Mercedes has unveiled the details and final look of its first compact and entry-level EV – the EQA. Set to go on sale in the spring as the base level car in an eight model, EQ-branded battery electric vehicle range, it will enter the growing premium small electric SUV segment.

Mercedes-Benz’s plans for its EQ range have been much vaunted in recent months, and with the EQA being the first out the blocks, the brand is evidently looking to get a foothold in a popular segment and at a price point which is achievable for a wider audience.

Mercedes is branding the EQA an ‘Electric athlete’, and reckons it offers an “excellent compromise between performance, costs and time to market – which we suspect means the waiting times won’t be crippling. The EQA is a close relation to the petrol GLA and retains many of the features and functions that existing owners will be familiar with, making the switch to electric power that much easier.

Powertrain

Initially, the EQA will be available in EQA 250 spec which means an 188bhp, 277lb-ft motor powering the front wheels, delivering 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 99mph. If those figures feel a bit reserved to you, don’t fret as Mercedes is planning to launch a dual motor, all-wheel-drive version with over 268bhp in the future.

Usable battery capacity stands at 66.5kWh which, thanks to efficiency of 15.7kWh/100km, delivers a WLTP range of 265 miles. Again, if that’s a bit anaemic for you, a long-range version offering over 300 miles will be made available down the line. The battery itself is a structural part of the car and is designed to improve overall strength.

Charging is possible at up to 100kW DC, enabling a full charge to be achieved in around 30 minutes whilst at 11kW AC using the on-board charger, an overnight charge takes five hours and 45 minutes.

Exterior features

Up-front, the EQA gets the ‘black panel’ radiator grille which is particular to EQ models. LED headlamps with EQ-specific blue strips are standard, as are daytime running lights connected by a horizontal fibre optic strip. Rear lamps are also full LED. 

Throughout the body shape, aerodynamics is at the forefront of the design and notably, the EQA is the first Mercedes whose aerodynamics has been designed entirely digitally. A drag coefficient of 0.28 demonstrates the success of this method. Features include a closed cooling system, efficient front and rear aprons and a smooth, enclosed underbody. Lightweight alloy wheels, specific to the EQA, are available in two or three-colour design (such as rosé gold) and up to 20 inches in size.

Should buyers wish the EQA 250 is capable of towing up to 750kg, with the forthcoming all-wheel-drive version having an even greater towing capacity.

Interior features and tech

Inside, and in a Mercedes first, the EQA gets back-lit trim. The trim itself can be specified in rosé gold (a recurring theme on the EQA), and the dashboard gets an EV-specific display which also picks up on that colour scheme. Ambient lighting can be changed between 64 shades. On a practical level, the rear seats are split folding 20:40:20.

As standard, the EQA gets the latest version of the MBUX entertainment system with high-definition touchscreen displays and Hey Mercedes voice activation. An optional feature is a full colour head-up display including navigation with augmented reality. Regular navigation, displayed on the central screen, is included as a standard feature.

A range of driving safety aids and features also come as standard, including active brake assist, active lane keep assist, and a host of airbags for driver and passengers and a reversing camera. Opt for the Driving Assistance Package and further features are added, such as an exit warning to alert the driver to approaching cyclists and a warning to alert the driver to pedestrians approaching a zebra crossing.

Price and availability

Update 04.02.2021: The all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQA is now on sale, with the entry-level EQA 250 Sport priced from £40,495 on-the-road including the plug-in car grant, while the EQA 250 AMG Line is available from £41,995.