The EQA, Mercedes’ petite electric crossover, has recently undergone a gentle touch-up. 

Originally debuting in 2021, the EQA was a pioneer in a then sparsely populated field. Fast forward to today, and it finds itself amidst a veritable stampede of rivals like the BMW iX1 and Audi Q4 e-tron, all jostling for supremacy in the luxury electric crossover arena.

Now that the field is bunched up, one must innovate to stand out from the pack. Has the EQA done enough though?

Design-wise, the EQA mirrors the GLA but its appearance might make you think of an android doppelgänger; eerily familiar yet distinctively different.

It’s the sort of vehicle that doesn’t crack jokes or raise eyebrows; instead, it goes about its business with a stoic efficiency that’s almost Apple-esque in its design philosophy.

With the latest facelift, the EQA adopts a grille that now sports the brand’s iconic star pattern, aligning it aesthetically with its bigger EQ siblings.

The designers have tweaked the front bumper to slice through the air with greater ease, and it sports a new LED light bar that arcs across the grille.

Round the back, the tail lights don an intricate 3D design, maintaining the original model’s LED light bar, which adds a touch of sophistication to its posterior aesthetics.

Sitting on 18-inch wheels, the EQA maintains an understated and classy look. Enough to fly under the radar, but also enough to garner a second glance.

The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz EQA, though snug, compensates with its top-tier finish. The ambience is further enhanced by plush materials that assure you that this is indeed a bona fide member of the Mercedes family, albeit a younger sibling.

Every switch and surface shouts quality, aligning with what one expects from the storied brand. But it’s not all just show; the EQA is practical with its technology too with its twin 10.25-inch displays.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and you get a decent amount of settings to play around with. The displays also offers a treasure trove of data on how to manage your electric charge.

It’s not all roses though, especially in the back. The roominess of the petrol GLA didn’t quite translate to its electric counterpart.

The battery pack has nudged the floor upwards, making the rear less comfortable, with a flat seat base and elevated floor that leave something to be desired in terms of legroom and foot space.

Cargo space? Adequate but not generous at 340 litres, with a small nook for your charging cables. The lack of a frunk might leave you wishing for a bit more storage.

From the get-go, the EQA wraps you in an almost ethereal silence. The only hint of its movement is a pedestrian-warning hum, which itself fades into the background as you pick up speed, melding seamlessly into the soft symphony played by the tyres and subdued thuds of the suspension.

Performance, while not heart-racing, is certainly competent, especially in the bursts from standstill to city speeds. Though it might not chase the horizon with ferocity, reaching the century mark from a standstill in a respectable 8.6 seconds, the EQA shows a spirited side within city limits.

Push it past double digits, however, and it seems to retreat, content to hover below its modest top speed of 160km/h.

Jolts from the road at lower speeds are noticeable, but not uncomfortable. The vehicle’s dynamics on twistier roads have more discipline, with stiff anti-roll bars keeping it true to its path, albeit with a bit of side-to-side swagger.

Steering in the EQA might leave enthusiasts yearning for more feedback, but its predictable nature makes it a reliable companion on longer highway jaunts. Braking is another feather in the EQA’s cap, with a system that transitions smoothly between regenerative and mechanical braking. 

Intriguingly, Mercedes allows drivers to tinker with the regeneration settings via paddle shifters. The ‘Dynamic’ regen setting adds a smart touch, adjusting itself based on the traffic flow and speed regulations, though it requires a bit of acclimatisation to appreciate its intermittent interventions.

All said, the EQA may not set your pulse racing, but it doesn’t aim to. Instead, it offers a ride where luxury and silence coalesce into a serene, albeit slightly sanitised, driving experience.

Yes, it doesn’t have the swanky Hyperscreen like its bigger siblings, or expansive amounts of tech, but that’s one of the reasons why I prefer the EQA to its Mercedes brethren. It has enough tech to satisfy you, without going overboard while tripping on itself in the process.

Couple that with a relatively premium cabin, competitive range and charging speeds, and the Mercedes-Benz EQA fits the bill for those looking to begin their transition to electric mobility. 

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+

Engine: Single Asynchronous Motor, Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 140kw (188bhp)
Torque: 385Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 8.6 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 160km/h
Battery Capacity: 70.5 kWh
Drive Range: 569 km
Energy Consumption: 5.4 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$289,888 (Progressive), S$298,888 (Electric Art), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

Mercedes-Benz has launched the new EQA and EQB ahead of the Car Expo 2024.

The EQA and EQB will be even more appealing to newcomers and those switching to electric vehicles. Fresh looks, a class-leading range of up to 569km on a single charge, and an updated MBUX with improved voice control and updated driving assistance systems are some of the new things to look out for.

Also, available as an option are the Sound Experiences, innovations from its larger model siblings. At market launch, consumers can look forward to the EQA 250+ (Electric Art and Progressvie), and the EQB 250+ (Electric Art and Progressvie).

“The Mercedes-Benz EQA and EQB have been some of the brand’s most well-received models, with many of our customers’ first experiences with the world of Mercedes-Benz through one of these all-electric models. As such, the new EQA and EQB could not have been better timed,” said Claudius Steinhoff, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Singapore.

“Refreshed with the latest in electric intelligence, the EQA and EQB now come with the most up-to-date connectivity, entertainment, and active safety features, including Dolby Atmos integration with the optional Burmester surround sound system. The new EQA and EQB outperform their compact size, even topping its class with an effective range of up to 569km, and we look forward to having our customers experience these vehicles for themselves.”

With the newly designed black panel surface with a star pattern at the front, the EQA and EQB visually catch up with their larger model siblings in the all-electric Mercedes-Benz family. Black stars come as standard, while for the Electric Art variant, the stars are in chrome.

A light band connects the daytime running lights while the new bumper emphasises the broad effect of the vehicle front. Trim elements in high-gloss black are integrated into the side protrusions, and the fog lamp is recessed.

The designers have also changed the insides of the taillights. Four new alloy wheels in 18-, 19- and 20-inch format and two new paint finishes, spectral blue and high-tech silver, complete the model range.

The engineers at Mercedes-Benz have been able to increase the ranges of the EQA to up to 569 kilometres (WLTP). The measurements include aerodynamic optimisation such as a new leading edge for the rear wheel arch, a ridge that functions as a spoiler, as well as rolling resistance-optimised tyres that contribute to improved efficiency.

New features in the interior include the current-generation steering wheel with touch control panels as well as the trim in brown lime open-pore wood, Mercedes-Benz pattern and backlit Mercedes-Benz pattern. In the latter trim, the star pattern is lasered into the plastic and is adaptively backlit.

The standard equipment has been expanded, with all EQAs and EQBs now coming with a 10.25-inch central touchscreen and USB package.

Different sound worlds that allow individual acoustic setups, which are familiar from the larger electric models from Mercedes-Benz, are now available in the EQA and EQB in conjunction with the optional Burmester surround sound system.

“Silver Waves” is a sensual and clean sound, while “Vivid Flux” is aimed at EV enthusiasts and is crystalline, synthetic and yet humanly warm. Both Sound Experiences can be selected in the central display or be switched off.

Two further sound worlds will be added shortly and can be unlocked online as part of the Individualisation Package if the optional Burmester Surround Sound System is on board: “Roaring Pulse” is reminiscent of powerful machines and is sonorous and extroverted, while “Serene Breeze” offers a relaxed and natural sound.

Both the EQA and EQB feature an updated generation of MBUX. The redesign of the infotainment system was focused on a new design and improved performance. This includes the zero-layer interface, whereby the user does not have to scroll through submenus or give voice commands.

In combination with the 10 colour worlds of the ambient lighting, there are numerous individualisation options. All previous functions such as media, phone, vehicle, etc. are still available and can be conveniently operated via the touchscreen, or the touch control buttons on the steering wheel.

Situationally and contextually, applications are offered on the top layer in the field of view. Smartphones can now connect wirelessly to the vehicle via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The display of the charging features in MBUX has also improved; for example, the charging flap can be unlocked on the central display via a softkey in the charging menu. Furthermore, the currently available DC charging power is displayed and during the charging process, the recharged range is indicated in kilometres.

By activating online services in the Mercedes me app, the intelligent voice assistant becomes even more capable of dialogue and learning. The system gets to know the driver and remembers familiar settings or usual driving routes. It then suggests personalised infotainment, comfort, and vehicle functions to suit the respective driving situation.

However, if the suggestion is unnecessary, the driver can reject it with the function “Do not suggest now” or deactivate it permanently with “Do not suggest again” and the vehicle will remember these requests. Certain actions can also be triggered without saying “Hey Mercedes”, and the voice assistant can also explain vehicle functions.

The optional Burmester surround sound system now features the immersive Dolby Atmos audio experience in conjunction with the current MBUX generation. This feature gives music more space, clarity, and depth.

In addition, Dolby Atmos adapts to the playback environment, so listeners can hear music almost as clearly as it corresponds to the original vision of the artists in the studio.

EQA features 340 litres of boot space that can be expanded to 1,320 litres, while EQB holds 465 litres with the seatbacks up and 1,620 litres with them dropped.

Thanks to more powerful environment sensors, the parking systems can better support the driver when manoeuvring. Integrated into MBUX, they can be operated more intuitively and more quickly, and the Parking Package with 360-degree camera supports the driver when parking in and out of longitudinal and transverse parking spaces.

Photo Credits: Mercedes-Benz and LinkedIn

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!