Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 2021 Car Review

The EQA is the second Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) from Mercedes-Benz, and while it might perform differently from other electric vehicles, it manages to maintain both the feel and good looks of a traditional Merc.

Futuristic look

We recently reviewed the slightly larger EQC and were impressed by the German marque’s first attempt at a BEV.

While neither cars are a ground-up BEV build, the EQA still has noticeable traits that you’d only find on an electric vehicle. At the front of the car, for instance, is a modern gloss black panel instead of a grille. Our review model also sported upgraded, futuristic multi-spoke 20-inch AMG Alloy wheels.

Above the grille is an LED strip light which connects the two headlights, and this is mirrored at the back between the two taillights. The sci-fi-like looks really help the EQA stand out from other SUVs on the road.

There are also some chrome touches around the car, including on the side skirts and on the roof rails. These help to set it apart from the GLA – the car in which the EQA is based.

Tech-filled cabin

The interior of the EQA feels very much like a normal modern Mercedes-Benz, with dual 10.25-inch MBUX. MBUX stands for Mercedes-Benz User Experience and simply means: your EQA is intelligent and intuitively controllable via the large high-resolution screens whose content you determine yourself. The widescreen monitors provide infotainment, maps and driving information. This can either be accessed via by hand gesture, touch or speech with the words "Hey Mercedes" you activate MBUX and express your wishes, which works much like Siri and Google Assistant.

Sport stitching is weaved throughout the cabin, including on the Nappa leather steering wheel, the seats, and across the dash and door trim.

There are 64 colours which you can use to customise the EQA’s ambient mood lighting, which is not only displayed through a narrow tube which wraps around the cabin and the centre console, but also in a splash of colour on the passenger dashboard and around the rugged-looking air vents.

The front memory seats are heated, and feel great to sit on. The room for rear passengers is ample, and the boot space is enough to work with at 340 litres – you can access the latter via a powered tailgate.

Wireless charging, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay all come as standard.

EV power?

BEVs generally offer fantastic torque and acceleration, but the EQA isn’t as mind-blowingly quick as some of its counterparts - it goes from a standstill to 100km/h in just under nine seconds.

Like with most BEVs, the ride of the EQA is quiet and relaxing. There are a selection of driving modes to choose from via the DYNAMIC SELECT system, but we did most of our driving in ‘Comfort’. Flick it over to ‘Sport’ and the acceleration becomes slightly sharper, and the steering and suspension becomes stiffer.

The 65.5kWh battery powers a single electric motor on the front wheels, which generates 140kW and 375Nm.

The paddles behind the steering wheel allow the driver to choose between four different regenerative braking settings, which you can change depending on where you’re driving the EQA. We enjoyed benefitting from the strongest setting during rush-hour Auckland traffic.

One of the main selling points of a BEV is the total range, and the EQA has a claimed 410km (WLTP), which is higher than the Audi e-tron 50 (336km) and just under the Audi e-tron 55 (417km). It’s also compatible with 100kW DC fast chargers, and 80 per cent charge can be achieved in as little as half an hour.

The EQA consumes 16.2kWh/100km, with the CO2 rating sitting proudly at 0g/100km.

Safety

The EQA received a five-star ANCAP result during testing in 2019, and that was partly down to its range of safety assist features.

Mercedes-Benz’s Driver Assistance Package includes Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Active Speed Limit Assist, Route-based speed adaptation with end of traffic jam function, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and more.

Verdict

The Mercedes-Benz EQA is the least expensive luxury BEV on the market, and it manages to preserve the characteristics which make the brand highly desirable. Although it’s perhaps not quite as exciting as some of the other BEVs on the road, it’s still fun to drive.

You’ll need an additional $60,000 to jump up to the more premium EQC, which sits in a similar price range to the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE.

Safety systems

• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Active Speed Limit Assist
• Extended automatic restart on motorways
• Route-based speed adaptation with end of traffic jam function
• Active Steering Assist
• Active Brake Assist
• Active Lane Keeping Assist
• Traffic Sign Assist
• Active Blind Spot Assist with Exit Warning function

Find out more on how the AA can help you when buying a new car:

• AA Money - aa.co.nz/money
• AA Insurance - aa.co.nz/insurance
• AA Car Reviews - aa.co.nz/car-reviews
• AA Running Cost Reports - aa.co.nz/runningcosts

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