[TusharK]

Mercedes-Benz is all set to launch its smallest pure-electric offering, the EQA, in India on July 8, 2024.



The Mercedes-Benz EQA is positioned below the EQB as an entry-level premium electric SUV. It is essentially a pure-electric version of the GLA crossover.



The EQA features a distinct exterior with a blanked-out front grille, LED headlamps and a continuous LED light bar that stretches across the front fascia. At the rear, the dual LED taillights are also connected by an LED light bar. The EQA also gets unique alloy wheels and tweaked bumpers.



GLA owners will find the interior of the EQA all too familiar. It features dual 10.25-inch displays, turbine-style air-conditioning vents and a 3-spoke steering wheel.

In the international market, the EQA is available in four variants starting with the EQA 250 and EQA 250+ with 188 BHP and 385 Nm, EQA 300 4Matic with 225 BHP and 390 Nm and EQA 350 which has 288 BHP and 520 Nm. All variants come with a 66.5 kWh battery that is said to offer up to 560 km of range (WLTP cycle).

Link to Team-BHP News

Mod Note: Our Mercedes EQA 250+ Review has been taken live at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!

[omranga98]

The entire EQ line up is so ugly. They really messed up on these ones.

[volkman10]

Mercedes Benz EQA 250+ revealed ahead of its launch on July 8.



Link:

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by omranga98

The entire EQ line up is so ugly. They really messed up on these ones.

Tell me about it. Could not agree more. I attended an EQ Mercedes event the other day. Underwhelmed!

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-d...ml#post5794064 (My Car Hobby: Jaguar XJR, Mercedes W123, Alfa Romeo Spider, Jeep Cherokee & Mini One)

Jeroen

[speedmiester]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Mercedes Benz EQA 250+ revealed ahead of its launch on July 8.

As per some insider info, this will come with the 70KWH battery offering a WLTP range of around 550Kms and will be priced at 69L ex showroom.
There will be no 4matic versions for India. In Karnataka, this will touch 80L on road. Not worth for what it offers.

Kia EV6 and Ioniq 5 better value and come with 800V architecture which makes them future proof.

[Shresth_EV]

Originally Posted by speedmiester

priced at 69L ex showroom. In Karnataka, this will touch 80L on road. Not worth for what it offers.

Kia EV6 and Ioniq 5 better value and come with 800V architecture which makes them future proof.

When I see such disparity, it only proves that news like German brands backtracking EV targets is their own making. https://electrek.co/2024/02/22/merce...as-cars-2030s/

People are ready to buy EVs if they offer good value propositions. Luxury brands no longer have the USP of engine and performance. It has been democratised with EVs.

Only loyalists of any of the luxury brands can justify these specs on a 70-80L car, it is not a surprise that buyers are rejecting overpriced underperforming cars.

[84.monsoon]

The minimum range we need in India is 700+ km claimed, which can translate to about 500 - 550 km actual. It is a crime for Mercedes and BMW to not offer at least 80KWHr+ batteries on their EVs uch as the EQA and iX1 which are costing close to 70 lakhs!

Even Mahindra will offer an 80 KWHr+ battery in the upcoming XUV.e9 expected to be sold for 30 lakhs. I am waiting for the day when an 100-110 KWHr battery such as the one in the iX and Audi eTron range will be available in India at a reasonable price point among entry to mid level luxury EVs such as these. We need EVs with long real world range of over 500-550 km, to be able to use them as the single car or primary car in the garage - due to the poor charging infrastructure we have hete and the need to use the cars for both in-city and out of town trips.

[volkman10]

The Mercedes-Benz EQA finally hits Indian shores. It’s the company’s 5th EV in India and is based on the same platform as the GLA.

Media drive begins. Review out on July 8!

One fully loaded variant. Loaded with tech, safety, and a long range battery. FWD model, 560 km range, MBUX, Burmester Sound, and 7 airbags to name a few.

Link:

[amol4184]

Saddest looking 70L car in India.

That whole pimpled grille and connected headlamps facia of MB EVs needs to die. It doesn't look good on any of their EVs.

[Carspook]

From initial data available the BYD Atto 3 feels more value for money.

[newenergy]

Originally Posted by Carspook

From initial data available the BYD Atto 3 feels more value for money.

Exactly one of the reasons Germans are failing in China . The value these Chinese brands are offering is just mind blowing. They have come a long way and they rival Germans in terms of quality, fit and finish. EU now trying to save their automakers by adding tax but if they don't innovate and bring value then their time is up.

Also agree that the new EQ series design is a bit let down. They also need to work on MBUX which feels quite dated now compared to Tesla and Rivian.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by speedmiester

Kia EV6 and Ioniq 5 better value and come with 800V architecture which makes them future proof.

Very true. I hadn’t followed EVs actively until I recently drove the Q6 e-tron but in preparing for that review I did study and even drove some of the big German EVs (EQE SUV specifically) and checked out Q8.

Seeing the offerings, it was so evident what incredible value these two Koreans in particular offer as well as the benefits of the 800V architecture. The Q6 was impressive because at least amongst the Germans it stands head and shoulders above technically from the other offerings with its BEV 800V architecture and long range. It will of course come with German pricing of above 80L where the two Koreans are significantly cheaper.

Originally Posted by 84.monsoon

The minimum range we need in India is 700+ km claimed, which can translate to about 500 - 550 km actual. It is a crime for Mercedes and BMW to not offer at least 80KWHr+ batteries on their EVs uch as the EQA and iX1 which are costing close to 70 lakhs!

Even Mahindra will offer an 80 KWHr+ battery in the upcoming XUV.e9 expected to be sold for 30 lakhs. I am waiting for the day when an 100-110 KWHr battery such as the one in the iX and Audi eTron range will be available in India at a reasonable price point among entry to mid level luxury EVs such as these.

Fully agree. To your point, even amongst the e-trons its the new Q6 which is closest to the metrics you mentioned (100kW battery and 625 kms range; 641 for RWD long range). But it remains to be seen what price they can land it at. 700 is still some distance away though even for them. I think it’s a matter of a few more years and with next iterations of the electric architecture we may well get there.

[solaris007]

I actually am loving the look - unique enough for people to discern that it is not an ICE car but at the same time not a shout in your face EV.

However, I am surprised no one has talked about the performance. According to online sources the 0-100 is ~8.4s

I cannot remember the last time the EV version of a model was slower than the equivalent ICE model (220d 0-100 is ~7.4s). FWD only just makes the value proposition worse.

This is bizarre especially when you compare it to other entry level luxury SUVs like the FWD only BMW X1. Folks had a ball mocking the paltry 8.9s 0-100 time but the EV version - iX1 fixed those issues by having AWD and a blazing 5.6s 0-100 time.

• Want a performant entry-level luxury EV? BMW iX1, Volvo 40 Twins, Electric Mini Cooper Countryman
• Want a performant entry-level luxury ICE or the MB badge? MB GLA 220d (or the GLA 35 AMG if/when they release it)
• Want a non-badge+value for money+performant EV? Better choices in the market.

So what exactly is the value proposition of this EQA 250+? Looks decent, slow, relatively low battery capacity with better alternatives with and without badge value - perfect recipe for a DOA product.

[TorqueIndia]

Looks like this is aimed at affordability and range, EQB starts at 75L so this will be priced at a lower price tag.

I was roaming around the merc showroom in UAE last month, and was surprised to see a handful of EQAs around it. Looks like BYD Atto3 rear design is inspired from the EQA, they look a lot alike. The comparison ends there.

The range quoted here is WLTP and not ARAI, being a FWD single base spec motor feels like it could deliver good real world figures from the 70KWH pack.

[padmrajravi]

Originally Posted by speedmiester

Kia EV6 and Ioniq 5 better value and come with 800V architecture which makes them future proof.

I don't see any point in that comparison. A Hyundai will always offer more value than Mercedes. It will be true across all their offerings. Creta 1.5 DCT offers a 160 BHP engine and every feature under the sun tops out at 25L on road. GLA with the same power figures is at 65L on the road. I don't think Mercedes is targeting the the Atto 3 or the Ioniq customers.