Mercedes EQA Review & Prices

The Mercedes EQA is an alternative to the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-e and Audi Q4 e-tron. You’re actually spoilt for choice in the circa-£50k electric SUV market, with the likes of the Volkswagen ID4, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Skoda Enyaq all offering combinations of value, practicality and range.

The EQA is based on the combustion-engined Mercedes GLA, and switching from old to new is like coming across an android version of yourself. It looks really familiar, but it just goes about things in a quiet and efficient way. You can’t imagine the EQA having a laugh or telling rude jokes; it’s like a really sensible version of yourself.

How to tell the difference between the two? For a start, the EQA has no grille – electric cars don’t need big grilles, because they don’t have a hot engine that needs cooling. Instead, you get a big piece of shiny plastic, with a small air intake underneath – just like on the bigger EQC.

The full-width daytime running light between the headlights has also been inspired by the EQC, though you can also get them on a Volkswagen Golf, so it’s not the fancy feature it perhaps once was.

Mercedes EQA: electric range, battery and charging data

Range: 260-345 miles
Efficiency: 3.3-4.3 miles per kWh
Battery size: 67kWh / 71kWh
Max charge speed: 100kW
Charge time AC: 9hrs 15mins, 10-100%, 7kW / 10hrs, 10-100%, 7kW
Charge time DC: 32mins, 10-80%, 100kW / 35mins, 10-80%, 100kW
Charge port location: Right rear
Power outputs: 190hp / 228hp / 292hp

It’s a bit trickier to tell the Mercedes EQA from the GLA when you look at it from the side, but the electric model does get some chrome strips, side skirts and a set of new alloy wheels. These kick-off at 18 inches, can be had up to 20 inches, and have all been designed to cut through the air better than the alloys on a GLA.

The designers have been busy at the back, too. You get some new brake lights and another full-width light bar. And, because this takes up a lot of space on the bootlid, Mercedes had to move the number plate down onto the bumper instead.

The EQA’s interior is basically the same as the GLA’s. It has the same simple layout and an almost identical dual-screen infotainment system as standard. This means you get two 10-inch displays that look great.

There’s also the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command feature, which tries its best to understand commands spoken in plain English. Although, this system isn’t as good as BMW’s personal assistant.

Sat-nav comes as standard, and it’ll let you program routes according to where the fastest charging points are located, and how much charge you want to have in reserve when you arrive.

There are three trim levels, called AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus. They have similar names and similar specifications, with even the base models getting most of the standard kit, short of augmented reality sat-nav, an upgraded sound system and wireless phone charging.

You also have three battery and motor combinations available. The EQA 250+ has the biggest battery and front-wheel drive, with a power output of 190hp. The result is the longest range in the line-up at up to 324 miles. The EQA 300’s has all-wheel drive and a 228hp motor, which combine for a lower range of up to 268 miles. At the top of the range is the EQA 350, which differs slightly from the 300 in having more power at 292hp, but this doesn’t impact range projections.

With our range test that was mainly motorway miles, the EQA did 208 miles on a full charge. That's 79% of its claimed range at 3.2 miles per kWh. Given the official figures put it at 4.0 miles per kWh, the EQA didn't perform the best.

The standard Mercedes EQA gets regular coil springs and dampers. But you can get adaptive suspension on top-spec models. This lets you choose from soft, comfortable settings, or firm everything up to make the EQA feel sportier to drive. It works well, dealing with road scars and speed bumps, but it’s not the most comfortable car you can buy.

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The Mercedes EQA is quite pricey, even by electric SUV standards. It starts at just over £50,000 for lower-spec, higher range versions and going up to about £60,000 for more powerful, high-spec trims.

If practicality is important to you then there are definitely better options, though most don’t quite have the Mercedes’ badge appeal. Top-spec versions of the Skoda Enyaq are similarly priced to entry EQAs, but the boot is massive at 585 litres, while the similarly priced Volkswagen ID4 has 543 litres.

If you’re more concerned about range, the Ford Mustang Mach-e is a good shout. It’s priced around the same as the EQA, but its long range model can go up to 372 miles between charges.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is a pretty close comparison to the EQA. It’s a bit less expensive but can go about the same distance on a battery and has a bigger boot. The BMW iX3 feels a bit too pricey in this company, starting at over £60,000 with a range of about 285 miles.

The driving experience is light, quiet and nippy in town, but feels a bit pedestrian out of it

In town

Electric cars tend to spend a great deal of their time in town, so they have to excel there, and the EQA does very well indeed.

The lofty driving position gives a great view of not only the other traffic but also both front corners of the car, which makes manoeuvring much easier.

The powertrain itself is also very quiet, in fact it’s almost silent, which makes for a very relaxing experience, although the performance it puts out is a bit more tame than we’ve come to expect from electric vehicles. In reality, it’s going to be brisk enough for most.

That’s the ‘go’ covered, so what about the ’stop’. Well, the brakes are strong, but they can be quite grabby, making smooth progress frustrating. You can also adjust the level of regeneration from the electric motor, and in its strongest setting it slows the car pretty abruptly when you ease off the accelerator. In effect, you can drive the car just using the right-hand pedal, with no need to touch the brakes in most scenarios.

The standard Mercedes EQA gets regular comfort suspension, but higher-specification models get adaptive suspension. You can choose soft, comfortable settings, or firm everything up to make the EQA feel sportier to drive. It works really well, dealing with road scars and speed bumps easily, but it’s not enough of an improvement to justify the extra cost alone.

On the motorway

The EQA feels similarly at home on the motorway. The premium look and feel of the interior is complemented by how quiet and refined it is when cruising at higher speeds. At lower speeds the car can become unsettled by rough roads, but it’s better on the motorway, particularly with the smaller alloy wheels on our test car.

The EQA is a fairly relaxing car to drive over long distances. Thanks to the lack of engine, road and wind noise, as well as the fact the motors don’t quite have the energetic dartiness you get from most EVs, it’s easy to get into a smooth flow and enjoy the miles between chargers.

In the long range model, 300 miles should be achievable in mixed driving, meaning longer road trips shouldn’t require too much pre-planning for charging stops.

On a twisty road

The Mercedes EQA is less at home in the twisties. The light steering that’s helpful around town becomes a nuisance in corners, with very little feedback from the front wheels meaning you won’t have much confidence to carry speed.

There’s quite a bit of body roll to contend with, too. You can pop it in Sport if you have the adjustable suspension and that improves things a bit, but the EQA will never be overly fun to hustle along a country road. If this is your preference, the Mustang Mach-e would be a much better choice.

Front seat space is decent, but those in the back will be cramped and boot space is poor

There's plenty of space up front, so the two occupants will have no reason to complain. There’s also decent in-car storage, with space under the centre console and in front of that, there are a pair of cupholders and yet more storage. You’ll also find a USB-C slot and a 12-volt socket.

The glovebox isn’t huge but it does come with an extra shelf. Meanwhile, front door bins are big enough to take a couple of water bottles each. There are large door bins in the back doors too.

It’s easy enough for the driver to get comfortable, too, with electrically adjustable seats with a decent range of movement and a steering wheel that adjusts for reach and rake. It means it’s easy to sit in a high, commanding position that gives a great view of the road ahead.

Space in the back seats

Moving backwards, your first impression is likely to be that there’s just as much room in the back as there is in the GLA, but it’s all a very clever illusion.

You see, the batteries sit partially beneath the rear seats, which has meant the seats themselves have had to be lowered to preserve headroom. The downside of this is that you end up sitting with your backside not that much higher than your heels, in almost a squatting position. Not that comfortable at all.

Also, the standard GLA’s rear seats can be slid backwards and forwards to prioritise rear legroom or boot space as needed, and the backrest reclines too, but none of this is available in the EQA. Pity.

Back-seat passengers also get a couple of USB slots and can pull down the centre armrest to access two more cup holders.

There are two ISOFIX anchor points on the outside seats and fitting a rear-facing child seat is easy as you shouldn’t have to move the front chair forward to fit it.

Boot space

Boot space has taken a hit with the presence of the batteries beneath the boot floor.

For comparison, the standard GLA has 435 litres of boot space when measured to the parcel shelf, but the EQA has just 340 litres, and there’s no clever under-floor storage.

A quick refresher on how that compares to other alternatives: The Enyaq is the pick of the bunch at 585 litres, followed closely by the ID4’s 543 litres. The Q4 e-tron offers 520 litres, then it’s a bit of a drop to the XC40 Recharge at 461 litres and the Mustang Mach-e at 402 litres. Whichever way you look at it, the EQA just isn’t very practical.

The news isn’t all bad though, because you can still fit five carry-on cases in there, and there’s no lip to lug things over.

Fold down the rear seats in a standard GLA and you’re left with 1,430 litres of space, but the EQA cuts this to 1,320 litres. Still, at least the rear seats lie flat, and there’s no step in the boot floor.

The Mercedes EQA’s cabin is just as beautiful as that in the GLA, but the touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons can be fiddly

While the practicality might be enough to put you off, interior style is where the EQA claws back some points. There’s no denying it’s a lovely place to sit, with one of the fanciest dashboard designs you can buy.

It’s the same basic layout we’ve become accustomed to from the brand, but it just works so well, and the fit and finish is excellent. This is a genuinely premium product to justify its slightly lofty price tag and gives the Volvo XC40 Recharge a run for its money.

The twin-screen infotainment system uses a pair of 10.0-inch screen with the latest MBUX operating software. It’s perhaps beaten only by BMW’s iDrive, but it’s easily one of the best in the business, with slick menu design, clear graphics and an intuitive layout. You also have the choice of voice control, trackpad or touchscreen operating, all of which work well.

Negatives? There are a couple. The touch-sensitive dials on the steering wheel work okay, but they’re more fiddly than an old-school button. They work better than the versions found on newer Mercedes, though. Also, the silver buttons for the climate controls feel a touch cheap compared with the rest of the interior.

If range is key, you’ll want the entry-level version of the EQA, because it has a slightly bigger battery than the other two options, while the less powerful motor and two-wheel drive system sap less juice. As a result, the EQA 250+, with its 190hp motors, has a range of up to 324 miles.

Step up to the EQA 300 and you get four-wheel drive and 228hp, while the EQA 350 gets 292hp. Both have a range of up to 268 miles, though the latter is capable of the fastest acceleration, going from 0-60mph in 6.0 seconds. All models have a top speed of 99mph.

Charging from a home wallbox at 7.4kW will take 10 hours to go from 10-100% for the bigger battery, or just over nine hours for the smaller one. You’re looking at just over six hours for the big battery with an 11kW charger and just under for the smaller option. Meanwhile, all will take just over half an hour to go from 10-80% at a 100kW fast charger.

Because the EQA is a zero-emission vehicle there’s no vehicle excise duty to pay, and it’s also excluded from the premium that adds extra cost for cars costing more than £40,000. The benefit-in-kind rate will be 2% until the 2025/26 financial year, when it goes up to 3%.

You can rest easy knowing the Mercedes EQA comes with loads of clever safety tech. You get all the basic stuff, such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping alert, as standard but there’s also a system that’ll spot pedestrians in the road. It can also warn you if it spots someone on the pavement who looks like they’re about to step onto a zebra crossing, while it’ll alert you if you’re about to open your car door into pedestrians or cyclists.

Not only did the Mercedes EQA score five stars out of five in Euro NCAP safety testing, its individual section scores were excellent. In adult occupant protection it got a massive 97%, while child occupant protection was rated 90%. Its 81% and 75% scores for vulnerable road users and safety assist systems are also comfortably above what you typically see.

There have been no major issues recorded by owners in the few years the EQA has been on sale, and it probably helps that Mercedes based its electric model on the existing GLA, with many tried and tested parts. Electric vehicles also have fewer moving parts than combustion-engined cars, which means there's less to go wrong – in theory.