Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class vs Mazda CX-9
What's the difference?

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

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2020 price

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Mazda CX-9

$18,990 - $42,990

2021 price

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Summary

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

2021 Mazda CX-9

By Matt Campbell

By Justin Hilliard

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Turbo 4, 2.5L

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Unleaded Petrol

Electric range

417 km

8.4L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

21.5 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

80.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

Luxury unparalleled in the EV space… for now
A practical and pleasant commuter
Impressive equipment levels

New 10.25-inch display
Seven-seater's versatility
Comfortable ride

Dislikes

Ride can be wobbly
Real world range reliant on conditions
Recharging speed limited

Expensive AWD option
Six-seater's compromises
Older ANCAP safety rating

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class Summary

The Mercedes-Benz EQC has been on sale in Australia for a little while now, and aside from the local launch event we haven’t had a chance to spend any quality time with the brand’s first fully electric SUV. Until now.

The EQC 400, as it’s officially known, is the German luxury maker’s first foray into the full-EV landscape, and could arguably be seen as the first true luxury electric SUV on sale in Australia. I mean, yeah, there’s the Jaguar i-Pace, but it has a more premium-sporting intent than the EQC, and the Tesla Model X isn’t aimed at a luxury customer, more so a technologically-minded buyer.

So what’s the Merc EQC like to actually live with? We drove it for a week to find out.

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2021 Mazda CX-9 Summary

The second-generation Mazda CX-9 may have been on sale in Australia for nearly five years now, but it remains the second best-selling large SUV using unibody construction (as opposed to old-school, off-road-focused body-on-frame).

That said, it is getting on a bit, so Mazda’s given it an update with a twist for 2021, hoping to inject a little bit more life into its flagship model.

And when we say twist, we mean it. After all, who would’ve thought there’d ever be a six-seat CX-9? Well, we’ve checked it out to see if it’s the version we needed all along. Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class 2021 Mazda CX-9

Verdict

When I was telling my colleagues about the Mercedes-Benz EQC my summary was, basically, it’s the best electric luxury car I’ve driven.

It’s plusher than a Jaguar i-Pace, more polished than a Tesla Model X - indeed, it feels like a different kind of electric car to both of those models. It’s an impressive foray into the segment, and we can’t wait for the chance to put it against some like-minded electric European luxury SUVs at some point in the future.

Verdict

The CX-9 is still a great option for families looking for a large SUV, even if it is starting to show its age as new rivals continue to launch with newer technologies.

That said, the availability of a luxury-focused six-seat configuration (Azami LE AWD) for the first time might be enough to convince some buyers to give it further consideration.

But for others who need the versatility of seven seats, this is still the CX-9 we’ve all come to know and love – but just a little bit better – particularly in its best-selling Azami AWD form.

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class vs Mazda CX-9 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class vs Mazda CX-9
What's the difference?