Mercedes-Benz EQA vs BMW iX1: Price, features, battery, range compared

Mercedes-Benz India recently launched the Mercedes-Benz EQA electric SUV in the Indian market. The EQA is the entry-level Mercedes EV and also the most affordable Mercedes EV in India. The Mercedes EQA is essentially an all-electric version of the GLA SUV and will be bought in India via CBU (a completely built unit). The EQA directly competes with the BMW iX1, it also goes up against the Volvo XC 40 Recharge, C40 Recharge and Kia EV6.In this article, let’s compare the Mercedes Benz EQA with the BMW iX1.

First, let’s start with pricing and variants, the Mercedes EQA is offered in a single variant – 250+ and is priced at Rs 66 lakh (ex-showroom). Just like the EQA, the iX1 electric is bought in India via CBU (completely built-up unit) and is available in a single xDrive30 M Sport variant priced at Rs 66.9 lakh (ex-showroom).
Comparing the dimensions, the EQA measures 4,463 mm in length, 1,834 mm in width, and 1,624 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,729 mm. The iX1 measures 4,500 mm in length, 1,845 mm in width, and 1,616 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,682 mm. The iX1 is slightly longer and wider whereas the EQA is a bit taller and has 47 mm more wheelbase compared to the iX1.

Talking about design, the overall silhouette of the EQA remains the same as the GLA but it features a large grille with Mercedes’ signature star pattern and an LED light bar that runs across the grille. The EV features 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped up with EV-specific tyres. At the rear, it looks very similar to the EQB with slim LED taillights connected by an LED light bar and the number plate is mounted lower down on the bumper. Other highlights include integrated spoiler, silver roof rails, black body cladding and a diffuser below.

the iX1 looks similar to the ICE X1 except for a few minor changes. It gets a large BMW kidney grille with distinct ‘I’ identification. It also gets sleek adaptive LED headlights with chrome highlights on the grille. The silhouette and side remain the same and it features 18-inch M light alloy wheels wrapped up in EV-specific tyres. Moving rear, it gets L-shaped LED taillights with an integrated spoiler and a skid plate below.

In terms of features, the EQA gets dual 10.25-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, turbine-style air-conditioning vents, ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, wireless charger, front seats with electrical adjustments, 12 speaker 710-watt Burmester 3D surround sound system with Dolby Atmos, augmented reality navigation, Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto connectivity, Mercedes me connect with OTA updates, gesture control MBUX Connect features and much more.

The iX1 features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ambient lighting, Harmon Kardon 12 speaker sound system, massaging seats, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, connected car tech, digital key, wireless charging, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and more.
Now let’s talk about the battery, electric motor and range. Both SUVs are offered with a single battery pack option paired with a single electric motor. the EQA 250+ is powered by a 70.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted on the floor. It comes paired with a single front-mounted electric motor that puts out 188 bhp of power and 385 Nm of torque. The EV has a WLTP-certified range of 560 km and the battery can be charged in 7 hours and 15 minutes using a standard 11 kW AC charger, it also can be charged using a 100 kW DC charger and the company claims that this can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes. Mercedes claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.6 seconds and top speed limited to 160 kph.

Talking about the iX1, the EV is powered by a 66.4 kWh battery pack paired with twin electric motors (one in each axle). The two electric motors send power to all four wheels and put out 313 hp of power and 494 Nm of torque. BMW claims the iX1 can sprint from 0-100 kph in 5.7 seconds and has a top speed of 180 kph. The EV uses floor floor-mounted 66.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and has a claimed range of 440 km (WLTP) in one full charge. BMW claims the iX1 can be charged from 10-80 per cent in just 29 minutes using a 130 kW DC fast charger. The iX1 comes with a BMW 11 kW wall box charger which takes 6.3 hours to fully charge the battery.