Mercedes Benz EQA Electric

By reducing the cost overrun of this EQA to only 4,000 euros compared to the GLA from which it derives, Mercedes seems to be "promoting" its electric SUV, whose range is just fine. The only thing left is the braking system, which needs to be revised!

There are those who offer specific electric models, such as Nissan, Renault or VW, and others who prefer to derive their zero emissions from an existing thermal version. Mercedes is one of them. Its EQA is the electric version of the GLA, just as the EQC derives from the GLC, and the future EQB from the seven-seater GLB. The profile of the star SUV will be recognizable, with only a few differences at the front and rear. The gloss black grille is fully enclosed and features two chrome bars in AMG Line finish. While the headlights adopt the bluish eyebrows typical of the group's electrified models. At the rear, a thin red stripe joins the lights, while the license plate is lowered. These small changes make the EQA 5 cm (4.46 m) longer than the GLA.

Most embarrassingly, this large battery pack has an impact on the weight of the EQA which, at 2,023 kg measured, exceeds the already light rechargeable hybrid GLA by almost 188 kg, and by no less than 433 kg that of a gasoline GLA! Fortunately, thanks to the 190 hp and, above all, the 375 Nm of torque immediately available thanks to the electric motor driving only the front wheels, performance does not suffer too much from this additional weight. Without giving the impression of forcing itself, the EQA starts strongly at the stoplight and exudes a very vigorous acceleration (only 5.9 seconds from 80 to 120 km/h), equivalent to that of its GLA cousins equipped with automatic transmission. You still have to hold the steering wheel, which jerks left and right under the effect of the high torque, but overtaking is safe on secondary roads.

Inside, we find the neat GLA dashboard, with the only possibility of having blue decorations, again to evoke the electricity that drives it. The EQA uses the two large and beautiful 10.25-inch screens that replace the meters and manage the infotainment system. One of the best systems in terms of screen quality and responsiveness, coupled with a very effective voice command system that allows you to control most functions - especially the GPS - without taking your eyes off the road or having to navigate menus.

The interior also remains the same, so it's enough to accommodate large teenagers in the back, although the very low seats make it uncomfortable to sit in them over time. But this switch to electric power has some consequences. In fact, the large 66.5 kWh usable battery pack, housed in the underbody and partly under the sliding seat, prevents the seat from having the GLA's sliding function. The trunk, which houses the on-board chargers under its floor, loses 8 cm in height, and thus about 50 Dm3 in the process (300 Dm3 under the shelf here).

The EQA is quite accomplished, except for its braking, but its 66.5 kWh range is a bit disappointing. With 305 km in the city and 281 km on the highway, it doesn't do as well as the Koreans and no better than a VW iD3 with 58 kWh. The Mercedes SUV does better on the highway with 260 km, a route where its versatility depends on fast charging stations (accepts 100 kW), where a recharge from 10 to 80% takes 30 minutes.... to be renewed every hour and a half! On the secondary network, with the integrated 11 kW charger, it will take more than 6 hours to fill up (about ten hours on a 7.4 kW Wallbox), and more than 33 hours on a domestic socket.

• Power: 190 hp
• Electric
• Consumption: 15.9 kwh/100 km
• Autonomy: 66.5 kwh
• Warranty up to 2 years
• Length: 4.46 meters
• 5 seats
• Price: From 47900 €

mercedes-benz-eqa-electric INFO .PDF