MERCEDES-BENZ EQA
It’s not built on a dedicated EV platform, nor is its performance remarkable. Yet that’s unlikely to hold this compact back
THE SECOND electric car from Mercedes-Benz aims to offer a cheaper way into the brand’s quickly expanding EQ range. Available to order from $76,800, the EQA undercuts a lot of the competition – however, it really needs to make an impact.
Right now, the EQ range consists of just the COTY-winning, $138K EQC, though there’s more on the horizon with the EQE, EQB and EQS. That still puts Mercedes behind the curve, and well behind competitors like BMW, Audi and VW, all of which are further advanced in their EV strategies.
Unlike forthcoming cars from the VW Group, Hyundai Motor Group and BMW, the EQA doesn’t sit on a bespoke platform. Instead, it uses the same chassis as the GLA – though it’s been given some unseen work to accommodate an electric powertrain.
There are a handful of cosmetic changes: the grille is now gone – replaced by shiny gloss plastic and light strips – and the back of the car gets a light strip too, ensuring it’s vaguely similar looking to the EQC. But those expecting something close to 2017’s Concept EQA will be most disappointed. Where the concept was an alien mix of neon blue, silver and A-Class proportions, the production car is a GLA with a few new parts.
Getting the car in motion is the same as any other compact Mercedes, and it is made even more familiar by the cabin – which could be from any GLA or A-Class. The only real sign you are in an EQA and not a GLA is the electric-orientated dials. There are other features, though: instrument lighting turns momentarily white when boost is active; a horizontally split performance meter replaces the rev-counter; and there’s a fire-red lowrange warning.
In addition to a full battalion of
driving assistants, the Mercedes can be had with various massage functions, smartwatch connectivity, mood lighting, bespoke music and even a power nap feature to be relished in a parking area.
Australian sales kick off with the EQA 250, or buyers can lay down an extra $7300 for an Edition 1 model featuring polarising rose gold accents inside and out along with a rather ritzy cabin treatment.
Although there’s not a huge amount of power here – 140kW and 375Nm of torque – the Mercedes makes it count up to 60km/h. The first few centimetres of the throttle have all the progression of a light switch, but it can do the ‘EV thing’ if you ask. While putting the hoof down hard in an EV is sacrilege in the eyes of range-chasing purists, it’s hard not to enjoy the EQA’s ability to suck in the horizon with surprising vigour.
Get past the EQA’s jerky beginnings and it’s nicely refined. It’s a comfortable machine, complete with a cosseting ride. Does one really need the adaptive dampers? Not when the car is shod with standard-size wheels and tyres, but they are a must when you opt for the eye-catching multispoke 20-inch AMG rims and lowprofile tyres.
There’s almost no noise inside; the main audio source up to 20km/h is the subdued pedestrian warning chime, which later turns into a subdued hum. Under full throttle, the murmur swells to a discreet growl. Road and wind noise is subdued on the motorway – and that’s despite this Mercedes not using cameras for mirrors like other EVs, for example the Audi e-tron.
Despite being relatively unambitious both above and below the surface, the EQA in 250 guise puts forward a sensible case to join the world of EQ and EV. It lacks the flair and focus of its electric rivals, but it undercuts them anyway. Add in a competitive range of 480km and it gets easier and easier to ignore the Mercedes’ indistinct looks.
The EQA may not be the most exciting or ambitious EV on the market – or even in the EQ range for that matter – but it’s exactly what Mercedes needs in 2021.