Head-to-head
Mercedes EQA vs Cadillac Optiq
The Cadillac Optiq starts $5,800 (7%) below the Mercedes EQA. Here's how that price gap plays out across range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · SUV
Mercedes EQA
Mercedes-Benz's electric small SUV sits on the GLA platform and shares its body silhouette. The 5-star ANCAP rating is inherited from the B-Class tested in 2019, which is worth knowing — the result is dated under newer protocols.
- From
- $85,800
- Range
- 426 km
- Battery
- 70 kWh
Option B · SUV
Cadillac Optiq
Cadillac's smaller electric SUV — slots below the Lyriq with similar styling but in a more accessible package. Confirmed for Australian launch H2 2026.
- From
- $80,000
- Range
- 480 km
- Battery
- 85 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Mercedes EQA and Cadillac Optiq, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage Cadillac Optiq
The Cadillac Optiq goes 54 km further on a charge (480 vs 426 km WLTP).
- 2
Battery · advantage Cadillac Optiq
The Cadillac Optiq carries a 15.0 kWh larger battery (85 vs 70 kWh).
- 3
Power · advantage Cadillac Optiq
The Cadillac Optiq puts down 84 kW more (224 vs 140 kW).
- 4
DC charging · advantage Cadillac Optiq
The Cadillac Optiq accepts 50 kW more DC peak charging (150 vs 100 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 5
0–100 km/h · advantage Cadillac Optiq
The Cadillac Optiq is 2.7 s quicker to 100 km/h (5.9 s vs 8.6 s).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Mercedes EQA wins
Trails the Cadillac Optiq on the core specs we measure.
Where the Cadillac Optiq wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $5,800
- ▸ 54 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (5.9s vs 8.6s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (150 kW vs 100 kW)
Mercedes EQA
What we like
- ✓ Premium Mercedes cabin materials
- ✓ Long battery warranty (8 years / 160,000 km)
- ✓ Established dealer network across Australia
What we don't
- ✕ DC charging peak (100 kW) lags the segment
- ✕ Inherited ANCAP rating from older B-Class testing
- ✕ Modest boot for an SUV at this price
Cadillac Optiq
What we like
- ✓ Cadillac luxury cabin at a more accessible price
- ✓ Sub-6-second 0-100
- ✓ Direct-to-consumer sales model
What we don't
- ✕ Cadillac service network limited in Australia
- ✕ Not yet ANCAP rated
- ✕ Pricing not yet finalised for AU
Frequently asked: Mercedes EQA vs Cadillac Optiq
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Mercedes EQA or the Cadillac Optiq?
- The Cadillac Optiq is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $80,000 versus $85,800 for the Mercedes EQA, a $5,800 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Cadillac Optiq has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 480 km, 54 km further than the Mercedes EQA's 426 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Cadillac Optiq accepts a peak DC charging rate of 150 kW versus 100 kW for the Mercedes EQA. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Cadillac Optiq does 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds — 2.7 s quicker than the Mercedes EQA's 8.6 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the Cadillac Optiq better value than the Mercedes EQA?
- On paper the Cadillac Optiq is $5,800 cheaper AND beats the Mercedes EQA on most of the headline specs we measure — meaning by spec-sheet logic it's the stronger value play. What a spec sheet can't capture: brand prestige, dealer network depth, build feel, software polish, and likely resale.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Cadillac Optiq
if…
- ✓ you want to save $5,800 on the sticker
- ✓ maximum range matters (54 km further per charge)
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.