The pace with which the Indian EV market is growing has attracted the attention of the entire world. With Indian manufacturers constantly innovating, EVs are getting better and more advanced with each launch. And ever since Mahindra has taken the EV game to the next level with its all-new electric-origin SUVs, the time has come for Indian EVs to take on international giants. With the Mahindra BE6 debuting as the firstborn of Mahindra’s new-age EV lineup, the stage is set to put foreign luxury EVs to shame. With futuristic looks, segment-first features, and robust safety, the BE6 is well-equipped to take on some of the biggest names in the EV market. Talking of which, it is difficult not to mention the ever-popular GLA-based Mercedes-Benz EQA, which has been in the game for more than a year now. With Mahindra’s new BE6 ready for any challenge, it would be interesting to see how the Coupe-SUV does against the Mercedes prodigy. So here is a head-on comparison between the all-new Mahindra BE6 and the Mercedes-Benz EQA.
Mahindra BE6 vs Mercedes-Benz EQA: Dimensions
Car | Mahindra BE6 | Mercedes-Benz EQA |
Length | 4371 mm | 4463 mm |
Width | 1907 mm | 1834 mm |
Height | 1627 mm | 1608 mm |
Wheelbase | 2775 mm | 2729 mm |
Boot Space | 455 litres and 45 litres (Frunk) | 340 litres |
Ground Clearance | 207 mm | 154 mm |
The head-on comparison above clearly shows that despite both cars sharing the same segment, there is still quite a lot of difference between the two. A major reason behind the variance is the Mahindra BE6’s coupe-SUV built that gives it a unique appeal and a more practical approach, especially when it comes to onboard space and comfort.
Talking about the looks, despite having a polarising design, the BE6 stands as a stylish coupe-SUV that is assertive, aggressive and futuristic in its overall appeal, with muscular design elements that elevate its overall look. When compared head-on, the BE6 asserts itself with a stance that is 73 mm wider and 19 mm taller, coming across as a more dominating SUV among the two.
What’s more is the BE6’s large 2775 mm wheelbase that gives the coupe-SUV a slightly more spacious cabin and better ride quality. Ground clearance is another area where the BE6 shines, with a good 207 mm offered as compared to the EQA’s 154 mm, a figure that is even lower than what some C-segment sedans offer. If you think that’s all, then think again, as the BE6 also slays when it comes to the boot space with a 115-litre trunk larger than what the EQA offers, along with an additional 45 litres of Frunk space that is great to have for those little bags.
Coming to the Mercedes-Benz EQA, the SUV carries forward the classic Mercedes approach that adorns modern styling with a sporty yet muscular stance and an appeal that is luxurious from every angle. When compared with the BE6, there is not much that goes on, with an overall vibe that speaks of nothing but sheer, sporty elegance.
Compared to the BE6’s coupe bodyline, the EQA stands 92 mm lengthier, despite having a 17mm shorter wheelbase. But with that said, even though the EQA is narrower and shorter than the BE6, its overall dimensions are very well proportionate, which cannot be said for the BE6 with that much confidence.
Despite its slightly smaller wheelbase, the EQA’s luxurious cabin does offer good space and comfort, with ample head and legroom for a comfortable ride. The boot on offer is spacious enough to take care of most of your luggage needs, even though it is not as large as that on the BE6.
Overall, when compared, both SUVs offer a modern look that is truly impressive. While the final choice in terms of looks is rather subjective, when it comes to dimensions and space on offer, the BE6 seems to take the crown with its wider and taller stance, better boot space, additional frunk space and a slightly larger wheelbase.
Overall winner: BE6 for its space and practicality
Mahindra BE6 vs. Mercedes-Benz EQA: Performance and Charging
Mahindra BE6 vs. Mercedes-Benz EQA: Performance and Charging | ||||||||
Cars | Mahindra BE6 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | ||||||
Battery Pack | 59 kWh | 79 kWh | 70.5 kWh | |||||
Power | 231 PS (170 kW) | 286 PS (210 kW) | 190 PS (140 kW) | |||||
0 to 100 km/h | 6.7 Seconds | 8.6 Seconds | ||||||
Transmission (Automatic) | Single-Speed Automatic | Single-Speed Automatic | ||||||
Claimed RangeMIDC P1 + P2 Standards | 557 km on a single charge | 683 km on a single charge | 560 km on a single charge |
Performance is one key area where Mahindra truly needs to be praised, and the comparison table above makes it pretty evident. Despite both SUVs not being on the same playing field, especially when it comes to pricing, it is commendable how the BE6 manages to give the EQA a run for its money.
Talking about the battery packs on offer, while the BE6 offers a choice between a smaller 59 kWh pack or a larger 79 kWh pack, the Mercedes-Benz EQA, on the other hand, offers a sole 70.5 kWh battery pack. Now, you might think that the EQA’s larger pack would be no match for the BE6’s base 50 kWh pack, but this is exactly where things get spicy.
When compared head on, the BE6, despite offering a smaller base-battery pack, still manages to completely overshadow the performance and range figures offered by the Mercedes-Benz EQA with as much as 41 PS of additional power.
Coming to the bigger battery pack, the Mercedes-Benz EQA seems to be miles behind the Mahindra BE6, which offers a substantially superior performance figure of 286 PS with its 79 kWh battery pack. With so much power on offer, no matter which pack of the BE6 you choose, what you get is better performance than the EQA, which is also reflected in the BE6’s 0-100 sprint speed, which is a mere 6.7 seconds compared to 8.6 seconds with the EQA.
The range is also an area where the Mahindra BE6 crushes the Mercedes EQA yet again, with a claimed range of 557 km on a single charge offered by the base battery pack of the BE6, which is only 3 km shy of the 560 km range offered by the Mercedes-Benz EQA. Considering the smaller battery pack size of the base offerings, these figures are nothing but exceptional. With the bigger battery pack, the dominance of the BE6 is further enhanced with 123 km of additional range when compared to the EQA.
Overall, when considering the performance of both SUVs, the Mahindra BE6 obliterates the Mercedes-Benz EQA, leaving it miles behind when it comes to both power and range. With better battery specs on offer, the BE6 offers best-in-segment performance and a range that goes as high as 683 km on a single charge. While the Mercedes EQA does offer decent figures, with the BE6 in competition, the difference seems to be too huge to ignore.
Overall Winner: Mahindra BE6
Mahindra BE6 vs. Mercedes-Benz EQA: Features and Comfort
Mahindra BE6 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | |
Infotainment system | 12.3-inch touch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Car Play | 10.25-inch touch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Car Play |
Instrument Cluster | 12.3 Inch Digital Instrument Cluster | 10.25-Inch Digital Instrument Cluster |
Music System | 16 Speaker Premium Harman Kardon Audio Setup with DOLBY | 12-Speaker Premium Burmester Audio Setup with DOLBY ATMOS |
Climate Control | Yes, Dual Zone | Yes, Dual Zone |
Sunroof | Fixed Glass Panoramic Sunroof | Voice-Enabled Panoramic Sunroof |
Ambient Lighting | Yes, with Segment First Sunroof Integrated Ambient Lighting | Yes |
Front Ventilated Seats | Yes | No |
Adjustable Seats | Yes, 6-Way Powered Driver’s Seat | Yes, Electronically Adjustable Driver and Co-Driver Seat with Memory Function |
Rear AC Vents | Yes | Yes |
Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
Wireless Charger | Yes | Yes |
360-Degree Camera | Yes, with Live View and Recording | Yes |
Connected Car Tech | Yes | Yes |
ADAS | Level-2 | Level-2 |
Gesture-Controlled Tailgate | Yes | Yes |
Augmented-Reality Projection Heads-Up Display | Yes | No |
Fully Automatic Parking | Yes | No |
From dual-zone climate control to Level-2 ADAS, the comparison above makes it clear that both electric SUVs come with a plethora of onboard features and comforts that are truly top-notch.
However, when compared head-on, the BE6 seems to take the edge, with a few special features that the Mercedes EQA seems to miss out on. These include offerings such as:
- Larger 12.3-inch dual displays
- Fixed panoramic sunroof with integrated ambient lighting
- Front ventilated seats
- 360-degree camera with live recording and surveillance
- AR-Infused Heads-Up-Display
- Fully Automatic Parking
But with that said, the Mercedes-Benz is in no way an inferior SUV with several top-notch features onboard. While the BE6 does offer a little more, features such as Electronically Adjustable Driver and Co-Driver Seat with Memory Function, Voice-Enabled Panoramic Sunroof and Burmester Premium Audio Experience with Dolby ATMOS are still exclusive to the EQA.
Overall, the feature game is an area where both SUVs truly lock horns, with the overall choice based on consumer preference and feature expectation. Both SUVs offer features that are exclusive to one another, with a list of common features including almost every modern-day inclusion.
Overall Winner: Tie
Mahindra BE6 vs. Mercedes-Benz EQA: Safety Features
Mahindra BE6 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | |
Airbags | 6 as standard | 7 as standard |
ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
ESC | Yes | Yes |
Hill Assist | Yes | Yes |
TPMS | Yes | Yes |
Rear Parking Sensor | Yes | Yes |
Front Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes |
360-Degree Camera | Yes, with Live View and Recording | Yes |
All 4 Disc Brakes | Yes | Yes |
Level-2 ADAS | Yes | Yes |
When it comes to safety, there is no doubt that both the Mercedes-Benz EQA and the Mahindra BE6 are top-notch offerings with almost every modern-day safety feature onboard. With both SUVs being the latest offerings from their respective carmakers, the competition here is truly neck-and-neck.
However, when compared head-on, the Mahindra BE6 seems to offer a slightly better package with a few additional features, such as fully automatic parking, AR-infused heads-up display, and a 360-degree camera that also offers live recording and surveillance features.
Overall, both SUVs are true winners when it comes to onboard safety.
Mahindra BE6 vs Mercedes-Benz EQA: Price Comparison
Variant | Mahindra BE6 Price Ex-Showroom | Mercedes-Benz EQAPrice Ex-Showroom |
Base Variant | Rs. 18.90 Lakh | Rs. 67.20 Lakh |
Mid Variant | Rs. 20.50 to 21.90 Lakh | |
Upper Mid Variant | Rs. 24.50 Lakh | |
Top Variant | Rs. 26.90 Lakh |
When it comes to the price comparison, the Mahindra BE6 is available in five variants: Pack ONE, Pack ONE ABOVE, Pack TWO, Pack THREE SELECT, and Pack THREE. Of all these variants, only the Pack THREE variant is powered by a 79 kWh battery, while the rest are powered by a 59 kWh battery. On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz EQA’s variant lineup is a no-brainer, with only a single variant on offer, which is the EQA 250+.
If you think that Indian cars cannot compete with foreign giants and luxury cars, this comparison surely would be an eye opener. With even the top-end trim of the Mahindra BE6 priced about Rs. 40.3 Lakh cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz EQA, you can literally bring home two top-end BE6s and still be left with over Rs. 13 Lakh in your pockets.
While this price advantage is itself a blind win for the BE6, what makes this win super special is the fact that the coupe-SUV offers more than the EQA in almost every aspect, including power, performance, features and even safety for that matter.
Thus, considering all the aspects, the BE6 offers better value for your money throughout its variant lineup with savings that can go as high as Rs. 40 Lakh.
Mahindra BE6 vs. Mercedes-Benz EQA: Summary
Be it the Mahindra BE6 or the Mercedes-Benz EQA, both premium EVs offer a loaded package that is alluring from every angle. Both SUVs offer a contemporary design that is assertive and sporty, with the BE6 following a more polarising approach, while the Mercedes EQA plays it elegantly. Coming to the performance and range, while the EQA offers a sole battery pack, the BE6 offers two, with each of them offering a performance that is much more superior than the EQA.
The story is the same with the range as well, where the BE6 truly takes the crown. Feature-wise, both SUVs are topped with a great package with almost all modern-day features, but again, it is the BE6 that takes a slight edge with several top-notch segment first offerings. Safety, however, is where both SUVs truly lock horns with great inclusions, including Level-2 ADAS. However, it is the price that puts the final nail in the EQA’s coffin, with the BE6 obliterating the EQA left, right and center.
FAQs
Q. Which of the two – Mahindra BE6 or Mercedes-Benz EQA – is larger?
A. The Mahindra BE6 is larger than the Mercedes-Benz EQA, with a wider and taller stance, longer wheelbase, and bigger boot space. However, the EQA is longer than the BE6, which might make it look bigger from the side angle.
Q. Which of the two – Mahindra BE6 or Mercedes-Benz EQA – offers a better range?
A. The Mahindra BE6 offers a better range overall than the Mercedes-Benz EQA, with the 59 kWh pack offering 557 km of range and the 79 kWh battery pack offering 684 km of range on a single charge compared to the 600 km range offered by the EQA.
Q. Which of the two – Mahindra BE6 or Mercedes-Benz EQA – has more advanced features?
A. Both SUVs offer top-notch features onboard, features like ambient lighting, an integrated sunroof, a 360-degree camera with live recording and surveillance, fully automatic parking, an AR-integrated heads-up display is where the BE6 wins, while features like Electronically Adjustable Driver and Co-Driver Seat with Memory Function, Voice-Enabled Panoramic Sunroof and Burmester Premium Audio Experience with Dolby ATMOS are still exclusive to the EQA.
Q. Which of the two – Mahindra BE6 or Mercedes-Benz EQA – offers better value for money?
A. The Mahindra BE6 offers better value for money across all trims compared to the Mercedes-Benz EQA, with savings that can go as high as over Rs. 40 Lakh.