Mercedes-Benz now has electric cars called EQ models. The EQA is the smallest one, and it got some updates for 2024 to keep up with other new cars. It looks like a typical small Mercedes SUV on the outside and has a fancy dashboard inside. It’s similar to other premium electric cars like the BMW iX1 and Volvo XC40 Recharge. Unlike some rivals, the EQA is based on a regular petrol car, which helped Mercedes make it quickly and keep the cost down.
The EQA comes in different versions with fancy safety features. You can choose between front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. They all have the same big battery that can go up to 345 miles on a full charge.
How much space is there?
The EQA provides adequate space for the driver and passengers. The back floor is substantially flat, leaving plenty of room for rear-seat passengers’ feet. However, there isn’t quite enough width on the back bench for three people to sit comfortably. Three can fit, but it’s a tight squeeze.
However, rear legroom and headroom are adequate, and there are appropriately sized door bins and seat-back pockets, as well as air vents and two USB-C ports.
There’s a big space in the middle of the car with two huge compartments: one in front of the screen where you control the radio and stuff, and it has cup holders, a place to charge your phone wirelessly, and places to plug in USBs. There’s also a big box under the armrest that opens up in two parts like butterfly wings.
There are also large door bins in the front, which are split so that you can store a large bottle of water without it rolling about.
Boot space and storage.
The GLA’s boot is too tiny in comparison to its competitors, which is where it truly falls short. Only 340 liters are available due to the need to create room for the battery packaging. That’s less room than the Volkswagen Golf hatchback and 200 liters less than the Audi Q4 E-Tron.
There is a tiny under-floor storage compartment, which is useful, but it will most likely be used to keep the charging wires, given the EQA has no storage under the hood.
Fold the back seats for a better story and no load lip, making it simpler to carry bigger objects in. However, you still only have 1,320 liters to play with, so this is a relative improvement. The tailgate is electrically powered as standard, which is convenient.
Is it simple to park?
All variants include a rear parking camera and sensors, and the EQA has a relatively small 11.4-metre turning radius, making it simple to maneuver in and out of tight spots. If you choose the Premium Plus option, you will receive a 360-degree camera system, making things even easier.
The EQA’s somewhat bulbous design means that rear three-quarter visibility isn’t great, so the cameras and sensors really help, but at only 4.4 meters long, the EQA isn’t exactly a tank. The seamless application of the electric motor’s power also assists when parking.
Safety
- Five-star Euro NCAP test result and 97% adult protection grade.
- Active lane-keeping assistance is standard.
The EQA should be an incredibly safe vehicle, and not only because it achieved the highest possible score from Euro NCAP’s independent safety experts. Adult occupants received a 97% NCAP rating, children received 90%, and vulnerable road users received an excellent 81%.
The EQA is equipped with lane-keeping steering as standard, although it may be annoying at times. That’s because, in addition to flashing a warning on the dashboard and guiding the car away from the road marker you’re about to cross, it also taps the brakes. That might be aggravating if you’ve just gotten near the edge of your lane.
How about the quality and layout?
Mercedes-Benz kept the interior essentially unaltered for the 2024 model upgrade. That’s not a terrible thing since it looks attractive and creates a positive first impression.
So, the EQA’s interior is typical of a Mercedes-Benz. The large digital infotainment screens look great, and while there are two of them, they are hidden beneath a single black skin, adding to the car’s luxury image.
The major surfaces of the dashboard, center console, and so on appear and feel premium, while the key touchpoints are substantial and made of high-quality materials. But it isn’t ideal. However, there are some worse surfaces lower down in the cabin, and the column stalks one for the lights, indicators, and wipers, and another for the drive selection fall short.
Infotainment and technology
The large MBUX panels, which span half the width of the dashboard, look great, and you can customize the layouts and appearance with three distinct themes: Classic, Sport, and Progressive.
There are four ways to manage what happens on the two 10.0-inch displays. You may use the slightly awkward touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel or the fantastic ‘Hey, Mercedes’ digital voice assistant.
You can also use touchscreen control (the easiest but most annoying on the go), and the console has a laptop-style trackpad. At the very least, you’re not at a loss for options when engaging with menus.
Once within those menus, there might be a sense of information overload because there are so many options and sub-menus to choose from, covering everything from electric motor and battery performance to 64-color ambient lighting settings.
The images are well-designed, and they appear pricey and high-tech, tempting you to explore. Many owners will utilize Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which are now wireless.
What Power Options Are There?
The EQA is available in three electric powertrain configurations: one with a single motor driving the front wheels (the EQA 250) and two four-wheel-drive variants (the EQA 300 4Matic and 350 4Matic) with an additional electric motor driving the rear wheels.
The EQA 250 is, of course, the most economical type, and with 190 horsepower and 375 Nm of torque, it’s plenty powerful for most applications.
When you step on the gas, the EQA goes fast, just like other electric cars. It feels lively, especially when driving at slower or medium speeds. But it doesn’t keep going super fast for long, and the time it takes to go from 0 to 62 miles per hour (mph) feels about average – not too slow, but not super quick either.
The more powerful 300 4Matic boots produce 228hp, but with 390Nm of torque, it’s not a significant improvement over the 250 in real-world conditions, but it does cut little more than a second off the 0-62 mph speed. The 350 4Matic is significantly more powerful, with up to 292hp and 500Nm of torque, resulting in a very quick 6.0-second 0-62mph pace.
Despite the low claimed acceleration ratings, enthusiastic drivers will appreciate the EQA’s ability to cover terrain with surprising speed. The practically silent flow means you have little sense of speed, which is worth noticing if you don’t pay close attention to your speedometer.
Final Words
The Mercedes EQA is a cool electric car that’s small but comfy inside. It’s super safe and has neat features like big screens and lots of room for your stuff. Although its trunk is a bit small, it’s still handy. The car can go pretty fast and has different versions to choose from. Even though it’s electric, it feels quick and smooth to drive.
Overall, if you want a fancy electric car that’s safe and fun, the Mercedes EQA is a great pick!
