Mercedes’ anticipated entry-level EV EQA recently hit the showroom. It is the first premium compact SUV to enter the fast-growing European EV market.
The EQA launch line-up consists of a Sport model and an AMG Line version. It is second in the EQ family to storm the market, arriving after the EQC and ahead of the EQS. Judging from what the electric ride packs and its competitive tag, it will likely stir the market.
What you need to know
The Mercedes EQA comes with most of the things you’d probably expect – right from the looks to the powertrain. Here are the five things you need to know:
It is more of a retrofitted GLA crossover
The EQA bears a striking resemblance to the GLA-class crossover except for the blanked-out nose. Mercedes claims the changes at the front were called for owing to a reduced need for cooling. It sports the traditional clean and creaseless design that has become synonymous with the automaker. Daimler gives you 200mm of ground clearance and 340-litre room at the boot.
The Chinese and European market model will have the EQA250 badge at the rear end with the signature light bars. You will notice a somewhat nice touch from Mercedes in the form of a horizontal fibre-optic strip around the panel.
The license plate will sit on the bumper as opposed to the usual tailgate positioning. The car also has a couple of EQA-specific styling details. The interior features a black panel faux radiator grille and the all too familiar MBUX infotainment system. Its aerodynamic shape and rose gold aero-optimised wheels lower its air resistance giving it a 0.28 drag coefficient.
It has just enough standard features
Standards features on the Mercedes EQA include a parking camera, 18-inch alloy wheels, Adaptive High beam Assist headlamps, 64-colour ambient lighting, two 7-inch displays, and a leather steering wheel.
You can get extras like Nappa leather, 20-inch bi /tri-colour wheels, 10.25-inch display, flat-bottom steering wheel, sports seats, and door sills on the high-end configurations or with optional packages.
The car is also available in an Electric Art package at an extra € 940. This package suits customers that love more sophistication. It features rose gold highlights in the upholstery and air vents in addition to a unique wheel design. There’s also a pricier Edition 1 model that will cost an additional € 8,520.
It comes with extra EV tech
The automaker throws in a comprehensive array of safety tech and adaptive dampers – a suspension upgrade that’s been a rarity for Merc models in the UK. The compact SUV additionally comes with Merc’s Eco Assist that analyses navigation and traffic sign data to determine the brake regeneration needed at a given moment accurately.
The navigation system factors charging when calculating the time it’ll take you to arrive at your destination. The Electric Intelligence feature comes in handy when determining the most efficient route and pre-conditions the battery to its optimum charging temperature as you get close to a designated rapid charge stop.
Modest powertrain and mileage
Mercedes opted for a 188-hp electric motor drawing juice from the 66.5kWh battery located on the underbelly to power the EV. The German-based automaker confirmed more powerful versions of the EQA with up to 268-hp electric drive are in the works. The current model will give you 265 miles of range on full battery according to WLTP figures.
The EQA takes close to 9 seconds to accelerate from 0mph to 62mph and can notch a top speed of 99mph. On AC, its battery can be charged to 11kW with the DC equivalent figure (rapid charging) being 100kW. The car can charge from 10% to 80% in half an hour to bring this to context.
It is already on sale
The base model of this 5-seater beauty will set you back about £40,500 in the UK and around €47,000 in Germany. Daimler already confirmed that the European market would be supplied from the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant in Germany. There’s a second plant -Beijing Benz Automotive Company- producing the EQA, but it will only supply China.
