Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Subaru Outback
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Subaru Outback scores higher, 76 vs 67
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 11 Sep 2026, price 29 Jul 2026
Mercedes-Benz EQA
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 9 no dataFrom
$89,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 140kW
- Energy use
- 16.9 kWh/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 340L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Subaru Outback
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 9 no dataFrom
$48,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 137kW
- Economy
- 8.1 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2021
- Boot (seats up)
- 530L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 67
Subaru Australia offer: bonus, $850 toward your deposit. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
No end date printed
$850 Fitted Accessories
Offer from Subaru Australia, checked 9 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the maker prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
$89,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$48,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Mercedes-Benz EQA EQA250+
$89,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $393 a week in repayments ($89,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Subaru Outback AWD
$48,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 29 July 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $203 a week in repayments ($48,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Subaru Outback starts $40,910 lower on RRP.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Subaru Outback does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$203/wk(≈$881/mo)
Estimate on the Subaru Outback at $48,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz EQADriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
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.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 6 of 10 key systems on the Mercedes-Benz EQA and 6 on the Subaru Outback.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz EQA
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006475 · published 10 Nov 2025The high voltage battery may short circuit if charged over 80 percent capacity.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-005949 · published 15 Apr 2024The electrical power steering control unit back-up software may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
- 2 more on the model page.
Subaru Outback
- REC-005831 · published 20 Nov 2023The front drive shaft may not meet manufacturing specifications and the outer race of the front driveshaft may crack.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005485 · published 3 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing issue, the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) adaptor cord connector may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2018
- REC-001697 · published 24 Aug 2021The fuel pump impeller may not meet manufacturing specifications, as a result it may become deformed.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
- 11 more on the model page.
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.
How long to charge
66.5kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz EQA features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Outback gets a 12.1-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA stands out with wireless charging and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Outback. The Subaru Outback counters with panoramic roof, heated front seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
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 Subaru Outback responds with a Petrol making 137kW and 254Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 137kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz EQA measures 4,463mm long on a 2,729mm wheelbase, 417mm shorter than the Subaru Outback at 4,880mm (2,745mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Outback generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 340L in the Mercedes-Benz EQA and 530L in the Subaru Outback, giving the Subaru Outback a 190L advantage.
For towing, the Subaru Outback leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg 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 0.1 m tighter, 11.0 m against 11.1 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 fuel for the Subaru Outback about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz EQA) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Outback). Capped-price servicing: no data (Mercedes-Benz EQA), 5 years (Subaru Outback).
Where each one leads
The Mercedes-Benz EQA: more power (140kW against 137kW).
The Subaru Outback: the lower starting price ($48,990 against $89,900), the bigger boot with the seats up (530L against 340L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 1,800kg).
The Verdict
Subaru Outback scores higher, 76 vs 67
The Subaru Outback scores 76 to the Mercedes-Benz EQA's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 4 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Subaru Outback ahead by 29 points), practicality (Subaru Outback ahead by 13 points). Boot space with the seats up: 340L in the Mercedes-Benz EQA, 530L in the Subaru Outback.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$203/wk(≈$881/mo)
Estimate on the Subaru Outback at $48,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz EQADriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz EQA and Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback is the cheapest at $48,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQA by $40,910.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Subaru Outback holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2021). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz EQA, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru Outback has the largest boot at 530L with the seats up (1,267L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru Outback has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA makes the most power at 140kW.
Track the Mercedes-Benz EQA & Subaru Outback
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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