MERCEDES-BENZ EQA HATCHBACK EQA 300 4M 168kW AMG Line Prem Plus 70.5kWh 5dr At

The EQA brings Mercedes EVs into the mainstream. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

This is what the Mercedes of compact electric cars looks like. The EQA isn't the most sophisticated or longest-running small EV out there, but the Stuttgart maker is hoping that when it comes down to it, this will be the one that customers in search of a premium alternative would rather have.

Background

Mercedes has long needed a relatively affordable all-electric family hatchback. BMW has its iX1. Audi has the Q4 e-tron, Volkswagen has the ID.3 and ID.4. Plus there's the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Skoda Enyaq and the CUPRA Born. So Mercedes has pulled out all the stops to bring us this EQA. There wasn't time for the Stuttgart brand to construct a bespoke electric platform for this model of the kind that features on its competitors. So it must sit on the same MFA underpinnings as the compact GLA crossover it's based upon, a chassis not originally designed for full electrification. Quite a lot of work's had to go in then, to revise this platform to take the weight of this EQA's 70.5kWh drive battery. The pay-off though for Mercedes is that it means that this BEV can roll down the same German Rastatt production line as its GLA combustion engine counterparts. Let's take a look at what this car can offer.

Driving Experience

Setting off in this Mercedes feels all very normal. There's the same kind of starter button and column-mounted auto gear lever that you'd find in any normal combustion engine model in the Stuttgart maker's range. Mainstream versions of the EQA are based around a single powertrain and battery package, dubbed the 'EQA 250+'. Here, a 70.5kWh battery pack and a single asynchronous electric motor sit on the front axle and produce a combined output of 188bhp and 375Nm of torque. Drive is through the usual fixed-ratio auto gearbox common to full-battery models. Like all EVs, the EQA shoots away from rest like a scalded cat as all the torque is developed all at once. And, like all EVs, it runs out of puff a little once the 62mph mark is passed (in 8.9s), eventually topping out at just 99mph. If you want to go faster in an EQA, you'll need to talk to your dealer about the two 4MATIC models, the EQA 300 (with 228hp) and the EQA 350 (with 292hp), the latter capable of 0-62mph in around 6 seconds. These also use the 70.5kWh battery. Our focus here though, is on the volume EQA 250 derivative and the stat you'll be most interested in with that particular variant is driving range, rated at up to 346 miles from a single charge (the 4MATIC models deliver a max of 280 miles). To give you some segment perspective, a rival Volkswagen ID.3 with a 77kWh battery also manages up to 346 miles. Expect longer range EQAs in the future. To maximise the range you do have, you'll need to make proactive use of the various brake regenerative energy harvesting modes on offer. The most aggressive setting is 'D - -', in which you feel sharp retardation whenever you come off the throttle. That's useful in town, meaning you hardly ever need to use the brakes, except when coming to a complete stop. The least aggressive setting is 'D+', in which the car coasts without any perceptible off-throttle braking, maintaining momentum.

Design and Build

As is intentional, there's a clear visual connection between this EQA and its combustion-engined GLA conventional showroom stablemates. The two cars share the same steel bodyshell and bumpers, but the electric variant gets its own unique blanked-off front grille and some other lightly altered details. A horizontal fibre-optic strip connects the daytime running lights of the full-LED headlamps, ensuring a high level of recognisability both in daylight and at night. Exclusive to this model are light-alloy wheels in a bi- or tri-colour design, up to 20 inches in size, in some cases with rose gold-coloured or blue decorative trim. The interior's very recognisable from the GLA too, though there are EQA-themed instrument and infotainment graphics across the distinctive bonded twin screens that dominate the front of the cabin. The rear seat's a bit different though, mainly because the floor level's had to be raised to accommodate the battery pack that's been inserted beneath, there's also a transmission tunnel-like ridge running down the cabin centre. At least legroom isn't compromised over a normal GLA. Out back, the usual 481-litre boot you get in a combustion-engined GLA has been compromised in size a little here (to 340-litres), but the useful 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat of the conventional car has been retained.

Market and Model

OK: what'll you pay for an EQA? All the models available in this line-up now use the same 70.5kWh battery and nearly all sales are of the EQA 250+ variant we tried, which uses a front-mounted 190hp electric motor and is priced from around £50,000 in entry-level 'Sport Executive' form. Beyond that, there are 'Urban Edition', 'AMG Line Executive', 'AMG Line Premium' and 'AMG Line Premium Plus' trim levels available, the plushest and most powerful options taking the price up towards £60,000. The two more sophisticated EQA variants, the EQA 300 4MATIC and the EQA 350 4MATIC, add an extra electric motor on the rear axle to increase traction - and power, the '300' variant offering 228hp and the '350' version boosting that to 292hp. For these faster models, prices start from around £53,000 for the '300' and from around £54,500 for the '350'. If you like the idea of an EQA of some sort but need a bit of extra versatility, bear in mind that Mercedes also has its mechanically almost identical EQB SUV for relatively little more.

Cost of Ownership

Mercedes has improved the driving range of the base EQA 250+ with a larger 70.5kWh battery which will take up up to 346 miles. Mind you, you're going to need to make pretty proactive use of the brake regenerative settings to achieve that. The 300 4MATIC and 350 4MATIC AWD models can only go up to 280 miles. Either way, all EQAs will support both 11kW AC and 100kW DC charging. The 100 kW DC on-board charger allows the car to charge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 32 minutes, and from 10 to 100 per cent in seven hours and 15 minutes using an 11kW wall box (it's 10 hours 45 minutes with a 7.4kW wallbox). Navigation with Electric Intelligence - included as standard on both trim levels - calculates the route that will get the driver to their destination fastest, taking into account charging times, and taking the stress out of route planning. A three-year subscription to the Mercedes me Charge public charging service is also available as standard. With Mercedes me Charge, customers have access to what is currently the world's biggest charging network: this currently comprises more than 450,000 AC and DC charging points across 3 countries. Mercedes me Charge allows customers convenient use of the charging stations of various providers, even when travelling abroad. By registering just once, they can benefit from an integrated payment function with a simple billing process. Mercedes me Charge enables customers to charge at more than 175,000 public charging points throughout Europe; Mercedes-Benz ensures a subsequent offset with green power.

Summary

There's lots you might like about the EQA. It is, after all, a very Mercedes-style package, with a feeling of cabin elegance, sophistication and quality that many competitors struggle to match. And the compromises the battery system requires in terms of rear seat accommodation and boot space aren't too great. The brake regeneration system is excellent. The extensive 'Mercedes me' charging network and the easy way you can pay to use it is an obvious attraction. And residual values will probably be very competitive. If you can use all of these attributes to justify a car that costs slightly more than its most obvious rivals and goes a slightly lower distance than them between charges, then all well and good. If you can't, then lots of alternatives in this segment await your evaluation. Once you've tried them though, you might end up feeling that none have quite the class and appeal of an EQA. Such is the draw of the Three Pointed Star. We're a little disappointed that Mercedes chose to patch together an electric family car from the engineering of a combustion-powered one. But not everyone cares about design semantics of this sort and for the kind of people an EQA is aimed at, what's delivered here will probably be sufficient to satisfy. We always thought though, that the Mercedes mantra was 'The best or nothing'. Which means that in this case, the best is clearly yet to come.

Body Glass

Electric front windows

Electric rear windows

Privacy glass - heat insulating dark tinted glass

Rain sensor windscreen wipers

Rear wiper

Brakes

Anti-lock brake system

Electric parking brake

Electronic Stability Programme

Radar-based recuperation

Carpets/Rugs

AMG floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Comfort suspension ride height lowering with electically adjustable damping suspension

Communication

Wireless charging system for mobile devices

Driver Aids

Easy-pack tailgate

Driver Convenience

Driver monitoring camera

DYNAMIC SELECT with a choice of driving modes (max range, ECO, comfort and sport)

Speed sensitive power steering

Driver Information

Acoustic ambient protection

EQ navigation services - map (range display), display charging stations, programming of charging settings and pre entry climate control

Hard-disk navigation

Head up Display

MBUX augmented reality for navigation

MBUX Interior Assistant (gesture control)

Mercedes Benz emergency call system

Mercedes me connect

Service indicator

Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android auto

Trip computer

Driving Mirrors

Electrically adjustable door mirrors

Heated door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Light longitudinal grain aluminium trim painted

Entertainment

Burmester surround sound system with 12 speakers and a total system output of 590 watts

DAB Digital radio

MBUX multimedia system with widescreen cockpit (2X10" displays with touchpad)

Sound personalisation

Exterior Body Features

AMG Line bodystyling including AMG front apron with integrated air curtain and AMG rear apron with diffusor optics

Black roof rails

Body colour bumpers

Electrically operated panoramic glass sunroof

Grille with star pattern in chrome

Rear side wing doors

Wheel arch liners in the colour of the vehicle

Exterior Lights

3rd brake light

Daytime running lights

Front and rear LED light band

Front fog lights

LED High performance headlamps with adaptive highbeam assist

Surround lighting with projection of brand logo

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control

Interior Features

3 spoke AMG multifunction sports flat bottom steering wheel in nappa leather with galvanised shift paddles

AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals with aluminium rubber studs

Double Cupholder

Fluorescent jacket

Illuminated door sills with EQA lettering

Pedals aluminium with rubber studs

Reach and rake adjustable steering column

Rear armrest with storage + through load

Roof lining - Black fabric

Stowage compartment with retractable cover

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting with choice of 64 colour settings

Packs

Interior light package - EQA

Keyless go comfort package - EQA

Memory pack - EQA

Mirror package without dimming interior and drivers exterior mirrors- EQA

Night Package - EQA

Parking package with 360 degree camera - EQA

Seat comfort package - EQA

Stowage package - EQA

Winter pack - EQA

Safety

3 rear seatbelts

6 airbags - Driver, front passenger, curtain and side airbags

Child locks on rear doors

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Isofix child seat anchor points on outer rear seats

Knee bags

Seats

3 seat bench in 2nd row

40:20:40 split folding rear seats

AMG sports seats

Front and rear head restraints

Heated front seats

Single front passenger seat

Sports seats

Security

Guard 360 degree vehicle protection

Hands free access

Remote central locking

Vehicle Charging

100KW DC onboard charger

11KW onboard charger

Charging cable for wall box and public charging station - Type 2(mode 3) 5m

Combined charging system CCS-2 connector

Wheels

Summer tyres

Wheels - Alloy

20" AMG 10 spoke light alloy wheels aerodynamically optimised painted in high gloss black with high sheen finish

Wheels - Spare

Tirefit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Battery Capacity in kWh: 70.5

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 645

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 7.4

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 435

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 35

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 100

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 100

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Usable Battery Capacity: 70

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 18.4

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 18.5

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 18.4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.4

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 440

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 438

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 440

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 273

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 272

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 273

Emissions - ICE

CO: N

CO2 (g/km): 0

HC: N

HC+NOx: N

Noise Level dB(A): 68

NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Emissions: N

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

CC: 1

Compression Ratio: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Cylinders: N

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

Engine Code: N

Engine Layout: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Gears: 1 SPEED

Number of Valves: N

Transmission: AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Combined (mpg): N

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Urban (mpg): N

General

AdBlue: 0

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Badge Power: 228

Based On ID: N

Coin Description: N

Coin Series: AMG Line Prem Plus

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Generation Mark: 2

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 42E

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 6

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 2

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 97

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 90

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 81

NCAP Safety Assist %: 75

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Service Interval Mileage: 15500

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.7

Engine Power - BHP: 228

Engine Power - KW: 168

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - RPM: 7804

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 288

Engine Torque - MKG: 39.8

Engine Torque - NM: 390

Top Speed: 99

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 235/45 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 235/45 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: AMG 10 SPOKE

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1613

Height (including roof rails): N

Length: 4463

Wheelbase: 2729

Width: 1834

Width (including mirrors): 2020

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2540

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1320

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 340

Max. Loading Weight: 425

Max. Roof Load: 75

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1800

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 2115

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.4

Exterior Body Features

Manufaktur magno paint

Manufaktur metallic paint

Solid paint

Interior Features

Leather upholstery

Packs

Driving assistance pack - EQA

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Cosmos black

Metallic - High tech silver

Metallic - Mountain grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Polar white

Paint - Special

Manufaktur magno - Mountain grey

Manufaktur metallic - Patagonia red

Towing

Trailer coupling with ESP trailer stabilisation

Trim - Leather

ARTICO man-made leather / MICROCUT microfibre - Black with red topstitching

Leather - Black