Mercedes-Benz EQA Review 2023
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is an upmarket small electric SUV. An electric version of the existing GLA, the EQA comes with a great range of technology and up to 324 miles of range.
Rivals to the EQA include the Kia Niro EV, Volkswagen ID.3, Volvo XC40 Recharge, and Tesla Model 3.
Our Mercedes-Benz EQA review covers:
- Good-looking exterior with a plastic front grille and minimalist rear end
- Luxurious interior with a good design and fantastic tech
- 340-litre boot
- Three electric engines available
- Four trim levels
Pros:
- Superb interior
- Good electric range
- Plenty of technology
Cons:
- Boot space is quite small
- Not as fast as rivals
- Rear seats are a bit uncomfortable
The EQA is a fine-looking car. It has a large plastic panel instead of a front grille, five-spoke alloy wheels, a sloping rear roof, and a minimalist rear end with a central logo and a light strip running across the boot.
There's a decent amount of space in the EQA, and a family of five should be able to easily fit in. Up front, there's loads of room for two six-footers, while three children should be able to fit in the rear. It's worth noting that the rear seats are quite low because of the batteries below the floor, so adults might find it slightly uncomfortable on longer journeys.
Boot space comes in at 340 litres for the EQA, which is 100 litres less than the original GLA. It's also smaller than the boots found in the Kia Niro EV and Volvo XC40. If you need more room, you can fold the rear seats 40/20/40.
Where the EQA stands out is its interior. Although a fairly basic design, the cabin looks amazing and features a range of high-quality materials, such as soft-touch plastics and a leather steering wheel. It's that good, it gives the XC40 a run for its money.
In the middle of the dashboard is a 10-inch infotainment system that comes with a DAB radio, smartphone integration, sat-nav, and voice recognition. This is accompanied by another 10-inch screen behind the steering wheel for the digital instrument display.
Both display sharp graphics and are responsive, but the infotainment system lacks a rotary controller like you'd find in BMWs.
Four trim levels are available: Sport Night Edition, AMG Line, AMG Line Premium, and AMG Line Premium Plus.
Sport Night Edition has 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, privacy glass, ambient lighting, comfort seats with four-way lumbar support, heated front seats, a multifunction steering wheel in leather, a 10-inch infotainment system, a reversing camera, and various safety systems.
AMG Line has 18-inch alloy wheels, a black radiator grille, aluminium roof rails, AMG sports seats, and a multifunction steering wheel in nappa leather.
AMG Line Premium has 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless go, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, an advanced sound system, augmented reality for navigation, a 360-degree camera, and wireless chagrin for mobile devices.
AMG Line Premium Plus has 20-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable suspension, an electric panoramic glass sunroof, a Burmester surround sound system, a head-up display, and an interior assistant.
There are three electric battery and motor combinations available in the EQA. All units come with an automatic transmission, and the entry-level unit has front-wheel drive while the other two have four-wheel drive.
The entry-level unit is the 250+, which uses a 70.5kWh battery to help generate 190hp. It has a top speed of 99mph and achieves 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds. It builds pace smoothly and gets up to motorway speeds with no fuss, but it isn't as powerful as the units in the Kia Niro EV and Volvo XC40.
The next two units come with four-wheel drive and use a 66.5kWh battery to achieve a power output of 228 (300 4MATIC) and 292 (350 4MATIC). The former achieves 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds, while the latter does it in six seconds flat.
All units come with rapid charging capabilities of just over 30 minutes. The 250+ has the most range with 308 - 324 miles, while the other two max out at 268 miles.
The EQA feels pretty good on the road, but it's noticeable that it's not as powerful as its rivals.
Around town, the EQA is superb. The engine is quiet, which makes for a relaxing experience, and the suspension deals well with bumps in the road and potholes. If you've got adaptive suspension, you can choose between soft, comfortable, and firm settings depending on the experience you want.
As you increase the speed, the EQA feels at home cruising on the motorway. Again, engine noise is kept to a minimum, and the suspension is superb, and you'll hardly notice anything.
Get on a country road, and you'll begin to notice the limitations of the EQA. Yes, the steering is pretty light and accurate, but there's not much feedback through the steering wheel. There's also a bit of body roll to deal with. If you want a more engaging drive, go for the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Prices for the new Mercedes-Benz EQA start from £43,700.00 OTR* or to lease from £337.02 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz EQA? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
