2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA

Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 Review

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched Stuttgarts's most compact fully electric vehicle in March 2021. It is based on the existing second-generation GLA, and apart from the switch in powertrain, there's quite a lot that sets it apart from its ICE counterpart. The EQA is only available in a single form in Malaysia, called the EQA 250.

Evidently, the EQA is positioned both in terms of its price, features, and looks to be the fully electric alternative to the regular GLA as they're both essentially the same vehicle. Both share the MFA2 platform, albeit with certain structural adaptations, which were designed from the start to be powertrain-agnostic and allow support for floor-mounted batteries.

Down the line, Mercedes-Benz says that a long-range variant will be offered, which we suspect will merely unlock the existing battery's full capacity. Sneaky. Future additions to the range will also include a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant high-performance from AMG.

Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 Specifications

The EQA 250 is powered by a front-mounted single electric motor that outputs 190PS and 375Nm, that's good for an 8.9-second sprint to 100km/h, which is about level with GLA 250's performance figures (8.7s to 100km/h).

It derives power from a 66.5kWh lithium-ion battery that Mercedes-Benz claims can deliver a maximum range of 429km (WLTP). It supports fast DC charging up to 100kW which can take its depleted reserves from near zero to 80 per cent in around 32 minutes.

However, when plugged into a more conventional 11kW AC charger, a full charge should be completed in about 6 hours. Though the EQA 250 is covered by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's conventional 4-year warranty, an extended 8-year/160,000km warranty is given to the battery.

It is available in five different colours, including Digital White, Denim Blue, Mountain Grey, Rose Gold, Cosmos Black, and Iridium Silver.

Exterior of the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250

Like all other of the automaker's EQ range, it gains a body that's made a little sleeker through the air. The most apparent of this is the front grille (or lack thereof) where a gloss black panel has filled in the usual slats and now houses a horizontal light bar to join along the reformed headlight cluster and its DRL strip.

Elsewhere, the EQA features a closed cooling system, a nearly enclosed undercarriage, and subtle aero deflectors to result in a drag coefficient of 0.28.

This linking light strip motif is also repeated at the rear, though the tail lamp housings themselves seem to be more faithful to the GLAs. Apart from this, there are other small aesthetic touches to set the EQA apart such as the unique 19-inch and body colour options.

Interior of the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250

Inside, the cabin experience isn't far removed from the GLA's or even an A-Class. The dashboard, general ergonomics, and switchgear have been retained though there are EQ-specific graphics and readouts on the MBUX interface that powers the infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster.

Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 Safety Features

The EQA feature all the usual Mercedes active safety functions, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive high beam assist and reverse camera. The Driving Assistance Package also adds adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, active speed limit assist, evasive steering assist, and Pre-Safe Plus.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA250 Pros and Cons

With these prices, oddly enough the closest EV competitor of comparative size and spec in the Malaysian market to the EQA would be from Hyundai of all brands, specifically their recently launched IONIQ 5 that's priced between RM199,888 and RM229,888 in its single-motor 2WD forms. Some might say that the Hyundais offer better value and/or range for similar/less money.

Neither BMW nor Audi have rolled out EVs in Malaysia quite as compact as the EQA just yet, so it might be the case that Mercedes-Benz will have this particular corner of the market all to itself for a little while to come. There is the MINI Electric but that's a 3-door hatch.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 Price in Malaysia

The EQA 250 is now available for RM278,201. 

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 Key Features

-Max Power: 190hp

-Max Torque: 375Nm

-0 to 100 km/h: 8.9 seconds

-Top Speed: 160 km/h

-The EQA 250 has this feature called Acoustic Ambient Protection, which generates artificial noise to alert cyclists and pedestrians.

-The EQA 250 is RM7k more than the GLA 250