Mercedes-benz EQA Cheaper, longer-range version of Mercedes’ smallest EV joins a refreshed line-up On sale Spring Price from £49,750
ELECTRIC CARS ARE a bit like animals that must adapt to better suit their environment. And for the Mercedes-benz EQA, its mid-life update couldn’t have come at a better time.
You see, since the EQA was first introduced back in 2021, a flurry of new electric SUVS have arrived, including the Genesis GV60, Kia EV6 and Smart #1. This means it has a much wider field of rivals to contend with now.
The biggest change is the introduction of a new entry-level 250+ model. It pairs a 188bhp electric motor (driving the front wheels) with a 70.5kwh (usable) battery for an official range of up to 345 miles. That’s farther than the EV6 and #1 can go.
So far, we’ve driven the 250+, which provides smooth, linear power and feels quicker than its 9.1sec 0-62mph time suggests. However, the EQA falls short of its rivals when it comes to comfort; the ride is firm and unsettled at all speeds, while bumps send unpleasant thumps through to the interior.
The brakes also take some getting used to; they don’t combine well with the regenerative braking system (which helps to slow the car down when you lift off the accelerator while sending energy back into the battery), so pulling up smoothly can be tricky.
The interior, while smart to look at, doesn’t feel particularly solid, with hard, scratchy plastics used on the centre console and lower dashboard. The GV60 and #1 are better in this area.
Interior space is impressive, though, with plenty of head and leg room for six-footers in the back – even behind a tall driver. Boot space is also a reasonable 340 litres; that’s more than in the #1 but less than in the EV6.
You’d hope that the smallest electric Mercedes would be competitively priced, but with a starting price of £49,750, the EQA is pricier than the EV6 (£45,275), while the #1 is even less. And both rivals are more polished.
Spacious, with an impressive official range, but several rivals are more well rounded