Verdict

In contrast with Merc’s first EQ-specific mannequin, the smaller EQA represents fairly compelling worth for cash. It’s a formidable bundle, actually, with a great deal of equipment, smart and protected driving dynamics and an honest real-world vary. Charging speeds are aggressive if not fairly class-leading, and it’s definitely not missing the same old Mercedes sparkle contained in the cabin. It doesn’t afford the identical form of house benefits that bespoke EV rivals just like the Volkswagen ID.4 provide, nevertheless, so ensure this EQA will perform as required earlier than signing on the dotted line.  

As a carmaker, you’ve acquired two selections in the case of engineering your new EV. You may both design a bespoke electrical platform from the bottom up, or adapt an current petrol or diesel mannequin to make the battery, motor and related {hardware} match.

Mercedes selected to do the latter when launching its first electrical automobile, the EQC, and is repeating the recipe with its new EQA. Based mostly on the petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid-powered GLA, it’s a zero-emissions SUV designed to tackle automobiles just like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Volvo XC40 P8.

Styling-wise, the EQA’s ties to the GLA are clear. Proportionally very related, Mercedes has tweaked it simply so, with a blanked-off grille and a full-width entrance gentle bar – identical to the one you’ll discover on the EQC. From the facet (and certainly, the driving force’s seat) you’d be arduous pressed to inform the EQA and GLA aside; one other full-width gentle bar and repositioned quantity plate full the modifications on the rear.

Costs for the EQA begin from simply £40,495 after the federal government’s £3k plug-in automobile grant (PiCG) has been taken under consideration. That’s considerably lower than the one barely extra spacious EQC (from £65,720) and on par with among the flashier GLA variants – representing what is kind of a big breakthrough in the case of electrical and petrol automobile value parity. 

Consistent with the remainder of the Mercedes vary, patrons can step up from Sport to AMG Line trim, in addition to add Premium and Premium Plus packs for added equipment and better luxurious.

Fundamental fashions come nicely outfitted, with 18-inch wheels, LED lights entrance and rear, plus sat-nav and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Each model additionally will get heated Artico man-made leather-based all through. Step as much as AMG Line and also you’ll add sportier styling, totally different wheels and illuminated door sills. Inside there’s a set of sports activities seats and a few brushed aluminium trim. The Premium pack (£3,000) brings 19-inch wheels, whereas additionally including a sliding panoramic roof and keyless go. Inside you get the augmented-reality nav system from the A-Class, in addition to wi-fi cellphone charging and an upgraded sound system.

The Premium Plus pack is one other £6,000, however this provides 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, an adaptive damper and a 360-degree parking digital camera, plus a Burmester stereo and a head-up show.

High quality, on the entire, is superb. A lot of the areas you work together with regularly are coated in soft-touch supplies, and solely lower-down on the sprint will you discover cheaper plastics. These coming from bigger, costlier Mercedes fashions could discover among the typical gloss black buttons have been changed by harder-wearing satin trim, however you get the identical trackpad and widescreen infotainment, giving an inside atmosphere befitting of the EQA’s price ticket.

In fact, the EQA is not going to solely enchantment to personal patrons seeking to reduce their impression on the atmosphere, the rock-bottom CO2 emissions and respectable 249-263-mile (relying on spec and wheel alternative) vary is bound to make it an organization automobile favorite. From April, enterprise customers operating an EQA – or any EV for that matter – pays Profit in Variety tax of only one per cent; a GLA 250 e PHEV falls into the 11 per cent bracket, whereas the diesel GLA 220 d instructions a 32 per cent ranking. 

That aforementioned vary is aggressive on this space of the market; on par with the Volvo, if barely behind the forthcoming ID.4. On a vivid however cool winter’s day we noticed greater than 200 miles on a full cost, and even after a full morning of unsympathetic testing, the EQA’s journey determine refused to drop considerably out of kilter with precise miles pushed.

Charging is one other space the place the EQA is aggressive, if not class-leading. The smallest Mercedes EV will settle for a public fast cost of as much as 100kW (the Volvo will cost at as much as 150kW; the VW tops out at 125kW), permitting for a 10-80% cost in half-hour. It will probably additionally deal with 11kW three-phase charging from empty to full in 7h 15mins, although the extra frequent 7kW house wallbox will carry out the identical activity in round 11 hours.

Our first take a look at of a production-ready EQA comes courtesy of a left-hand-drive German-spec Version mannequin, which – 18-inch wheels and winter tyres withstanding – is carefully comparable with the UK market AMG Line Premium Plus.

And regardless of being over 200bhp down on the XC40, the EQA is not any slouch. That acquainted hit of on the spot electrical torque is current and proper, however away from full-bore standing begins, the Mercedes provides a softer and extra progressive energy supply. Being front-wheel drive (moderately than 4MATIC) makes it really feel lighter on its ft than the a lot heavier EQC, too.

It’s arduous to get a real really feel for the EQA’s dealing with given the actual fact our automobile was on the smallest wheels shod in winter rubber, however nevertheless it was pushed the electrical SUV displayed a predictable and protected method. The sunshine steering and its tendency to roll by the bends greater than, say, a Polestar 2, don’t make this a automobile you’ll relish throwing down your favorite again highway.

However don’t let that detract from what an completed all-rounder the EQA is. You don’t get the double-glazed acoustic glass discovered on some costlier Mercedes fashions, and but it stays a refined and quiet place to spend time. You’ll hear little or no round city, actually, with solely a level of muted wind whistle and tyre noise on the motorway. Robust regenerative braking makes this a automobile you may drive largely on one pedal, too.

The adaptive dampers on our take a look at automobile had little or no impact on the way in which the EQA drove – both at a cruise or when cornering. Even driving the identical stretch of highway back-to-back proved the distinction between Sport and Consolation was negligible; once more making one query the price of the top-end Premium Plus spec.

Maybe the one remaining space of consideration is practicality, and that is presumably the EQA’s Achilles heel. Its boot is considerably smaller than the equal GLA, and down on the pure-electric Volvo XC40’s, too. The truth is, at 340 litres the Merc’s load bay is extra compact even than the boot you’ll discover in a Renault Clio supermini.

Nonetheless, what you lose in boot house you acquire in cabin quantity. There’s sufficient house within the again for six-foot adults to sit down behind similarly-sized entrance passengers – even with our automobile’s panoramic roof. Each head and leg room are beneficiant, and whereas the ground isn’t utterly flat, there’s solely a small transmission hump for middle-seat occupants to deal with.