Battery size: 70kWh
Miles per kWh: 3.73
E-Rating™: B
Max charge rate: 100 kW
Range: 261 miles
Performance
The EQA shares two of its powertrains with the larger, seven-seat EQB crossover, but adds a slower, entry-level car for those who don’t see performance as their utmost priority. So there’s an EQA 250, with two-wheel drive and a 187bhp peak for 0-62mph in 8.9sec. Above that, you’ve two versions with twin motors for 4Matic four-wheel drive. The EQA 300 produces 225bhp while the EQB 350 peaks at 288bhp, though they share an identical 273lb ft torque figure.
It operates just like any other small Benz, with Reverse or Drive selected from a stalk on the right hand side of the steering wheel and an electric parking brake placed slightly awkwardly down by your knee. The main difference, besides the lump of instant torque from a standstill, is the fact you’ve three levels of brake regen to choose from via paddles on the steering wheel.
Drive
On a country road the EQA feels quite sporty too, especially since the battery lowers the centre of gravity to make cornering just a little more fun. It follows its EQC big brother in being remarkably refined too, although it can’t quite match its eerie silence with a little more wind and tyre noise. All told, it’s car whose comfort outstrips its engagement – it feels designed to be a tiny little pod of premium-trimmed peace rather than a whooshily silent hot hatchback, whatever its performance figures suggest. Mercedes’ go-faster AMG division has fettled other EQ products, though, and given the popularity of AMG-badged GLA crossovers, we wouldn’t rule out a bit of AMG treatment here in the future too. Especially if Audi and BMW start to offer something similar too.
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