2021 Mercedes EQA: specs, price and release date

This is the new Mercedes EQA, the latest electric car to join the German manufacturer's EQ-badged range of electric vehicles. Essentially an electric version of the Mercedes GLA SUV, the EQA is built on Mercedes’ MFA2 platform, which is also set to underpin the forthcoming EQB electric SUV. 

The EQA went on sale in the UK in early February 2021, initially offering a choice of Sport (£40,495 after government grant) and AMG Line (£41,995 after government grant) trim levels. Sport gets cruise control, a reversing camera, LED headlights, heated front seats, climate control, 18-inch alloys, while AMG Line trim adds sporty styling touches, 20-inch alloys, sports seats, galvanised shift paddles, aluminium trim and aluminium pedals.

A Premium package can be added to AMG Line cars for £3,000, bringing 19-inch AMG five-twin-spoke alloys, a panoramic glass sunroof, augmented reality navigation system, an advanced sound system and wireless phone. There's also a £6,000 Premium Plus package, with 20-inch AMG wheels, a 360-degree parking camera, a Burmester surround-sound stereo, a head-up display and gesture control for the infotainment.

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Mercedes EQA range, battery, charging and performance

Power comes from a 188bhp electric motor drawing on a 66.5kWh battery. Driving range is quoted at 263 miles, which puts the EQA on a par with the Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 (260 miles) and ahead of the Lexus UX 300e (196 miles). Other small electric SUV rivals include the Peugeot e-2008 and DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE.

Mercedes says the car will launch with these figures as the EQA 250, with confirmation that other power and range combinations will be offered in future, including the addition of four-wheel drive. A choice between standard coil springs and optional adaptive suspension will also be offered.

Charging is supported at up to 11kW AC, or 100kW DC; the former equates to a 10 to 100% charge time of five hours and 45 minutes from a wallbox, the latter to just half an hour for a 10 to 80% charge from a public rapid charger. 

The EQA looks broadly similar to the GLA, but with a number of styling updates and aerodynamic tweaks, including aero-efficient wheels and bumpers. The biggest changes come to the front and rear LED lights; they echo those of the larger EQC, with fibre-optic strips on the nose and a full-width rear light. The EQ family similarities continue inside, where rose-gold accents and back-lit trim pieces help set the EQA apart from the GLA with which it shares most of its design. Practical touches include 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats and a 340-litre boot capacity.

The EQA arrives as Mercedes prepares to launch multiple pure-electric vehicles over the next few years: the EQC was the first to go on sale, with the EQB SUV and EQS saloon/SUV pair also in the pipeline. The Mercedes EQV people carrier has already arrived, while an EQE saloon and EQE SUV have also been confirmed.