Australian first drive: Mercedes-Benz EQA 250

Small SUVs are becoming a popular segment for electrification and for the first time in Australia there is a premium option, the new Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 that costs around $10,000 more than the similarly performing Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV.

This begs the question – does spending just ten grand over the Koreans actually bring a premium product or are you just paying for the three-pointed star badge?

Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 pricing and features

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From the outset, the German carmaker’s second and most affordable all-electric model in Australia, after the Wheels Car of the Year-winning EQC mid-sized SUV, represents good value.

It's closely related to the GLA crossover and comes with a $76,800 (before on-roads) price tag that's just $7000 more than the GLA 250.

Aesthetically, differences between the EQA and GLA are subtle, the EV displaying a fake black grille that's split along the middle to provide some visual interest and a fibre-optic light strip running along the top that links the daytime running lights. The rear end also features a light strip running between the taillights and there is an aero-spoiler to increase efficiency.

They're about the same size and each has a 2729mm wheelbase but the EQA 250's 340-litre boot is 95 litres smaller than the GLA due to the location of the battery pack.

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Step inside the cabin and there is very little to differentiate the EQA from its petrol sibling – even the gear shifter stalk behind the steering wheel is the same.

The rest is very familiar, including the 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and 10.25-inch centre touchscreen that controls the MBUX infotainment system, Artico upholstered powered-operated seats (in beige or black), ambient lighting, wireless phone charging pad and climate control.

Of course, there are a few extra-cost options to tempt you, such as the $2950 AMG-Line Package (pictured) that brings more athletic exterior and interior features including sports leather seats, and the Edition 1 pack that brings a host of luxury extras for an additional $7300.

What is the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 like to drive?

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It’s not until you press the start button and foot down that you know you’re in an EV. Acceleration is prompt and silent, though once you get going, the lack of engine sound means you tend to notice road and wind noise more. But even at speed the EQA has excellent NVH properties, helped by keeping the motor physically isolated from the chassis.

While acceleration is immediate, the response feels a little tamer than some EVs, with the vital figures coming in at 140kW/375Nm.

To help driveability and limit torque steer, the electronics don't allow the full 375Nm to be dumped to the front treads from, the moment you crack open the throttle.

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This softer take-off results in a relatively modest 0-100km/h time of 8.9sec, which isn't helped by the EQA’s hefty 2040kg kerb weight. That's some 300kg more than the 1.3-second quicker Kona Electric.

But on the move, the EQA still feels livelier and brisker than any comparative SUV burning fossil fuels, responding instantly to even the slightest right pedal movement and providing more than enough power and torque on tap whenever you need it.

To help driveability and limit torque steer, the electronics don't allow the full 375Nm the moment you crack open the throttle.

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It has ‘Dynamic Select’ driving modes including Eco, Comfort and Sport, with Sport providing more take-off boost while stiffening the steering and the adaptive dampers that are part of the standard equipment list.

Even so, the steering isn't as direct as I'd prefer through the winding stuff, but it's perfectly weighted for around town where I imagine most EQA 250s will reside.

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That said, the EQA's regenerative braking helps inspire confidence in the twisty stuff by allowing you to slow down before reaching bends without having to apply the brake pedal, making you feel more in control.

It has four regenerative braking settings controlled by the paddle-shifters plus a clever Auto setting that uses the active safety radar to choose the appropriate regenerative braking setting based on traffic conditions.

The ride is comfortable on the multilink suspension even when the dampers are stiffened in Dynamic mode, but that plushness doesn’t compromise roadholding.

How long does the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 take to charge?

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At its heart, the EQA 250 has a ‘double-decker’ 420-volt, 66.5kWh lithium-ion battery with 200 cells that are cooled or heated when required to maintain the perfect temperature range for optimal operation and charging.

It can be charged from both AC and faster DC chargers via the Type-2 CCS port. Charging from 10-80 per cent, which provides 380km of range, takes about 25 hours through a standard 240-volt socket, but if you install an 11kW single-phase AC charger (available from Mercedes-Benz for $1450) that time is dramatically reduced to four hours and 15 minutes.

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Use an ultra-rapid DC charger capable of charging at 100kW and the same charge will take about 30 minutes. This has the potential to be free as the EQA comes with a complimentary Chargefox subscription providing unlimited access to selected chargers for the first three years.

From a full charge, the EQA 250 has a range of up 480km and its combined electrical consumption is rated at 16.2kWh/100km.

What is the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 like for safety?

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The EQA 250 comes standard with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign assist and nine airbags.

It also has active cruise control with route-based speed adaption that works with the satellite navigation to automatically adjust the speed for various road conditions such as when entering and exiting roundabouts.

The Verdict

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The EQA 250 might be outperformed by its mid-$60K rivals but it doesn’t lack the engineering, technology, build-quality and packaging that you expect from a Mercedes-Benz product.

It also ticks the important boxes including sharp looks, equipment levels, decent driving range and eco-friendliness while offering an enjoyable but relaxing ride.

So yeah, the EQA 250 is certainly a premium product, which makes its $10K markup over the Koreans seem an absolute bargain.

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2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 specifications