If you take the Mercedes EQA in isolation it appears to offer all you could want from an upmarket small SUV: it brings 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 Volkswagen ID.4, both of which provide more space, better range and entry 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 now rapidly gathering pace, moving towards the 2030 date when manufacturers will no longer be permitted to sell new petrol or diesel-powered cars in the UK.
Following the introduction of its all-electric EQC SUV in 2019, Mercedes is now fully into its stride with its battery-powered EQ range incorporating the smaller EQA and EQB SUVs, the EQV premium MPV and the EQS luxury saloon.
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 battery-powered 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 bad thing - we named it our Small Premium SUV of the Year in 2020, with the in-car tech systems that also feature in the EQA being highlighted for special praise.
However, the EQA will be up against some serious EV competition in the shape of the Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 and Tesla’s Model Y SUV. In addition to decent practicality, range and performance, all these rivals bring bags of kerb appeal to make the decision for buyers even more difficult.
Priced from around £44,500, the EQA doesn’t qualify for any government grant to help reduce the on-the-road cost, although the range doesn’t include an ‘entry-level’ trim as such, so you benefit from a decent level of standard equipment.
First on the EQA price list is the Sport trim, which includes 18-inch alloy wheels, two 10.25-inch digital displays, a reversing camera and heated seats, followed by the AMG Line specification which adds the eponymous styling kit, sports seats and a multifunction sports steering wheel.
Upgrading further to the Premium and Premium Plus packs adds bigger wheels, a panoramic glass sunroof, an upgraded audio system and a wireless smartphone charging function among other luxury features.
All EQA versions use a 66.5kWh battery but there are three different power outputs available. The EQA 250 produces 187bhp, above that sit the all-wheel-drive EQA 300 4MATIC and EQA 350 4MATIC variants, delivering 225bhp and 288bhp respectively.