Mazda CX-90 vs Mercedes-Benz EQA
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Mazda CX-90 starts from $74,385 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz EQA opens at $79,900. That makes the Mazda CX-90 the more affordable entry point by $5,515.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $81,824 and $87,890 respectively.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Mazda CX-90, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the Mazda CX-90 and Mercedes-Benz EQA hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the Mazda CX-90 and 97% for the Mercedes-Benz EQA.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Mazda CX-90 and 7 in the Mercedes-Benz EQA.
Feature Showdown
The Mazda CX-90 features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz EQA gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA counters with ambient lighting that the Mazda CX-90 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mazda CX-90 gets leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz EQA offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Mazda CX-90 and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQA.
Drivetrain
The Mazda CX-90 uses a Petrol producing 254kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA responds with a Electric making 140kW and 375Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds.
The Mazda CX-90 has the clear power advantage at 254kW vs 140kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mazda CX-90 is 0.8s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mazda CX-90 measures 5,120mm long on a 3,120mm wheelbase, 657mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz EQA at 4,463mm (2,729mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-90 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 257L in the Mazda CX-90 and 340L in the Mercedes-Benz EQA, giving the Mercedes-Benz EQA a 83L advantage. The Mazda CX-90 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Mazda CX-90 leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.0m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda CX-90) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz EQA). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mazda CX-90 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz EQA if: You need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mazda CX-90 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz EQA has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mazda CX-90 and Mercedes-Benz EQA?
The Mazda CX-90 is the cheapest at $74,385 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQA by $5,515.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mazda CX-90 uses the least fuel at 8.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mazda CX-90 and Mercedes-Benz EQA all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA has the largest boot at 340L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mazda CX-90 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mazda CX-90 makes the most power at 254kW. The Mazda CX-90 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.8s.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
