Mercedes EQA review

If you take the Mercedes EQA in isolation it appears to offer all you could want from an upmarket small SUV: the expected air of quality and refinement, a first-rate cabin and the all-important infotainment and tech systems that buyers demand. Plus, the EQA looks reasonable value, particularly when compared to its painfully more expensive EQC sibling.

Buyers seeking the best overall package, however, will no doubt be tempted by rivals such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y, both of which provide more space, better range and starting prices that undercut the EQA.

If you really want the three-pointed star on your drive, then the EQA is a perfectly fine choice, but just make sure it works for your needs, and that you can live with some of its compromises before you buy.

About the Mercedes EQA

The electric revolution is rapidly gathering pace as we approach 2030, when manufacturers will no longer be permitted to sell new petrol or diesel-powered cars in the UK. Plenty of brands have now embraced electric cars, but Mercedes is fully into its stride with its battery-powered EQ SUV range that currently includes the smaller EQA and EQB, mid-size EQC, as well as the larger and more luxurious EQE SUV and EQS SUV.

Based on the combustion-engined GLA model, the all-electric EQA is similarly styled to Mercedes’ smallest SUV, with the most telling signs that you’re looking at the zero-emissions car being a blanked-off grille, full-width light bars at the front and back, and the rear number plate positioned below the tailgate.

Being so closely related to the GLA is no such a bad thing, especially as we named it our Small Premium SUV of the Year in 2022, with the in-car tech systems that also feature in the EQA being highlighted for special praise.

How much does the Mercedes EQA cost?

Priced from around £52,000, the EQA doesn’t include an ‘entry-level’ trim, so you benefit from a decent level of standard equipment.

The Sport trim is no longer available on the price list, although if you track down a used example you'll benefit from a model that includes 18-inch alloy wheels, two 10-inch displays, a reversing camera and heated seats.

Mercedes now offers just the AMG Line specification with the option to upgrade to either the Premium or Premium Plus pack. AMG Line features the eponymous styling kit, sports seats and a multifunction sports steering wheel, while the Premium pack adds bigger wheels, a panoramic glass sunroof, an upgraded audio system and a wireless smartphone charging function. The top-of-the-range Plus pack includes electrically adjustable damping suspension with speed sensitive power steering, and is identified on the road by its 20-inch multi-spoke AMG alloys.

The EQA 300 4MATIC and 350 4MATIC versions both use a 66.5 kWh battery, delivering 225bhp and 288bhp respectively and the reassurance of all-wheel drive. Meanwhile the front-wheel drive EQA 250+ is fitted with a 70.5kWh battery, produces 187bhp and offers a maximum range of 311 miles. 

Electric motor, drive and performance

The roots of the EQA can be traced back to the GLA compact SUV and it would seem that Mercedes has prioritised comfort and refinement for its entry-level electric car, rather than aspiring to deliver too much in the way of sporting ability. Decent levels of regenerative braking mean that you can drive mostly with one pedal, which makes trips around town a little easier, too.

The EQA handles in a predictably safe and secure fashion, but the light steering lacks feel and the car is inclined to wallow through the twisty stuff. It means that keen drivers won’t particularly relish time behind the wheel, and based on our experience will be better served by the BMW iX1.

During our time with the EQA we also noticed a high-pitched whine under harder acceleration, which proved to be a minor irritation, while the throttle was sometimes difficult to modulate, meaning that achieving a constant speed in town traffic was harder than it should've been.

All EQA models come with Mercedes’ Comfort suspension, although there is the option of upgrading to the Premium Plus trim which features adaptive dampers to help deliver a more spirited drive. That said, this tech was fitted to one of the EQA's we've drove and it had little impact on the driving dynamics, so we’d question whether the top specification is worth the extra money.

Anyone that’s driven an all-electric car will probably appreciate the instant hit of torque and rapid acceleration from a standing start, and the EQA doesn’t disappoint in this regard – just don’t expect supercar-rivalling sprints off the line. For those seeking a little more sure-footedness on the road, the all-wheel drive 4MATIC versions will offer some appeal, although the front-wheel drive EQA 250+ feels more nimble and is the lighter option too.

0-62mph acceleration and top speed 

The front-wheel-drive EQA 250+ variant produces 187bhp and and is capable of 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds. Moving further up the range, the 225bhp 300 4MATIC manages the same sprint in 7.7 seconds, while the top-of-the-range 288bhp 350 4MATIC is quite a bit quicker, taking just six seconds to complete the 0-62mph sprint. Regardless of which EQA you go for though, the top speed is 99mph.

Range, charging and running costs

Mercedes claims the EQA 250+ has a maximum range of 311 miles, while the dual-motor 300 4MATIC and 350 4MATIC versions should be able to cover up to 259 miles on a single charge, according to the German carmaker. However, real-world range for all electric cars can be affected by a number of different factors, including weather variations, driving style, vehicle load and even the starting charge of the battery and what optional equipment the car is fitted with. 

We managed over 200 miles in our EQA test car during pretty chilly weather and found the trip computer to be reassuringly accurate – staying true to the amount of ground we’d actually covered. This will be of particular benefit to anyone with high levels of range anxiety when driving a battery-powered car.

The EQA's 100kW maximum charging speed is decent enough, but the Merc trails behind the BMW iX1 and electric Volvo XC40 which can reach up to 130kW and 200kW respectively. It should take just over 30 minutes to replenish the EQA’s battery from 10 to 80 per cent using a public rapid charger, and between nine and 10 hours to fully recharge the EQA using a typical 7.4kW home wallbox.

Starting from over £52,000, the EQA is pretty expensive for an electric SUV of this size, but it benefits from the same perks as all electric cars. That includes an exemption for road tax (VED) and the London Congestion Charge until 2025, plus company car drivers are sure to enjoy the 2 per cent Benefit-in-Kind tax rate the EQA attracts for the next few years. 

Insurance

Compared to the combustion-engined GLA model, the EQA will be quite expensive to insure. The entry-level EQA 250+ sits in group 38-39, depending on which trim level you choose, while the GLA range starts from group 27 and only climbs above group 40 for the performance-orientated AMG versions.

The 225bhp EQA 300 4MATIC attracts ratings of groups 42-46, with the 288bhp 350 4MATIC variants landing in groups 44-45.

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Depreciation

According to our expert data, the Mercedes EQA will retain between 52 and 57 per cent of its original value after three years of ownership and 36,000 miles.

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Interior, design and technology

Rather than design and build a bespoke platform for the all-electric EQA, Mercedes chose to adapt the existing architecture from its GLA small SUV. Space has been created under the vehicle floor to house the electric motor and a battery pack, while the platform has been strengthened to support this extra load. With a kerb weight of well over 2,000kg, the EQA is a heavy car; a full 500kg more than the closely related GLA.

At first glance, the EQA appears to be a dead ringer for the GLA combustion-engined car. While this is largely true, there are a few tell-tale signs that give the game away and let people know that this is an all-electric model. The EQA has softer lines compared to the rest of the A-Class family, along with a blanked-off grille – the focus being to create a smooth exterior to help reduce unwanted drag and move more cleanly through the air.

Inside, perceived quality remains high with lots of soft-touch materials on regular touchpoints, although in our test car we did notice some lower-grade plastics used elsewhere in the cabin.

Standard kit is pretty generous with the popular AMG-Line trim including LED headlights, rear privacy glass, heated front sports seats and climate control, along with an aggressive exterior styling kit, a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel trimmed in Nappa leather and plenty of aluminium trim.

Upgrading further to the Premium spec brings luxury items such as a sliding panoramic glass sunroof, a wireless smartphone charging pad and an upgraded 10-speaker audio system.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The EQA features two 10-inch displays which create a widescreen look across the top of the dash. Mercedes' intuitive MBUX infotainment system is as excellent as ever, with three large icons on the home screen, and further functions accessed by swiping left and right, just like a smartphone. The central touchscreen responds quickly to touches and the sat-nav loads quickly when planning a route; a fairly straightforward process thanks to large on-screen keys.

Unlike the very latest MBUX-equipped Mercedes, the EQA’s climate controls are physical; settings are adjusted by a bank of switches below the vents. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both standard across the EQA range, while the Premium pack adds an upgraded 225-watt Advanced Sound Sysem with ten speakers.

You have the option to upgrade the sat-nav to feature ‘augmented reality’ which helps with directions by overlaying arrows onto a live feed of the road ahead. We think it’s slightly gimmicky, although some of the Auto Express staff have been more positive about its usefulness - perhaps one to try before you buy.

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Practicality, comfort and boot space

The all-electric Mercedes EQA is a comfortable and refined premium small SUV. On the road very little noise enters the cabin, while the seats offer good levels of support and the regenerative braking system allows for one-pedal driving that helps to take the hassle out of navigating around town.

Extra touches such as an electrically-operated tailgate, a reversing camera and heated seats all come as standard and add to the premium feel of the EQA. If you are willing to part with a little more cash, the Premium pack offers a keyless-go function and Mercedes’ MBUX Interior Assistant which uses gesture control for the infotainment system.

Dimensions and size

Measuring 4,463mm in length, the EQA is 53mm longer than the GLA , although Mercedes' entry-level EV isn’t quite up to the scale of the 4,713mm Ford Mustang Mach-E or the Volkswagen ID.4 at 4,584mm. The Ford and VW are wider, too, at 1,881mm and 1,852mm respectively, against the Mercedes’ 1,834mm.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

The EQA offers decent interior space with enough room in the back for taller adults to sit behind the front passengers. There is plenty of head room in the rear, too, while anyone sitting in the middle seat shouldn’t feel too short changed in terms of comfort. The sizeable doors make entry and exit easier, too. We did find that the floor was quite high in relation to the seat base, so those travelling in the rear will have their legs set a little awkwardly away from the squab.

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Boot space

At 340 litres, the EQA’s boot is 95 litres down on the GLA model which might prove to be a sticking point for a growing family. What's more, the BMW iX1 offers s much more generous 490-litre boot, and the Audi Q4 e-tron's 520-litre luggage capacity will be hard to resist for those prioritising practicality. Fold down the rear seats in the EQA and you get 1,320 litres of space to play with, which is trumped by both of its key rivals from the BMW and Audi.

Towing

Buyers wanting decent towing ability will need to look to the all-wheel drive EQA 4MATIC versions which have a braked trailer towing capacity of 1,800kg. The front-wheel drive 250+ variant is limited to 750kg.

Reliability and safety

It’s hard to assess the EQA’s longer-term reliability at this stage, although we think that, given the amount of parts sharing with the GLA and A-Class models, the EQA should prove to be a sound bet.

The A-Class finished in 30th place (on a 75-car list) in our 2022 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, down from 23rd spot in 2021. Mercedes itself was voted into 23rd position (out of 29 brands) in the manufacturer ratings, down from 13th the previous year.

Euro NCAP gave the EQA its maximum five-star rating when it put the all-electric SUV through its stringent crash test procedures. For adult and child occupant safety the EQA recieved scores of 97 per cent and 90 per cent, respectively.

Standard safety kit is excellent with Active Brake Assist, Active Speed limit Assist, a Lane Keeping Assist function and a blind spot warning system fitted to all cars. Mercedes also includes its emergency call technology which, in the event of a crash, notifies the rescue services, relaying crucial information such as the vehicle’s exact location and how many people are in the car.

Warranty

Mercedes offers a three-year/unlimited-mileage warranty, the same kind of package supplied with Land Rover and BMW models, but one better than Audi which limits cover to three years and 60,000 miles. The EQA’s battery has a separate eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Servicing

The Mercedes ServiceCare plan allows customers to spread the cost of scheduled maintenance over monthly instalments. There are three levels of service packages to choose from for the EQA, with prices starting from £44 per month.

Mercedes EQA alternatives

The EQA goes up against some serious competition in the premium electric SUV segment, namely the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX1, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Tesla Model Y. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 also boast similar level of practicality, range and performance. All these rivals bring bags of kerb appeal that make the decision for buyers even more difficult at this price point.