Mercedes-Benz is slowly but surely expanding its all-electric range. At the bottom of the offering, the EQA recently joined the ranks. The electric ‘entry-level’ from Mercedes remains just under 50 grand, but what’s on and on for that money? Time to take a look at the price list and the configurator.
Mercedes-Benz EQA 250
€ 49,995
Except for five euros, the EQA 250 costs half a ton. Of course, those last few cents don’t make a significant difference, but the starting price may look less intense. As far as engine variants are concerned, the choice is still limited to the EQA 250. More powerful versions are in the pipeline. Not that the 250 with 190 hp, a battery capacity of 66.5 kWh and a WLTP range of 423 kilometers is a poor thing. Fast charging is possible with a charging speed of 100 kW, while the EQA charges with a maximum of 11 kW on alternating current. You always get a home charger for the socket and a 5 meter long Mode 3 charging cable for the wallbox.
Recognizable
Although the EQA is based on the GLA, it still has a face of its own. This is mainly due to the lighting: a continuous LED bar characterizes both the front and rear of the EQA. The shape and layout of the lamps also differ from the GLA, with the headlamps of the EQA being more like the A-class viewers. LED headlamps with Adaptive High Beam Assist are standard. Furthermore, the ‘grille’ of the EQA is a dense black panel and the bumpers are also designed differently from those of the GLA, with the license plate located in the rear of the bumper and not in the middle of the trunk. The closed grille is also less noticeable when you go for the standard color ‘night black’. All other eight colors have an additional cost that varies from € 254 for ‘polar white’ to € 2,238 for ‘designo mountain gray magno’, a matt lacquer. The EQA rolls at least on 18-inch alloy wheels, a size larger has an additional cost of € 666.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
Furthermore, the EQA has a chrome-plated window frame as standard and the roof rails are made of brushed aluminum. Other things that the EQA has on board for its starting price are an electric tailgate, a reversing camera and a light and rain sensor. If you want a sportier appearance, you can tick the AMG Line for € 4,707, with the bumpers being thicker and a double line running through the ‘grille’.
Small screens
Where it is not very clear from the outside that you are dealing with the basic version, that is more emphatically the case in the interior. The size of the screens is the most prominent. Large black areas are now visible around the two standard 7.25-inch displays, which fill the two larger 10.25-inch screens of the ‘widescreen cockpit’ at an additional cost. However, the MBUX multimedia system with navigation, the voice assistant, digital radio and Mercedes Me Connect is standard. A multifunctional steering wheel is also always included. You don’t have to pay extra for some extra cheerfulness in the black interior of the EQA, because mood lighting is also included as standard.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
In the basic version of the EQA, the automatic air conditioning can only be set for the entire car, not for different zones. The car can also be preheated remotely. Separate climate control is part of the Premium package, more about this later. You will have to adjust the front seats manually. The seating comfort package, with 5-way adjustable lumbar support, is included. The seats themselves are upholstered in a combination of leather-look Artico and black fabric. The headliner is also made of black fabric.
When it comes to safety systems, the EQA always has Active Brake and Lane Keeping Assist on board. The car also keeps an eye on whether you are not getting tired. Cruise control is standard, but for the adaptive variant you will have to make the cut. The driving modes are adjustable via ‘Dynamic Select’, but the suspension is not adaptive. The EQA has a comfort suspension as standard.
Bundling
In terms of options, Mercedes-Benz offers a number of packages: the ‘Advanced’, ‘Premium’ and ‘Premium Plus’. For € 2,783, the Advanced package includes the larger 10.25-inch displays, auto-dimming mirrors, Blind Spot Assist and the Parking package. The Premium package adds € 4,568 navigation with augmented reality, front seat heating, separate climate control, keyless go, wireless charging for the phone and an upgrade for the audio system. With the Premium Plus package, the EQA is pretty complete in the options for € 8,168, with the contents of the aforementioned packages plus the head-up display, electrically adjustable front seats with memory, a panoramic roof, the Burmester sound system and a 360-degree camera.
In addition to the aforementioned packages, some options are also listed separately on the price list, such as the driving assistance package including adaptive cruise control for € 1,730, adjustable damping at € 1,197 and the smartphone integration package for € 363, which adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the MBUX system. So you can still tick more than enough to flavor the EQA.