We are awash with electric cars on the market at the moment and, as with most things in life, they are getting better and better. One thing that annoys me is designers needing to create some sci-fi-looking thing on the basis that it’s electric, therefore it needs to look like Mr Spock was the last owner in the log book.
NO, you don’t.
So many billions have been poured into superb car design over the decades that surely the best, and most economical, idea is just to pop an electric motor into the current range and crack on.
I am delighted to say that this is what Mercedes has done with the EQA - it’s a good-looking and well-designed Mercedes GLA that’s electric. Job done.
I like this car as it drives like a normal fossil fuel version but with no dirty engine or moving engine parts. If you are used to a Mercedes, this EQA will be simple to get used to. Most EVs are very rapid off the line but for no reason whatsoever other than a trip to court for speeding. The EQA is quick but not silly quick, at 0-62 in 8.6 seconds is plenty of speed for most of us and, most importantly, this allows for the range to be very good indeed. If you want silly quick then there is the EQA 300 or 350 – but then you’ll lose range.
The front-wheel drive 250+ can manage 345 miles, beating two of its competitors - the Genesis GV60 (321) and the Volvo EX40 (332). I also found charging really easy as (a) the network is now accepting a bank card tap rather than having to download 5,000 different apps and (b) the EQA charges fast (on a fast charger) and is simple and straightforward.
The handling is good and the ride is typically Mercedes - firm but not too firm and it is rock solid on the road. I still wonder about those pesky Germans. Why can virtually no other country produce cars to the build quality of the Germans? I remember back in the day, l was addicted to American cars as their roar and pure stance on the road made me tingle. Then a friend asked me if he could leave his car in my garage whilst he was abroad.
It was a Mercedes SL500 and it was a total revelation. I didn’t realise all cars didn’t rattle, bounce over bumps, leak when it rained and only started eight out of ten times. The Mercedes was a total eye-opener, so well built, solid as a rock, no leaks, smooth over the rubbish British roads – and it started every single time. l have owned nothing but German cars since that day.
Even today, l am surprised at how solid Mercedes cars are, there is never a rattle, the shock absorbers take everything thrown at them leaving the passengers undisturbed, and the resale value is better than most other vehicles on the road.
Inside, the driving position is excellent with a wide range of adjustments to get you snug, and the seats are comfortable with generally good visibility, aided by parking sensors and reversing camera. The 10-inch infotainment screen is simple to use and this combines nicely with the driver’s screen, giving the impression of one large screen.
The driver can control the central screen using a touchpad on the left of the steering wheel. The door pockets are each big enough for a 500ml bottle of water, and there are two suitably deep cupholders in the centre console. There is a decent glovebox, a handy cubby at the base of the dashboard and some storage under the centre armrest complete the list of stowage spaces. There’s no compromise on leg room so six-footers will be able to get in the back and stretch out in reasonable comfort.
The entry-level Sport Executive trim gives you 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, faux-leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen, and front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera. The AMG Line variant offers some more extras but it also comes with 20-inch wheels; l would advise against these as they change the ride from firm to way too firm for my liking.
A decent roster of safety equipment is fitted as standard, including automatic emergency braking, a driver drowsiness monitor, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert. There’s also an optional Driving Assistance package that adds adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert.
The EQA has a maximum charging speed of 100kW, a rate that delivers a 10-80% charge for all versions in around 35 minutes with a suitably powerful public charger.
A moan - yes of course. I don’t need to be pinged every time l exceed the speed limit by one mile an hour. You can turn it off but annoyingly, when you turn the engine off it reverts back. It is quite irritating but you can get used to turning it off if it really annoys you.
Overall, this is a very good car and the three-year, unlimited warranty beats most in class.
Tech Stuff
Model tested: EQA 250+ Sport Executive
Power: 190 bhp
Speed: 0-62mph 8.6 seconds
Top: 99 mph
Range: 345 miles
Price from: £45,510
