Mercedes-Benz EQA All Electric SUV – Road Test Review – Most Affordable EV from Merc

Number One Premium car brand of India Mercedes-Benz has added one more All Electric car model to its lineup which also becomes its most affordable EV with the EQA. We head to Jaipur Rajasthan to experience the Mercedes EQA amidst the 189 year old Rambaugh Palace. Read on our drive report loaded with all the information on the youngest all electric vehicles to land here from Frankfurt.

🔵 Based on the GLA this is the smallest Electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz

🔵 Is positioned below the EQB

🔵 Claimed drive range of 560 kilometres (WLTP claimed) on a single charge

🔵 India gets the EQA 250+ which is the single motor long range model

🔵 Globally the EQA 300 4MATIC and EQA 350 4MATIC come with dual-motor setups with AWD

🔵 EQA 250+ makes an output of 140 kW with the front-wheel drive system

🔵 Powered by a 70.5 kWh battery that supports up to 100 kW DC on-board charger, allowing a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in around 40 minutes. The 11 kW wall box does 10 to 100 per cent in five hours and 35 minutes

 

🔵 Features on the Mercedes EQA include parking package with a reversing camera, LED high-performance headlights with adaptive high beam assist, a seat comfort package with four-way lumbar support for front seats, heated front seats, multifunction sports steering wheel in leather, automatic climate control and ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours 

🔵 Expected pricing for the Mercedes EQA is ₹65 Lakh

🔵 Competition includes the Kia EV6, BMW iX1, Volvo XC60 Recharge

Food for Thought

Mercedes previewed the EQA Concept in 2017 which was then revealed as a family hatchback and not as a crossover SUV. The EQA is based on the GLA SUV crossover and was codenamed as the H243 when it was under development. The EQA shares its MFA2 platform with the GLA, A-Class, B-Class, EQB, GLB and the CLA models. The EQA has been designed by Balázs Filczer who also designed the Mercedes GLS and the G-Class. India gets the Single motor version EQA 250+ of the EV while there also is the dual motor EQA 300 version in some global markets.

Exteriors

First look at the Mercedes EQA and you can pass it of as the Mercedes GLA that launched recently, look again and you will notice this is the Electric version and come with many exterior changes to it. The face styling is highlighted with the Mercedes EQ family closed grille with multiple stars placed on glossy black background and the three pointed Mercedes logo in the middle.

The multi beam intelligent LED headlamps get flushed infused styling along with the LED DRL light strip that run across the width of the car in typical EQ style. The front bumper gets soft rounded design aiding aerodynamics, chrome inserts running across the faux air dams and smooth character lines on the bonnet completing the styling of the front end.

The side profile is characterized with squarish inserts around the wheel arches, 19 inch AMG dual-tone alloys mounted on EV specific Continental tyres, chrome beltline defining the glass area and roof rail finished in metal. You also get some chrome inserts on the door handle and door cladding inserts to add to the subtle bling factor that looks nicely done.

The rear profile again looks a lot like the GLA-Class but on here you get EQ family connected LED tail lamps, rear spoiler with stop light, Mercedes logo that needs to be twisted up to open the boot or when the reverse camera is in use. The EQA 250+ badging is prominently placed in chrome on the boot lid. The rear bumper comes in unpainted form along with chrome insert lines that add to the already premium appeal.

Interiors

Step inside the EQA and you will be welcomed with the GLA-Class like cabin area finished in black theme. The dashboard made of premium soft material gets a unique crash-pad insert with multiple star design that glow with the ambient colors, AC vents in turbine finish get rose gold inserts with ambient light hidden inside them, the instrument display and the AVN touch-screen are combined in design in typical Mercedes fashion. These screens are super crisp and sharp to view and use the latest MBUX Gen 2 OS powering them and come with all the connectivity option that you can think of.

The EQA comes with the latest flat bottom design steering wheel sporting a three spoke design, premium leather wrapping and touch capacitive MFD buttons on it. You get manual adjust for height and reach for the steering. The EV gets a two zone climate control unit along with a wireless mobile charge dock, 5-USB C charge ports.

The drive mode button is placed on the center console along with some storage area and a closable armrest with storage under it. Front seats come finished in leather with unique inserts on them that is made out of recycled Pet bottles. Both the front seat get full electric adjust while you also get lumber support and under thigh support. Front seats come with the Mercedes proprietary Seat Kinetics enhancing comfort.

The door pads get metal inserts and the star design inserts along with storage area in them. Rear seats come with three adjustable head rests along with a folding arm rest with integrated can holders in it. This seat offers good leg, knee and head room along with some good shoulder room for three adults. The floor area is slightly raised as the EQA’s battery pack is fitted under the floor taking some space. You will only notice this if you compare it to the GLA-Class. Rear passengers get reading lights, USB C ports to extend the comfort and convenience.

The cabin gets good amount of light coming into it all even though its finished in black all thanks to the large glass area and the dual-pane electric sunroof. The cabin feels very well appointed in typical premium Mercedes levels of finish and class.

You get a super powerful and premium Burmester 12 speaker sound system powered with 12 speakers playing some crisp and sharp music.

In terms of boot area the EQA gets a overall storage of 340 liters which can be increased to 1320 liters with the rear seats folded down if needed. Other hand the GLA comes with 425 liters of boot area the difference between the two being because of the battery pack that kind of takes up come space. The boot lid gets electric opening/closing and also can be operated by gesture control.

Drive – Battery – Range

Powering the Mercedes EQA 250+ is the 70.5 kWh battery pack that powers the single motor unit which ultimately generates 190PS of power and 385 Nm of torque.

Mercedes claims an overall drive range of 560kms range in a single charge while the FWD EQA comes with a top speed of 160kmph and a 0 to 100kmph of 8.6 seconds. We expect a real world drive range of anywhere between 350kms to 425kms on a single charge depending on your driving style and traffic conditions.

How is the EQA to Drive?

Electric cars are dull, no fun to drive, not at all pleasurable? Well all these things are all things of the past and this is the Mercedes EQA. The EV gets loads of drive pleasure and feels lively at all times and speeds. The power builds up instantly and is abundant across all speeds. The EQA feels planted at all speeds and drive super maturely just like any Mercedes car.

The steering feels connected, sharp, very lively and moreover you have 4 drive modes to play with – Comfort, Eco, Sport & Individual which changes the power, steering feedback and the suspension setup.

The car itself is also very quiet inside the cabin area which makes for a very relaxing experience. The performance it puts out is more than powerful and the EQA feels amazing to drive on traffic roads and on the highways alike.

The advanced tech like the unique Augmented Reality navigation system and the gesture control shortcut feature are fun to use and also come helpful at tricky times. The suspension setup along with the 19 inch wheels helps win over the bad roads and speed breakers in style offering some excellent drive quality. The cabin feels extremely well insulated and no one outside can even hear you if you shout out their name. Overall drive feel is premium; top class and super secure typical Mercedes-Benz class and levels.

Charging Time

The 70.5kWh battery on the Mercedes EQA takes 7 hours 15 mins to charge from 0 to 100% while using a 100kW Fast charger can get the charge up from 10 to 80% in just 35 mins.

Safety

On the safety front you get 7 airbags including one knee airbag, ABS with EBD, ADAS safety suite, live traffic monitoring, acoustic presence reminder for pedestrians, active brake assist, 360 degree camera, blind spot monitor to name a few.

Competition

Mercedes EQA goes up against the likes of the BMW iX1, Kia EV6, Hyundai IONIQ5, Volvo XC40 Recharge here in India.

Verdict

The EQA comes with the trademark Mercedes-Benz virtues in terms of styling, safety, drivability and after sales support. The EV packs a punch even though it has to rival a few models that come with dual motor setup, this one feels powerful and agile as you may need it to be. The comfort level and feature level is also typical Mercedes level making this an excellent package if you desire a Electric SUV that is fun to drive and has all the premiumness that of a Merc.

 

Mercedes-Benz EQA Image Gallery

 

Words – Ritesh Madhok