Is the Mercedes EQA the best small electric premium SUV?
Exterior – Front
So, lets start with the design at the front of the EQA and you may be wondering what exactly is new. Well, it is becoming usual with Mercedes to do hardly anything with the design. You will see why later in the video. So, the bumper is the same style as before which is fine as it still looks modern and actually just like the new GLA and A Class bumpers. The headlights are the same as before too which means you get a light bar. The grill is different though which now incorporates the new Mercedes star mesh pattern. Apart from that though everything else is exactly the same as before.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side the changes are minimal and have just been kept to new wheel and colour options.
Exterior – Rear
Round the back and the changes are a bit more drastic. We do get a new style to the taillights that is actually different to the GLA and just like any other Mercedes EQ cars we get the usual light bar. Moving down to the bumper and it is also new with a new design with some chrome inserts that is new to that almost mimic an exhaust. Let’s have a look at the battery and motor options that you can have with the new Mercedes EQA Facelift.
Car and engine specs and price
So, the main changes for the EQA Facelift rely down on the battery and motor options. Lets start with the EQA250+. This has a 70.5 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor mounted on the front. This has 187 bhp and a 0-62 time of 8.6 seconds which is quicker than before. The range has also increased considerably from 311 to 344 miles. The next model is the EQA300 4Matic. This has a smaller 66.5 kWh battery pack and a 2-motor setup creating 228 bhp. 0-62 time is also 7.7 seconds which isn’t too bad. The last model is the EQA350 4Matic. This has a slightly smaller battery pack at 66.5 kWh and because it has 4-wheel drive there is 2 motors, one on each axle. Power has also increased to 288 bhp and the 0-62 time has been reduced to just 6 seconds. Range is only about 220 miles though but there is no surprise at that as there is 2 motors and a smaller battery pack. The price of the new Mercedes EQA Facelift starts at £49,750.
Interior – Design
Now getting inside the EQA and you are welcomed with the same changes as the GLA. To be honest it isn’t a bad place to be. You get the newer Mercedes steering wheel with touch sensitive buttons as well as the newer MBUX 2.0 without the touchpad which is slightly annoying as it made using the system easier to use on the move. You also get some new materials too but apart from that everything is the same. To be honest I don’t mind as the interior of the RQA as it does feel premium for a cheaper Mercedes.
Practicality
So, sitting in the back and it will be a bit of a squeeze if you are over 6 foot. Legroom and headroom though will be fine if you are under that, but the seats have been mounted a lot lower than the GLA, so you almost have to squat in the back row because the floor is so close to the seat. The reason behind this is because the batteries eat into the floor room, so the overall floor has been raised. you can sit 3 in, but it will be tight. There is a little hump in the middle but not as big as some cars. You do get some air vents and an armrest. Let’s have a look at the boot.
Boot Size
So, opening the boot to the Mercedes EQA Facelift and there is no surprise that the boot space is the same as the pre facelift at 340 litres with the seats up and with the seats down it is 1,320 litres. Sadly, there isn’t a front boot which will mean you will have to store the charging cables in the back taking up important space.
Summary
So, in summary then what do I think of the new Mercedes EQA Facelift. well, the overall design didn’t need to be changed but I would of liked some bigger changes up front. The battery and motor options are also good, but the practicality doesn’t help the car sadly. If you want a small premium SUV then you have the Audi Q4 E-Tron or even the Volvo EX40.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 4/5
Practicality 2/5
Total 12/15
Model | Mercedes EQA 250+ AMG Line Executive |
Engine | 70.5kWh Battery Pack, Single Motor, 187bhp, 0-62 = 8.6 Seconds 344 Mile Range, Front Wheel Drive |
Transmission | Single Speed Automatic |
Price | £52,010 |
On Sale | Now |
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