The Mercedes EQA is the benjamin of the German company’s all-electric SUV family and with its own unique character… it shines in the demanding C-SUV category.
Mercedes EQA is that person in the room who, no matter how he appears, shines with his presence, stealing the attention of the others in the room – more or less capable, it doesn’t really matter.
The electric compact SUV is based on the second generation of the conventional GLA, having of course received the necessary adjustments from Mercedes engineers, in order to fully evolve and fit the electric system in front and the 66.5kWh battery in the lower part of the floor.
Externally it’s not radically different from the GLA, but you can definitely tell from a distance that it’s its electric relative, with differences in points such as the closed grille and rear light bar.
Entering the interior, you immediately realize that this is where EQA’s strong point lies: luxurious, high-quality materials with excellent fit, beautiful design, ergonomic, high-tech and brilliant! Yes, here too the “Mercedes star” shines once it gets dark with the wonderful lighting in the living room in hidden and obvious places, which turns driving into an extraordinary experience and, despite the times, extremely unnerving.
Depending on your mood, you easily change the color from the menu on the central 10.25-inch touchscreen (2 10.25-inch windscreens in our Advanced Plus test version), without needing a PhD to find it. For us pure-blooded hunters of experiences and good times, changing the lighting according to mood and occasion has become part of our daily life. Rock mood-red, chill-blue, purple combined with festive atmosphere and Christmas songs from the excellent sound system included in the trial version and much more!
Coming back to practical reality, even though it all seems a bit complicated to manage at first, in the end it is not at all and you immediately take advantage of all the conveniences that are generously offered. The customization options on the two screens, which give the impression of a giant, are many and you have the desire to make them the way you want and they are convenient for you.
Among other things, there you will see in every detail the electric drive system, energy management, consumption, autonomy, etc. On the steering wheel you will also see the classic small pads that have the role of controls and you can adjust with your thumbs what you need for the necessary information. The infotainment is the latest generation of Mercedes’ MBUX multimedia system, and you can operate it via the touch screen, the pad located between the driver and front passenger, as well as by voice command. It is compatible with Android and Apple CarPlay and besides being beautiful it is also easy to use.
The driving position is excellent with multiple adjustments on the seat and steering wheel, so that every body type can find the ideal one. You have very good front and rear visibility thanks to the large glass surfaces, although sensors and 360° cameras help more in maneuvers. The side mirrors also offer very good visibility, while the blind spot visibility assist system, both as a light and an audible signal, when you tend to change lanes while a vehicle is approaching, makes things easier. It is worth noting that the system in question remains in operation and warns even when you open the door as a vehicle approaches.
Despite the compact dimensions, the front passengers are understood to be lords, but you won’t hear any complaints from the back either, since there is sufficient head and leg room, as long as basketball is not the profession that makes a living. Of course, some complaints may be heard about how many things they can take with them on vacation. The cabin may have plenty of compartments, but the luggage space reaches 340lt, and if you’re not an advocate of the minimalist trend in your lifestyle, you probably need to be. The thermal GLA offers an additional 95lt, but the battery pack under the floor apparently “stole” this space. It doesn’t matter, since its shape helps space-wise to place more suitcases, but even if you don’t succeed, the culture of minimalism fits perfectly with that of electric mobility and ecological lifestyle.
So what drives EQA ecologically? The EQA 250 has an electric motor that produces 190PS with 375Nm of torque, with the drive going to the front wheels. The battery has an energy capacity of 66.5kWh and Mercedes promises 426km of range, however the realistic estimated range of 365km – and more if you drive properly and carefully – we experienced is fine. In symbiosis with EQA and under normal conditions, the figure we saw was an average of 21.5kWh/100km (17.7kWh/100km according to the manufacturer).
In very careful driving and in the Eco mode, the number dropped close to factory, but realistically speaking you can’t always drive like that. To the right of the steering wheel is the drive selector lever. Behind the steering wheel are the paddles through which the recovery of energy during deceleration is carried out at a less intense and more intense level, but it does not have a One Pedal drive function for absolute stopping and always requires a conscious step on the brake pedal, apparently for reasons security. For most of its life, we drove with the energy recovery selected, however, at the intense level of recovery, deceleration is not always so smooth when you let off the throttle pedal.
In the EQA, you can choose between three driving profiles via the dial located on the center console: Eco, Comfort and Sport, all equally capable and efficient depending on the occasion. In the Eco program, you ensure the best consumption, but the performance of the electric motor is more limited compared to the other two profiles, without causing any problems, but here the goal is the best possible consumption. The change in power delivered varies appreciably with the program. Acceleration in Comfort and even more so in Sport is quite impressive in feel, although in absolute numbers the 8.9sec needed from a standstill to reach 100km/h may not look so impressive. In practice, however, you feel the torque pouring out with the first press of the right pedal and of course you overtake safely and undisturbed, while the top speed is limited to 160km/h for reasons of battery consumption.
In the city, the coexistence with the EQA improves the quality of life of each owner, it is comfortable, flexible and the relatively light steering wheel helps in the narrows and maneuvers. Passing through the battlefield called the Greek road in the neighborhoods of Athens, with an ally the suspension showed not to be particularly concerned. However, due to extra weight, like any electric, moving at a higher speed and in very specific cases, such as transverse irregularities, you feel the rear more “dry”. The general rule, however, has to do with an electric car weighing 2,040 kg with a well-tuned suspension, the benefits of which you enjoy both in urban everyday life and on trips on the highway and country roads. The ride quality is excellent, something to be expected since we are talking about a Mercedes, especially an electric one. Absence of classic noises and vibrations that we are used to from thermal engines, an excellent level of sound insulation with minimal aerodynamic noise entering only at highway speeds, with EQA you swallow the kilometers with the same ease and pleasure you feel when you secretly swallow two or two honey macaroons.
On a country-style track, again the EQA responds very well despite the capital wind. The slopes are perhaps more limited than expected, it has good grip and high traction. In this case, though, the relatively light steering that helps a lot around town, while nice to feel, seems to need more precision for ultimate front-end control. A detail that is not a problem, because it is an SUV with the purpose of safe and premium movement and not driving on a track. The brakes are efficient, but as with many electrics, pedal feel is odd and takes some getting used to.
The EQA as a genuine Mercedes has the subject of safety with capital letters in its vocabulary. From the basic version, it has a multitude of safety systems through Intelligent Drive, as well as driver assistance systems.
We talked about consumption and the estimated level of autonomy. But what happens when we need to charge? Mercedes EQA stands out for fast charging. Charging can be done with alternating current with the standard 11kW charger and the time it takes to reach 100% from 10% in a wallbox or charging station is less than 6 hours. In a DC fast charging station from 10% to 80% it takes just 30 minutes.
The Mercedes EQA is a premium car that, from the first moment you live with it, upgrades the quality of your everyday life. Amazing atmosphere, great decor, quiet interior, comfort and build quality.
The consumption may not be at the lowest levels, but the EQA excels thanks to its fast charging. Its price starts at 49,590 euros and with the government subsidy of the “Move Electric” program it reaches 43,600 euros.
