Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level electric vehicle range has expanded, with a new EQA 350 flagship now in Australian showrooms.
The EQA now has a two-model range, with a choice of single-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains.
Across the showroom floor is the more spacious EQB, which shares the EQA’s platform but offers up to three rows of seating. Both are based on combustion-powered Mercedes-Benz models – the GLA and GLB, respectively – and rival the likes of the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric.
Mercedes-Benz has sold 465 EQAs to the end of July, enough to push it past even combustion-powered small SUVs like the Audi Q2 (349) and BMW X2 (313).
Pricing
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250: $78,513
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA 350: $96,900
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Drivetrains
The Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 uses a single-motor, front-wheel drive powertrain with 140kW of power and 375Nm of torque. It has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 8.9 seconds.
The EQA 350 uses a dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain with 215kW and 520Nm. Its 0-100km/h time is 6.0 seconds.
Both models feature a 66.5kWh battery.
Efficiency
The EQA 250 has a claimed range of 426km on the stricter WLTP test cycle, while the EQA 350 has 400km of range.
Mercedes-Benz claims energy consumption of 16.2kWh/100km in the EQA 250 and 17.1kWh/100km in the EQA 350.
Dimensions
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA measures 4463mm long, 1834mm wide and 1620mm tall, with a 2729mm wheelbase.
Boot space is 340L, down 95L on what’s on offer in the petrol-powered GLA200 and GLA250.
Servicing and Warranty
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA range is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Servicing is required every 12 months or 25,000km, whichever comes first, and Mercedes-Benz offers three-, four- and five-year service plans.
These are priced at $1600, $2200 and $2650, respectively.
Safety
The Mercedes-Benz EQA has a five-star rating from ANCAP based on testing conducted in 2019.
It received an adult occupant protection rating of 97 per cent, a child occupant protection rating of 92 per cent, a vulnerable road user protection rating of 81 per cent, and a safety assist rating of 77 per cent.
Atop the standard nine airbags, safety equipment includes:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane-keep assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Traffic sign monitoring
- Reversing camera
- Safe exit warning
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
Standard Equipment
The EQA 250 comes standard with the following equipment:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights
- Adaptive high-beam
- Rear privacy glass
- Adjustable dampers
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- DAB+ digital radio
- Satellite navigation
- Heated front seats
- Keyless entry and start
- Dual-zone climate control
- Wireless phone charging
- Colour-adjustable ambient lighting
- Hands-free power tailgate
Two packages are optional on the EQA 250 and standard on the EQA 350.
The optional Vision Package adds a panoramic sunroof and the Parking Package with a surround-view camera, while the AMG Line Sports package adds:
- Unique grille and front apron with air curtains
- Backlit interior trim
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Artico leatherette and Dinamic microfibre upholstery
- Front sports seats
- Stainless steel pedals
- Nappa leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel
Edition 1
The EQA 350 can also be specified with the Edition 1 package ($3900), which adds:
- 20-inch matte copper-finish alloy wheels
- Black roof rails and mirror housings
- Neva Grey leather upholstery
- Blue stitching details
- Illuminated sill panels
Standalone options include:
- Ventilated front seats
- Power front seats with memory
- Mercedes-Benz Wallbox
- Open-pore wood trim
Colours
Polar White and Night Black are the two standard colours, with the following metallic finishes a $1146 option:
- Denim Blue
- Rosé Gold (not available with Edition 1 package)
- Digital White
- Iridium Silver
- Mountain Grey
- Cosmos Black
There’s also Designo Mountain Grey Magno, which costs $2539.
