This is the all-new Mercedes-Benz EQA

By topgear, 21 January 2021

Mercedes’ first EV – the EQC – was based on the GLC SUV. Welcome then, to the brand-new EQA. Care to guess what it shares its underpinnings with?

Yep, this new entry-level EV is essentially a revised and electrified version of Merc’s crossover’d A-Class. Looks fairly similar to the GLA too, doesn’t it? Of course, there are plenty of EQA-specific styling details, the most prominent being that blacked-out grille panel and the front and rear lightbars – something Merc wants to make a signature of for its EQ models.

It’s an impressively aerodynamic design too, with a drag coefficient of just 0.28. That’s aided by the almost completely enclosed floor and those aero-optimised wheels. Anyone else strangely keen on the rose gold 20-inchers you see above? 18s are standard fit.

GLA rear
GLA rim

The EQA 250 will be the only option at launch, with Mercedes describing it as the sweet spot for battery size and range. In the 250, a single electric motor drives the front wheels with 185bhp and 375Nm of torque. Top speed is limited to just 160kph and 0-100kph takes 8.9 seconds. Perhaps the most important stat, though, is the 265 miles (425km) of range from the 66.5kWh battery.

Other variants will follow, with Mercedes promising a 260bhp+ twin-motor all-wheel-drive version as well as an EQA with over 310 miles (500km) of range.

The interior will be familiar to anyone coming from a GLA, with the MBUX infotainment system offered with either two seven-inch screens or two 10.25-inch widescreen units. The only major difference will be the ‘Electric Intelligence’ that’s now incorporated into the navigation system. Not only does it allow the EQA to calculate its most efficient route, it also pre-conditions the battery to its optimum charging temperature when you get near to your designated rapid charge stop. Very clever.

Speaking of charging, the EQA gets 11kW AC capability and 100kW rapid charging. That’s enough for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in just 30 minutes.

There are three trim levels, with base spec Progressive models getting tech like lane keep assist, brake assist and full LED lights as standard. AMG Line brings sports seats, slightly different bumpers and a small rear diffuser, whilst the interestingly-named ‘Electric Art’ trim includes more rose gold touches. There’ll also be a special ‘Edition 1’ trim for the EQA’s first year on sale.

What else do you need to know? Well, there’s 200mm of ground clearance, a 340-litre boot (vs the GLA’s 495 litres) and prices will start from just over €47,000 (RM230k) in Germany. Thoughts folks?