

The EV6 and Ioniq 5 are the widest vehicles in this comparison with both measuring 1890 mm. However, the EQA is the narrowest vehicle at 1834 mm. As the Seal is a sedan, it has the shortest height of all at 1460 mm. The EQA is the second tallest vehicle here at 1624 mm, just 1 mm shorter than the Ioniq 5. 

Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Volvo C40 Recharge vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BYD Seal vs Kia EV6: Powertrain

The Mercedes-Benz EQA is the only vehicle here to get a front-wheel drive configuration and it is the least powerful vehicle too, producing 188 bhp. The most powerful vehicle is the all-wheel drive Performance variant of the Seal, churning out 523 bhp. The Volvo C40 Recharge is the only vehicle to get all-wheel drive as standard, while the Ioniq 5 comes solely with a rear-wheel drive configuration. The Seal and EV6 get rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. 

The Seal’s entry-level Dynamic variant produces the least amount of torque (310 Nm), while its top-spec Performance variant churns out the most torque (670 Nm). Following the Seal Performance variant is the C40 Recharge with its 660 Nm. 

Interestingly, the Seal has the smallest and the largest battery of the lot. The entry-level variant gets 61.44 kWh, while the rest of the variants get an 82.56 kWh battery. Despite a larger battery, the Seal’s range is lower than the EV6 (708 km). But the Seal also has the lowest range of the lot with the Dynamic variant’s 61.44 kWh battery returning 510 km. The EQA’s 560 km range falls in the middle of the pack. 

Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Volvo C40 Recharge vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BYD Seal vs Kia EV6: Charging

All the models come with 11 kW AC charging support but the Ioniq 5 has the quickest charging time. While the Ioniq 5 also has the quickest charging time with a fast charger, it shares it with the EV6 since both support 350 kW DC fast charging. The EQA is the second quickest charging EV here with an 11 kW charger, taking 7 hours and 15 minutes to charge fully. However, it has the lowest DC fast charging support of just 100 kW. 

Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Volvo C40 Recharge vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BYD Seal vs Kia EV6: Features

The EQA, Ioniq 5 and EV6 get a twin-screen layout. But while the Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai get two 10.25-inch screens, the Kia gets two 12.3-inch screens. On the other hand, the C40 Recharge gets a 9-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, whereas the Seal gets a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. All the vehicles here come get features like a 360-degree camera, a sunroof, multiple airbags, ADAS, powered tailgate and more. All vehicles here except the Kia EV6 get a panoramic sunroof. 

Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Volvo C40 Recharge vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BYD Seal vs Kia EV6: Price

Mercedes-Benz will announce the prices of the EQA on July 8, we expect it to be priced between ₹65 - 69 lakh. Meanwhile, the Volvo C40 Recharge is priced at ₹62.95 lakh and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is priced at ₹46.05 lakh. The prices for the BYD Seal range between ₹41 lakh and 53 lakh, and for the EV6 it ranges between ₹60.96 - 65.96 lakh. (All prices ex-showroom, India).