Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Polestar 3

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz EQA a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

The Mercedes-Benz EQA features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Polestar 3 gets a 14.5-inch display and 9-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Polestar 3 counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Mercedes-Benz EQA uses a Electric producing 140kW and 385Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.6 seconds.

The Polestar 3 responds with a Electric Motor making 245kW and 480Nm, paired to a single-speed fixed gear driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.

The Polestar 3 has the clear power advantage at 245kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Polestar 3 is 2.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 70.5kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQA) vs 92kWh (Polestar 3), giving WLTP ranges of 480km and 603km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (Mercedes-Benz EQA) vs 310kW (Polestar 3).

Space & Comfort

The Mercedes-Benz EQA measures 4,463mm long on a 2,729mm wheelbase, 437mm shorter than the Polestar 3 at 4,900mm (2,985mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 3 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 340L in the Mercedes-Benz EQA and 597L in the Polestar 3, giving the Polestar 3 a 257L advantage.

For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQA leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Mercedes-Benz EQA's turning circle is 0.8 m tighter, 11.0 m against 11.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Mercedes-Benz EQA costs about $811 a year (16.9 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Polestar 3 about $845 a year (17.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $34 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz EQA.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz EQA) and 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 3).

Where each one leads

The Mercedes-Benz EQA: the lower starting price ($89,900 against $116,700), the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,500kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($811 a year against $845).

The Polestar 3: more power (245kW against 140kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (597L against 340L).

The Verdict

Polestar 3 scores higher, 73 vs 67

The Polestar 3 scores 73 to the Mercedes-Benz EQA's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 6 of the 9 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Polestar 3 ahead by 29 points), performance (Polestar 3 ahead by 24 points), practicality (Polestar 3 ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Mercedes-Benz EQA costs about $34 less (16.9 kWh/100km against 17.6 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 340L in the Mercedes-Benz EQA, 597L in the Polestar 3.

Common questions