Mercedes-Benz reveals 2022 EQA compact SUV

Initially offered with a 66.5kWh battery and 140kW (187hp) / 375Nm (275 ft-lb) front-engined motor
Confirmed for release in Europe and Australia, but North American release uncertain
Performance-oriented version likely in the model’s future

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the second “EQ” battery electric vehicle to join the range. Essentially an EV variant of the automaker’s recently released GLA SUV, the EQA 250 joins the larger EQC in 2021, and Mercedes-Benz expects to release further electric derivatives of popular models over the coming 2-3 years; namely the EQE and larger EQS sedans, and an EQB based on the GLB SUV.

Despite a 7.5 per cent downturn in global sales for 2020, most likely due to COVID-19, Mercedes-Benz reported 2,164,187 units for the year. Depending on how you look at it, the company is either a product planner’s dream or nightmare, with Mercedes-Benz occupying almost every market segment imaginable. With eight SUVs already available — GLA, GLB, GLC, GLC Coupe, GLE, GLE Coupe, GLS and EQC — one could be mistaken for thinking the company has more than enough variants available to cater to market needs.

Mercedes-Benz thinks differently, and the EQA will launch in Germany in 2021 at a price of €47,540 — USD$57,700/AUD$74,000 — competing directly with the likes of Volvo’s XC40 Recharge, BMW’s iX3, Volkswagen’s ID.4 as well as the Tesla Model 3 and model Y. It’s likely to make it to Australia too, but we think that given the size and performance of the vehicle, for the US dollar equivalent of €47,540 Mercedes-Benz North America won’t see a compelling case for bringing the EQA to North America.

Exterior Design

No one will accuse Mercedes-Benz designers of being too avant-garde with their designs. The EQA is a pleasingly soft interpretation of a mix of EQC and GLA design cues. While other fully electric vehicles eschew traditional design cues such as grilles and intakes and long front ends, the EQA still looks like a combustion-engined vehicle. It’s almost as if it doesn’t want to be the odd one out amongst its peers.

Call us strange, but if a design element serves zero function and provides no net benefit, wouldn’t it be better to remove it? Nevertheless, the EQA is sure to attract present Mercedes-Benz customers who are comfortable with the corporate design language. Mercedes-Benz claims the vehicle’s “electro-aesthetics” of the design are indicative of the Progressive Luxury within; what this actually translates to is blue “EQ” lettering, a high-gloss black front grille, multi-spoke aerodynamic wheels and an LED rear light bar strip.

With a wheelbase of 2.729cm, it is slightly shorter than VW’s ID.4 at 2.766cm, and considerably shorter (17cm) than the Tesla Model Y’s 2.891cm wheelbase. Overall length of the EQA is 4.463cm, and the width is 1.834cm. This compares to the GLA’s dimensions of 2.699cm (-3cm) for the wheelbase, 4.445cm (-1.8cm) for the length and 1.804cm (-3cm) for the width.

The EQA brings Mercedes’ signature “EQ” styling to the compact SUV class

Interior Design

On the inside, you’re greeted with the now familiar twin 7-inch displays (European base specification) or twin 10.25-inch displays that Australian and North American Benz owners would recognise. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience(MBUX) system has a number of different display presets available, and a degree of configurability. The dashboard and doorcard design is very similar to that of the GLA, with turbine-style air vents, a recessed dash inlay area, and conventional shapes and materials. Rose gold metallic-look detailing around buttons and air vents, a-la Mercedes-EQC is a must-have option for those looking to add a touch of the current fashion zeitgeist; think Apple’s rose gold iPhone, or the last Michael Kors watch you saw on someone’s arm and you get the picture.

Blue has become the de rigeur colour to signify an electrified variant; think about it. From Nissan’s Leaf, to the range of BMW’s “I” vehicles, blue is a colour used to represent electricity, possibly due to the fact that is how the human eye “sees” it. It’s no surprise then that Mercedes splashes blue all over the interior, from the dash, to the seating, trim and ambient lighting.

The Interior of the EQA will be familiar to those who drive an A-Class or GLA

Battery and Drivetrain

The performance of the EQA will be adequate if not scintillating; with a 66.5 kWh (net) double decker lithium ion battery comprised of 200 cells, Mercedes-Benz claims the 140kW (187hp) / 375Nm (275 ft-lb) motor will reach 100km/h in 8.9 seconds, and hit a top of 160kmh (99mph). Mercedes-Benz claims a WLTP combined range of 426km (265mi) and due to the battery mass, the EQA is a bit of a porker, at 2,040kg (almost 4,500lbs). Mercedes states the EQA launch variant will hold an energy efficiency of 15.7 kWh/100km.

Mercedes announced last year that they would be teaming up with CATL for future battery projects, but it is not known at this stage whether the EQA is a result of this collaboration, or whether its energy platform comes from the wholly owned subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive based in Kamenz, Germany.

The EQA utilises permanent magnet technology, whereby the AC motor incorporates magnets. The magnets – and thus the rotor – follow the rotating alternating current field in the winding of the stator. The engine is described as synchronous, because the rotor turns at the same rate as the magnetic field of the stator.

The EQA also features an intelligent recuperation system, which continuously generates coasting simulations in the background during motion. Depending on the state of charge of the battery and the traffic situation, the car computes whether the vehicle should ideally be allowed to coast with the lowest possible driving resistance with the driver's foot off the pedals, or whether it should be decelerated so that the battery can be charged.

Eco Assist functions also take into account route profiles, speed limits and traffic flow to assist with the vehicle’s efficiency strategy. According to Mercedes-Benz, the driver can select the recuperation function manually from a choice of five different modes using the two paddles behind the steering wheel. The paddle on the left increases the level of recuperation, the paddle on the right reduces it.

Mercedes-Benz utilises a double decker battery design for the EQA

Autonomy and Vehicle Technology

Mercedes-Benz has long been a leader in advanced vehicle safety systems, and features that were once only available on an S-Class are now widely seen across the range. On top of the now expected active safety systems, the EQA features Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with the braking for stationary vehicles in front, and extended, automatic moving off in a traffic jam. The Active Speed Limit Assist with Evasive Safety Assist reacts to changing speed limits in conjunction with Traffic Sign Assist, carries out route-based speed adjustment ahead of bends, roundabouts, toll booths etc and when approaching a traffic jam.

The Navigation with Electric Intelligence system takes into account the electric range, the current electrical consumption, the topography of the proposed route (due to the energy requirements) and the temperatures along the way (due to the duration of the charge). It also looks at the traffic situation along the planned route, as well as the available charging stations to be found there and their capacity. Mercedes states that the customer does not necessarily always have to take on board a full charge, but will be given a specific recommendation as to the required charging time at the charging station. The charging station stops will be planned in the way that is most favourable for the overall travelling time. In other words, for those familiar with Tesla’s route planning, the car will advise shorter, more frequent stops rather than one long charging stop if it results in a faster overall trip. This is similar to the software from A Better Route Planner.

The EQA features a heat pump, that utilises waste-heat from the drivetrain and uses it to warm the cabin. The driver can also pre set the desired temperature of the cabin before commencing a journey.

The EQA 250 with a 66.5 kWh battery and 140kW motor will be the first to launch in Europe mid-2021, and in Australia/New Zealand by the end of 2021. It’s likely that more performance-oriented versions will appear from 2022.

Full suite of press images below. Courtesy Mercedes-Benz AG