New Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ Test Drive Review – Video

The new Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ has been launched in India. It becomes the most affordable electric car from the German carmaker in the country. Note that this is the electric iteration of the ICE-powered Mercedes-Benz GLA. Even though it is a new product in our market, Mercedes has already sold over 1.30 lakh units of the EQA globally. Hence, it has been quite popular across many international markets. To make things even more interesting, the German luxury car marque is offering 3 years / unlimited mileage with periodic maintenance at Re 1 / km and a 67% Assured buyback value at the end of 4 years of ownership. For the battery pack, the standard warranty is 8 years / 1,60,000 km.

Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ – Specs and Price

The Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ starts at an introductory price of Rs 66 lakh, ex-showroom. That is an attractive price bracket considering it is a premium luxury EV. Apart from that, it gets a 70.5 kWh battery pack which powers an electric motor to propel the front wheels. This results in 190 PS and 385 Nm of peak power and torque. The claimed range on a single charge is 497 km to 560 km. Mercedes also says that the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h comes up in just 8.6 seconds. The owners can charge the EV battery using either an AC (7.4 kW and 11 kW) or 100 kW DC fast charging. With the DC fast charger, it takes 35 minutes to go from 10% to 80%. Its top speed is a handy 160 km/h.

Interior and Features

The cabin layout of the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ takes inspiration from the GLA. Also, some elements are unmistakably Mercedes like a chunky steering wheel with multimedia controls and the Tri-arrow logo at the centre and copper-plate turbine-type AC vents. There is the use of high-quality soft-touch materials in most parts of the cabin including door panels, dashboard and centre console. The rear seat is slightly smaller due to the battery pack placed under the floor. Still, it is not too uncomfortable. Occupants also get the rear armrest and 2 USB-C charging points. Also, the electrically operated bootlid can accommodate 340 litres of boot space. The other top highlights of the cabin include:

• HUD (Head-up Display)
• Paddle Shifters to Operate Regenerative Braking Levels
• Digital Driver’s Digital Cockpit Instrument Cluster
• Large Digital Infotainment Display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• 12-Speaker Premium Burmester Surround Sound System
• Gesture Controls
• High-resolution and Customizable Heads-up Display
• 64-Colour Ambient Lighting with a Backlit Dashboard
• Voice Commands
• Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof
• Keyless Entry
• ADAS
• 7 Airbags
• 360-Degree Camera
• Blind Spot Assist
• Parking Assist
• Level 1 ADAS
• Navigation System with Augmented Reality Technology
• Electric Adjustment for Front Seats including Memory Function
• Electric Pump and Tyre Puncture Repair Kit

Design and Driving Impressions

In terms of the design, the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ bears all the typical insignias and the design language of the German carmaker. At the front, one gets greeted by a full-width connected LED light bar which is flanked by LED headlamps on either side. The large Tri-star moniker sits proudly at the front with a chrome-studded sealed-off area as there is no engine to let the air in. There is a smart use of chrome in the lower part of the bumper. On the sides, there are 19-inch alloy wheels with aerodynamic characteristics. The EV also gets a chrome frame running around the windows too. In fact, the squared-off wheel arches and black side body cladding also elevate the butch stance of the EV. At the rear, it gets a typical connected LED taillamp unit which is fairly common these days. Additionally, the rear section gets patches of chrome for that premium road presence. All in all, the GLA inspiration is evident and the EV carries the DNA of Mercedes-Benz.

We were thoroughly impressed by the driving dynamics of the Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+. It is a typical Mercedes car with great handling characteristics due to the low centre of gravity because of the battery pack in the floor. Also, the suspension is on the stiffer side to achieve that perfect handling. The steering wheel is sharp and direct which induces confidence. The instant torque is available at the tap of the accelerator pedal which is a prominent trait of electric cars. There are four driving modes to suit every situation – Comfort, Performance, Dynamic and Individual. In real-world driving conditions, one can expect a range of over 400 km. Still, it depends on the driving mannerisms and environmental conditions. All in all, the new EV is definitely going to bring a smile to your face when you are behind the steering wheel.

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