The first all-electric Mercedes-Benz compact SUV has finally landed

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has begun its EV adventure here in the country with the official launch of the new 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA. This all-electric compact SUV comes in one variant, which is the EQA 250 (CBU) but fitted with the AMG-Line exterior package as standard.

Those who are familiar with the GLA should feel right at home with the fully-electric EQA as they basically share the same platform and several body panels. Despite that, the EQA is more aerodynamically advanced due to the nature of its front and rear design to separate itself from its ICE-powered cousin.

This is clearly visible via its closed-off front end with one long continuous LED light strip (front and rear), AMG-Line front grille design, AMG-styled rear apron, and a set of 19-inch AMG five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels aka "Aero Wheels". In other words, it's a GLA at first glance, but the longer you look at it, the more EQA details you'll see.

On the inside, the EQA 250 is more or less the same as what you'll find in the GLA. Its Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system still consists of the twin 10.25-inch instrument and infotainment displays but with extended MBUX functions dedicated for the EQA. Other aspects that were included to set the EQA apart from the GLA are:

• Sport seats
• Thermotronic dual-zone climate control with rear vents
• EQ illuminated door sills
• Ambient lighting system
• Wireless charging pad
• Artico man-made leather/Dinamica microfibre upholstery + more

The highlight of the EQA 250 has to be its single asynchronous electric motor which powers the front wheels with 140kW (around 190hp) and 375Nm of torque. 0-100km/h is achieved in 8.9 seconds and top speed is limited to 160km/h. Those don't really matter for an EV, but what does matter is that its 66.5kWh lithium-ion battery is able to travel over 420km (according to the WLTP cycle) on a single charge. The downside of this battery pack is the reduction of boot space to 340 litres.

Speaking of charging, the EQA 250 comes with an onboard 11kW AC charger (Type 2) which can fully charge the battery in under six hours (30%-90% in three hours). It also supports DC charging up to 100kW which can get the EV juices up from 10% to 80% in 32 minutes. MBM is working on installing 13 DC fast chargers at its dealerships across Malaysia this year.

Alternatively, they are also working closely with Petronas and JomCharge where the first 1,000 EQ owners and customers can enjoy 50% discount when using any of the JomCharge charging stations nationwide. Those who are interested should know that the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 AMG Line is priced at RM278,201 (OTR excluding insurance).

Due to all the EV incentives presented by the Malaysian government, the EQA 250 is only about RM7,000 more compared to its petrol-powered GLA 250 cousin. All EQA units come with a four-year unlimited mileage warranty and an eight-year EV battery warranty (or 160,000km whichever comes first). Sweet? Sweet.