Mercedes-Benz EQA vs Volkswagen ID.5

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 Volkswagen ID.5 gets a 12.9-inch display and 5.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Volkswagen ID.5 counters with heated front seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz EQA gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen ID.5 offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz EQA and 3-zone in the Volkswagen ID.5.

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 Volkswagen ID.5 responds with a Electric making 210kW and 545Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.

The Volkswagen ID.5 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volkswagen ID.5 is 1.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 70.5kWh (Mercedes-Benz EQA) vs 77kWh (Volkswagen ID.5), giving WLTP ranges of 480km and 544km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (Mercedes-Benz EQA) vs 175kW (Volkswagen ID.5).

Space & Comfort

The Mercedes-Benz EQA measures 4,463mm long on a 2,729mm wheelbase, 121mm shorter than the Volkswagen ID.5 at 4,584mm (2,769mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen ID.5 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 340L in the Mercedes-Benz EQA and 549L in the Volkswagen ID.5, giving the Volkswagen ID.5 a 209L advantage.

For towing, the Mercedes-Benz EQA leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 800kg 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 0.4 m tighter, 11.0 m against 11.4 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 Volkswagen ID.5 about $797 a year (16.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $14 a year less for the Volkswagen ID.5.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz EQA) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volkswagen ID.5).

Where each one leads

The Mercedes-Benz EQA: the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,000kg).

The Volkswagen ID.5: the lower starting price ($62,990 against $89,900), more power (210kW against 140kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (549L against 340L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($797 a year against $811).

The Verdict

Volkswagen ID.5 scores higher, 76 vs 67

The Volkswagen ID.5 scores 76 to the Mercedes-Benz EQA's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 9 of the 10 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Volkswagen ID.5 ahead by 23 points), performance (Volkswagen ID.5 ahead by 19 points), value (Volkswagen ID.5 ahead by 9 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Volkswagen ID.5 costs about $14 less (16.6 kWh/100km against 16.9 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 340L in the Mercedes-Benz EQA, 549L in the Volkswagen ID.5.

Common questions