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Old 8th July 2024, 10:00   #1
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Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

Mercedes EQA 250+ Review



This review has been jointly compiled with Vid6639. Thanks to him for the expert observations!
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_01.jpg

Introduction



Mercedes started introducing its electric vehicle range in India back in 2020. under the EQ sub-brand. The first product of the brand was the EQC SUV which was followed by the EQS Limousine and the EQB SUV. Mercedes discontinued the EQC in 2023 and introduced the larger EQE SUV in India.

Now, the company is entering the entry-level luxury electric SUV segment. It has brought the EQA to India to compete against the likes of the BMW iX1, Volvo C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge. The EQA will be available only in a single variant - EQA 250+. It will be powered by a single motor, which puts it at a disadvantage when compared to its rivals. However, it must be noted that the EQA has sold more than 1,30,000 units globally since its introduction in 2021. Mercedes will be hoping to replicate its success in India as well.

What we are getting in India is the 2024 facelifted version of the EQA. It features a battery capacity of 70.5 kWh. Power and torque are rated at 188 BHP and 385 Nm respectively. It has a claimed WLTP range of 560 km.

The EQA SUV isn’t going to being assembled locally. Instead, it will be directly imported.

Mercedes EQA 250+ Price & Brochure


Mercedes will announce the price of the EQA 250+ on July 8, 2024. Since its being imported as a CBU, we do not expect it to be priced as well as the Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor, which is assembled in India.

You can download the Mercedes EQA brochure here - Mercedes EQA 250+ Brochure.pdf

Running Costs



The Mercedes EQA 250+ has a 70.5 kWh battery pack which translates to ~71 units of electricity for a full charge. The per-unit cost of electricity depends on the slab that you are in & your location, but on average, it’s about Rs. 8 per unit. This translates to Rs. 568 to charge to 100%. Mercedes claims a range of 560 km (WLTP). While we were not able to do a range test, you should be able to get a realistic driving range of 400 km. Thus, you can expect an approximate running cost of Rs. 1.42 per km.

Last edited by Aditya : 8th July 2024 at 10:34.
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Old 8th July 2024, 10:00   #2
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Exterior


Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_02.jpg

Design & Styling



The EQA is based on the GLA SUV and looks fairly similar to it. Changes include reworked LED headlamps and tail-lamps, chrome plated 3D star pattern front grille with a light bar above it connecting the headlamps, redesigned front and rear bumpers, new tailgate with a light bar connecting the tail-lamps and new 19-inch alloy wheels. Other features include silver roof rails, panoramic sunroof and black body cladding.

The EQA 250+ measures 4,463 mm in length, 1,834 mm in width, and 1,624 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,729 mm.

There are seven colour choices on offer - Polar White, Cosmos Black, High-tech Silver, Mountain Grey, Spectral Blue, MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Red and a new MANUFAKTUR Mountain Grey Magno. All colours come with a glossy black roof.

Build Quality, Fit & Finish



As expected of a Mercedes, the build quality of the EQA 250+ is impressive. All the body panels feel sturdy and the doors, bonnet and tailgate have a good deal of weight. The panel gaps are consistent and the fit & finish is top-notch. The paint quality is as good as we've seen in this segment.

Wheels & Tyres



The EQA 250+ gets 19-inch 10-spoke AMG alloy wheels shod with with 235/50 section tyres. Our test car had Continental EcoContact 6 runflat tyres which provided excellent grip in the corners. The recommended tyre pressure is 40 PSI all around.

Ground Clearance



Merccedes hasn’t specified the ground clearance of the EQA 250+. However, it appears to be more than adequate for Indian conditions. Our test car had no issues tackling speed breakers and bumps on the road.

Standard & Extended Warranty



The EQA 250+ comes with a warranty of 3 years. It gets a battery warranty of 8 years / 1,60,000 km warranty.

Safety



As expected of a Mercedes, the EQA is loaded with safety features including 7 airbags, TPMS, PRE-SAFE speed limit assist, adaptive high beam assist, active lane keeping assist, active blind spot assist, forward collision warning with active brake control, 360-degree camera, acoustic presence reminder and ISOFIX child seat anchors among others.

The EQA has been given a 5-star crash-test rating by Euro NCAP.

Last edited by Aditya : 8th July 2024 at 10:05.
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Old 8th July 2024, 10:00   #3
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Interior



Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_01.jpg

Cabin Design & Quality



The EQA 250+ has an identical dashboard design to the GLA. It is all-black and the overall design looks modern and contemporary which is typical of Mercedes cars. You get a twin-screen layout with a customisable 10.25-inch instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The A/C vents have turbine blades that are finished in rose gold.

Soft-touch materials have been used at various places and the interiors are solidly put together. There aren't any rough edges anywhere in the cabin. Like most Mercedes cars, the part quality is very good.

The carpets and roofliner are black as well. Overall, the cabin quality is very good and most owners will be impressed.

Space & Comfort



Ingress & egress are easy and you can just walk into the car without difficulty. The space inside the cabin in the front seats is good and despite the black interiors, you never feel claustrophobic.

The seats are draped in black Artico leather and rose gold fabric upholstery. Like other parts, the quality of the upholstery is good. The seats offer very good support. They have side bolsters, which provide good lateral support. Both front seats get height & lumbar adjustment along with adjustable headrests. They get memory functions as well as Mercedes seat kinetics which makes minute changes to the inclination of seat cushions and backrest. What is sad is that these seats do not get ventilation, which is a big miss in a country like India.

The seatbelts are adjustable and leather has been used on the doorpads and centre console where the occupants of the front seats would rest their arms. This adds to the comfort.

Driving Position & Ergonomics



Frontal visibility is excellent. The rear visibility is compromised by the thick C-pillars and a small windshield though. You will have to use the camera while reversing.

Both front seats are electrically adjustable, get lumbar adjustment and memory function. Finding the perfect driving position is easy as the steering gets tilt & telescopic adjustment.

In the driver's seat, those who are used to Mercedes cars will be able to get acquainted with all the controls pretty quickly. The three-spoke, flat-bottom leather-wrapped sports steering is perfectly sized and nice to hold, but the horn pad is not easy to reach with your thumbs. The steering mounted buttons are touch type and the light / wiper stalk and gear lever are within easy reach. A useable dead pedal has been provided as well. We’ll say that the ergonomics are sorted in this car.

Cabin Storage



There are many storage spaces in the cabin. You get a glovebox with a soft lining and doorpads that can hold a 1L bottle along with some other items. The centre console houses two cupholders and a wireless smartphone charging pad and a USB Type-C port. Under the centre armrest is a deep storage compartment with two USB Type-C ports.

Rear passengers get seatback pockets that can hold a 1L bottle and small articles. The seatbacks of the front seats have storage nets to keep magazines. 2 Type-C USB charging ports have been provided below the rear A/C vents with a slot to keep a smartphone above and a small storage space next to them. There is a centre armrest with two retractable cupholders.

Air-Conditioning



The EQA 250+ comes with a dual-zone climate control system. The A/C did a very good job of cooling the cabin. However, it must be noted that we drove the car in rainy conditions and cannot comment on how the A/C will perform on a very hot and humid day. The system also comes with a charcoal fine particle filter.

Features


Unique & Noteworthy Features



The EQA 250+ comes loaded with features including ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, adjustable head-up display, hands-free tailgate, LED headlamps, smartphone connectivity, a wireless charger, front seats with electrical adjustments, extendable seat bases and memory function, seat kinetics, auto adaptive headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, adjustable regeneration, dual-zone climate control with fine particle filter and connected car technology.

On the other hand, a spare wheel has not been provided. Also missing are features such as the Vehicle-to-Load mobile power supply function, which the Korean manufacturers and even some Indian manufacturers provide.

Audio System & Sound Quality



Mercedes offers an 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment head-unit with the latest MBUX: NTG 7 telematics. The user interface is simple and easy to get used to and the display is crisp and clear. It's extremely smooth and seamless in operation. It gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Mercedes me connect with over the air updates, gesture control MBUX Connect features and "Hey Mercedes" powered by AI, live updates via Car2X, 3 customized displays – discreet, classic, sporty, EQ specific displays and functions, live traffic information, augmented reality navigation and Alexa and Google voice integration.

It’s paired with a 710-watt Burmester 3D surround sound system with Dolby Atmos. Music is played through 12 speakers. In terms of audio quality, it's very impressive. At any volume, the audio quality is commendable with great clarity and no vibrations or distortion.

Rear Passengers



Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_02.jpg

Rear Seat Comfort & Space



The doors open sufficiently wide and the roof is higher than a sedan or hatchback. So getting in and out of the rear is not difficult. You get 3 adjustable headrests and 3-point seatbelts for all 3 passengers. However, the floor hump is tall and wide. This along with the hard backrest in the middle (due to the centre armrest) and rear A/C vents means that an adult third passenger in the middle won’t be very comfortable. A child might be able to bear it though.

There’s a good amount of knee room and adequate headroom for rear passengers. The backrests are set at at a comfortable angle. The cushioning is spot on and the seats should be comfortable over long drives. However, like in most EVs the floor is high. This results in a knees-up seating position and many will complain about a lack of under-thigh support. Rear passengers get a centre armrest with two retractable cupholders, seatback nets, A/C vents, two Type-C USB charging ports.

Boot Space



The EQA 250+ has a boot space of 350 litres with the rear seats up. The 60:40 split rear seats can be folded down to increase cargo space. Unlike most other EVs, the EQA does not have a frunk.

Last edited by Aditya : 9th July 2024 at 20:07.
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Old 8th July 2024, 10:00   #4
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Driving the EQA 250+


No frunk at the front. No plastic cover for the components either:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_engine_01.jpg

The EQA 250+ comes with a 70.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted on the floor of the car. Powering the car is a single electric motor that puts out 188 BHP and 385 Nm. It is mounted at the front and drives the front wheels.

To bring the electric motors to life, you need to press the brake and press the engine start/stop button.

Step on the accelerator and the car moves forward gently. There are no jerks from gearshifts and no sound from the engine, which means it is an extremely refined experience. Driving the car in city traffic is a breeze. There is enough power on tap to keep up with the traffic and close a gap to the vehicle in front quickly.

On the open road, the EQA 250+ provides fair performance. However, you will not find it very exciting, especially if you have driven the dual motor Volvo XC40 Recharge. Mercedes claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.6 seconds - 1.3 seconds slower than the XC40 Recharge Single Motor and 3.7 seconds slower than the Volvo's Dual motor version. It is still brisk though. Floor the A-pedal and you will moved ahead of most other cars around you without much difficulty. The top speed is claimed to be 160 km/h.

The EQA 250+ Recharge can easily cruise at triple-digit speeds on the highway and when you need to overtake a slower vehicle quickly, just floor the A-pedal and romp past the vehicle. However, the harder you drive, the faster the range drops. This is also why you will see EVs that are driving longer distances sticking to the middle lane and cruising at 80-100 km/h (which is the best cruising speed for the current lots of EVs).

The EQA 250+ comes with 4 driving modes - Comfort (default), Eco, Sport and Individual. These modes alter the throttle response.

Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_engine_06.jpg

The Comfort mode is the default mode which is in between the middle of Eco and Sport modes. It works well in town and on the highway and offers a good balance between range and performance.

In Eco mode, the throttle response is lazier. This mode provides the smoothest ride, especially in the city where traffic is thicker. However, it is not suitable for use on the highway where you might need to overtake a vehicle quickly.

In Sport mode, it's the opposite. Even with a light dab of the throttle, the motor responds. On undivided highways, this is the mode to use to pull off quick overtakes. The steering firms up too. However, using this mode in the city is not advisable as power delivery can get spiky.

Individual mode gives you the option to customise your driving experience to your requirements.

No insulation under the bonnet...
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_engine_02.jpg

...but full insulation on the firewall:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_engine_03.jpg

Full underbody protection:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_engine_04.jpg

Regenerative Braking



The EQA 250+ comes with 4 levels of regenerative braking - Normal, Strong, Maximum and Intelligent. You can switch between these three levels by using the paddles located behind the steering wheel. The Normal level is not very noticeable and if you have the car in this mode, you might end up using the brakes a lot. On the Strong and Maximum levels, the braking gets progressively stronger.

The Intelligent recuperation mode can be engaged by keeping one of the paddles pulled. In this mode, the car decides how much braking should be done depending upon the traffic on the road. While it works pretty well on the highway where the traffic is flowing fast and smooth, it can catch you out on city roads.

Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_09.jpg

Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH)



Like most EVs, the EQA 250+ is super quiet. There’s no engine or gearbox to make any noise, so the overall driving experience is silent.

Cabin insulation is top class and wind noise and tyre / road noise are well controlled. Overall, the cabin is a quiet and comfortable place to be in.

Range



The Mercedes EQA 250+ has a WLTP-certified range of 560 km. We drove the car for ~150 km and used up ~45% of the battery. But then our driving included some really fast runs, hard acceleration, idling and playing around with the drive modes and regen levels. Driven more sensibly, you can expect a range of ~400 km.

Given the rising demand for EVs, there are plenty of charging stations popping up everywhere, which ought to take care of range anxiety as well. There are more than 1,000 charging points in India that can be located via the FICH App. Mercedes itself has set up more than 150 charging points in the country.

Charging



Mercedes claims that using the standard 11 kW AC charger, a full charge should take 7 hours and 15 minutes. The car can also be charged using a 100 kW DC charger. The company claims that this can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes.

Suspension


Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_engine_05.jpg

Ride Comfort



The Mercedes EQA 250+ The GLA gets MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear. As you would expect from a European car, the setup is on the stiffer side and you do feel a lot of the road. A big contributor to this is the 19-inch wheel size of the AMG Line accompanied by 235/50 section runflat tyres. That’s not a very tall profile to provide a cushy ride. While the suspension can handle small bumps and potholes you can still feel them in the cabin. Large potholes should be handled with more caution.

The recommended tyre pressure is a rather high 40 PSI. Dropping the pressure might help improve the ride.

Handling & Dynamics



As expected from a German car, the straight-line stability is excellent and occupants won't even know that the car is cruising at triple-digit speeds. Expansion joints on the highway do not unsettle it. Vertical movement is well-controlled as well.

On long curves, the car holds its line well. When you push it on twisty roads, the stiff suspension shows its benefits. There is very little body roll and the car changes direction without fuss. Our test car came with 235/50 R19 Continental Contact 6 runflat tyres, which provided enough grip for the power on tap.

Steering



The EQA gets an electric power steering, which is very user-friendly. It's light in the city and most owners will appreciate that. The light steering and automatic transmission make the car very easy to drive in the city. At higher speeds, the steering weighs up well. There's no nervous feeling or twitchiness at all while cruising on the highways. The feel is consistent and the steering is very predictable. On the twisty roads, it relays a good amount of feedback.

Braking



The EQA is equipped with disc brakes at the front and rear. The braking performance is strong and the car comes to a halt without any drama. Under hard braking too, the car doesn't lose its composure. Mercedes has equipped the EQA with Active Brake Assist.

Last edited by Aditya : 8th July 2024 at 10:03.
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Mercedes EQA 250+ Exterior Images


Front end is dominated by the now-familiar signature EQ black panel grille adorned with a large 3-pointed star:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_03.jpg

Rear features LED combination tail-lamps at either end with an LED light strip running across the tailgate connecting the two:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_04.jpg

Roof rails and black plastic cladding on the sides attempt to make the EQA more rugged:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_05.jpg

The EQA 250+ measures 4,463 mm in length, 1,834 mm in width, and 1,624 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,729 mm:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_06.jpg

Build quality and fit & finish are top-notch:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_07.jpg

Twin pod LED headlamp cluster has an LED DRL strip running on top which also doubles up as a turn-indicator. The EQA gets adaptive high beam assist:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_09.jpg

DRLs merge into an LED strip above the grille connecting the two headlamps:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_08.jpg

Big Mercedes logo sits on a big closed grille that also has 3D star detailing. Notice the off-centre front camera:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_10.jpg

Front bumper houses a pair of glossy black inserts at the ends, a wide air dam with chrome inserts, sensors and a towing point:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_11.jpg

Fully protected and absolutely flat undercarriage - a necessity in India:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_12.jpg

Bonnet gets four prominent creases:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_13.jpg

ORVMs get integrated turn-indicators:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_14.jpg

Cameras for the 360-degree camera system are located underneath:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_15.jpg

Door handles get silver inserts on the top:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_16.jpg

Black plastic cladding on the side gets a chrome insert:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_17.jpg

19-inch 10-spoke AMG alloy wheels shod with with 235/50 section Continental EcoContact 6 runflat tyres:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_18.jpg

Gap between the wheel and wheel arch is more compared to the GLA:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_19.jpg

Full wheel well cladding at the front and rear:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_20.jpg

Full underbody protection in the mid section:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_21.jpg

Tyre pressures are indicated on the inner side of the charging port flap:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_22.jpg

11 kW charger comes as standard. A 100 kW DC fast charger can also be used:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_23.jpg

Glass area is fairly sized and gets a chrome border. Rood slopes down towards the rear :
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_24.jpg

Big panoramic sunroof lets in a lot of light inside the cabin. Roof rails are finished in silver:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_25.jpg

Prominent roof spoiler houses the HMSL:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_26.jpg

LED tail-lamp cluster looks sleek:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_27.jpg

A look at all the rear lights in action:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_28.jpg

Press the Mercedes-Benz logo to open the tailgate. It houses a Passat-style reversing camera:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_29.jpg

"EQA 250+" lettering is pasted on the left:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_30.jpg

Boot loading lip gets a shiny chrome applique:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_31.jpg

Rear bumper gets a large black portion with two slim reflectors, sensors and a towing point. Just like the front, chrome inserts have been provided:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_32.jpg

Full underbody protection at the rear as well:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_exterior_33.jpg

Last edited by Aditya : 8th July 2024 at 10:07.
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Old 8th July 2024, 10:01   #6
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Mercedes EQA 250+ Interior Images


Interiors are well-designed and solidly built. Ergonomics are absolutely perfect with all controls falling easily to hand:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_03.jpg

While this is no full-size SUV like say the Fortuner, the view from the driver's seat is commanding:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_04.jpg

Flat-bottom, leather-wrapped steering wheel gets layered side spokes finished in glossy black and silver inserts. Steering is good to hold and gets manual reach and rake adjustment:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_05.jpg

Steering gets touch-type controls in two layers as you can see here. The top left are buttons for controlling the infotainment while the top right are for scrolling through the MID functions. The bottom left buttons are for telephony controls and the bottom right buttons are for cruise control. While it may take some time to get used to these controls, once you do, they’re a breeze to operate:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_06.jpg

Head-up display is very clear. It can be customised and adjusted for height according to the driver's preference:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_07.jpg

Metal paddle shifters add to the premium feel. The are used to switch between the different regen modes:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_74.jpg

10.25-inch instrument cluster has a customisable display and displays plenty of information. The display is clear and legible:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_08.jpg

You can choose the theme of your choice:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_10.jpg

Vehicle-related information can also be accessed through the MID. You can also display the media and map here:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_11.jpg

The EQA is equipped with radar-based driving assistance with a mono camera for the active brake assist system::
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_12.jpg

A TPMS has also been provided:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_13.jpg

Indicator, high beam and wiper controls on the left stalk and the drive mode selector on the right:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_14.jpg

Engine start/stop button is located to the left of the steering. It gets a silver border:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_15.jpg

Turbine-shaped A/C vents are finished in rose gold:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_16.jpg

Electric parking brake and light functions are placed on the right-hand side of the driver:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_17.jpg

All-black theme continues onto the doorpad as well. The top part has soft touch material and the area around the armrest gets an leather finish with contrast white stitching:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_18.jpg

Mercedes logo is projected on the ground from below the front doors:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_49.jpg

Door sills are not very wide. They get backlit "EQA" branded scuff plates:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_19.jpg

Front seats are draped in black Artico leather and rose gold fabric upholstery They provide good overall support and get lumbar adjustment as well:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_20.jpg

Both front seats get electric adjustment and memory function:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_21.jpg

Seat base can be manually extended as well to provide better under-thigh support for taller drivers:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_22.jpg

Seatbelts are adjustable for height:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_23.jpg

Illuminated driver footwell is spacious, with nicely spaced out A & B pedals and a usable dead pedal. No plastic/rubber trim on the carpeted dead pedal, which is a miss given how much it's going to get used. Bonnet release is hidden under the dash and needs some fishing to find:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_24.jpg

ORVM is well sized and you get a good view of the action behind. You also have a blind-spot warning light:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_25.jpg

View from the IRVM is limited thanks to the thick C-pillars and rear headrests:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_26.jpg

Center console looks a lot more clean and simple:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_28.jpg

10.25-inch touchscreen uses the latest MBUX: NTG7 telematics. Just like the MID, this screen also has a crisp display and plenty of options to explore. It gets wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. It gets gesture control which works with a 3D camera placed in the overhead control panel. It activates a search light when the drive stretches out his hand towards the unoccupied front passenger seat in dark or low light conditions. Form a "V" with your index and middle fingers and hold in front of the touchscreen:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_29.jpg

‘Mercedes Me’ connected app settings can be accessed through the touchscreen along with other apps. There are the usual connected car apps like remote engine start, remote vehicle status, charge status, locking/unlocking, pre-condition temperature, operate windows, lights & horn, etc:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_30.jpg

Charge status, range, consumption are displayed on the touchscreen. One can select and optimise the charging program as well:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_31.jpg

Touchscreen also displays vehicle driving details and energy flow with some cool graphics:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_32.jpg

The EQA gets active parking assist (handsfree parking). 12 ultrasound sensors and reversing camera assist in parking the vehicle:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_39.jpg

You can also control the driver assistance systems:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_34.jpg

The climate control system can be switched on remotely before you enter the vehicle. Seat kinetics and ambient lighting can be controlled through the touchscreen. A car wash mode can be activated too:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_35.jpg

Comfort and occupant protection setting can be adjusted too:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_37.jpg

Inbuilt navigation is quite accurate though not as intuitive to use as Google Maps:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_33.jpg

Wireless Android Auto works like a charm:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_36.jpg

Camera quality of the 360-degree view system is fantastic:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_38.jpg

Rearward view is restricted by thick C-pillars. Better to take the assistance of reversing camera and parking sensors:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_40.jpg

The EQA is equipped with a dual-zone climate control system. Good to see that Mercedes has used physical buttons here. They’re very nice to use and offer good feedback:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_41.jpg

Centre console gets a glossy black sliding cover. Opening it reveals a wireless
smartphone charging pad, a USB Type-C charging port and two cupholders:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_42.jpg

Like the GLA, Mercedes has ditched the touchpad and instead, you get this shallow rubberised area to keep your cards or keys or loose change. While it looks cleaner, the touchpad also meant that the passenger didn’t have to lean forward and reach out to operate the touchscreen. The drive mode button labelled as ‘Dynamic’ is placed ahead along with the volume control and 360-degree camera button:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_43.jpg

Under the centre armrest is a rather spacious storage box with a felt lining and 2 USB Type-C charging ports:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_44.jpg

Ambient lighting with 64 colours has been provided. Even the detailing on the passenger side of the dashboard is backlit:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_45.jpg

Glovebox has a soft felt lining:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_46.jpg

It gets illumination, but no cooling vent:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_47.jpg

Massive panoramic sunroof lets in a lot of light, making the cabin feel airy:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_63.jpg

Roof bezel houses the sunroof controls. You have yellow coloured halogen reading lights here along with an emergency call button and of course the sunroof button:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_48.jpg

Both sunvisors get vanity mirrors with covers & lights and ticket holders:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_50.jpg

Rear doorpads get the same theme as the ones in the front. Rear speakers and tweeters are housed on them:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_51.jpg

No scuff plates at the rear:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_52.jpg

Rear legroom is sufficient for most people:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_53.jpg

Backrest is set at a comfortable angle, but the seat is placed on the lower side and the floor is high. This results in a knees up sitting position. Headroom is adequate:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_54.jpg

Front seatbacks are scooped out to liberate more knee room. They have storage nets for rear seat occupants to use:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_55.jpg

Rear seat is primarily designed for 2 passengers to travel comfortably. Middle passenger gets an adjustable headrest and a 3-point seatbelt, but the transmission tunnel and A/C vent console make things uncomfortable for him/her. ISOFIX child seat mounts have been provided:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_56.jpg

Centre armrest is wide and gets retractable cupholders:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_57.jpg

All doors get grab handles above them. Rear units get coat hooks and halogen reading lamps at the rear that are placed inside:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_58.jpg

Rear A/C vents are blacked out:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_59.jpg

Slot to slide in a smartphone is located below the vents:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_60.jpg

Down below, is a small storage space along with 2 USB Type-C charging ports:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_61.jpg

Prominent floor hump means that the middle passenger needs to place his feet on either side of it:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_62.jpg

Two speakers are placed on the roof just behind the sunroof:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_64.jpg

Boot space is rated at 350 litres. Tailgate it handsfree:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_65.jpg

While its capacity does not sound like much, the boot can hold a family's weekend luggage quite comfortably:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_66.jpg

Parcel shelf has a prominent lip to keep things from rolling onto the rear seat:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_67.jpg

Boot light is located on the left. A bag hook has been provided on the left and right sides:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_68.jpg

Storage pocket gets a net. 12V power outlet is placed above:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_69.jpg

Smaller storage pocket with net on the right:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_70.jpg

No spare wheel provided in the EQA. Instead, you get a puncture repair kit and tyre inflator. These, along with the warning triangle, towing eye and charging cable are stowed below the boot floor:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_72.jpg

Folding the rear backrests down gives you much more cargo capacity:
Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-2024_mercedes_eqa_250_interior_73.jpg

Disclaimer: Mercedes invited Team-BHP for the EQA 250+ test-drive. They covered all the travel expenses for this driving event.

Last edited by Aditya : 8th July 2024 at 22:55.
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Old 8th July 2024, 10:10   #7
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Re: Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

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Old 8th July 2024, 10:42   #8
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Re: Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

Fantastic offering by the Mercedes. If they price it right, this has got to be the most desirable entry-level EV SUV in the luxury segment.
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Old 8th July 2024, 11:48   #9
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Re: Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

Fantastic review it is!

I hope they start production in India as soon as possible so that Mercedes can offer it at a competitive price.
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Old 8th July 2024, 12:03   #10
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Re: Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

Almost without exception, cheap or expensive, in all these cars the rear seats have questionable ergonomics. You have to sit "knees up" and the seats are not fit for anyone other than kids for comfortable long drives.

In youtube videos, all reviewers comfortably gloss over this fact. If you have a driver who will drive you around most of the time, I strongly suggest that is how you should do your "test drives"...I did, and as a result, I am yet to find a car that provides the kind of back-seat comfort I am looking for.
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Old 8th July 2024, 12:57   #11
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Re: Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

The Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ is priced at Rs 66 lakh, ex-showroom.

Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-20240708_125641.jpg

Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-20240708_125644.jpg

Mercedes EQA 250+ Review-20240708_125646.jpg

Link
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Old 8th July 2024, 13:17   #12
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Re: Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

Excellent review Aditya and team. Ticks most of the boxes for a luxury entry level SUV EV. At 66 Lakhs, price is competitive considering it's imported as CBU. In comparison with IONIQ5 which is CKD, we might feel EQA pricey for features and range it offers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aditya View Post

Mercedes EQA 250+ Interior Images


Centre armrest is wide and gets retractable cupholders:
Attachment 2625005
Isn't this a typo as there are no cup holders?

Last edited by Chetan_Rao : 9th July 2024 at 10:15. Reason: Typos
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Old 8th July 2024, 14:49   #13
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Re: Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

Quote:
Originally Posted by evtdtorque View Post
Isn't this a typo as there are no cup holders.
Look at the plastic surface at the front of the armrest. Press that and the cupholders pop put. Some other Mercedes cars have the same arrangement.
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Old 8th July 2024, 15:12   #14
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Re: Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

Does it get adaptive cruise control ?
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Old 8th July 2024, 16:46   #15
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Re: Mercedes EQA 250+ Review

Is it just me or all the EV offerings by Merc feel meh?

I am in the market for an EV from sometime and just waiting for the budget to finally make the move. When I saw the announcement and initial review images, they intrigued me but as an overall package it's still meh for me.


Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Volvo C40, BYD Atto/Seal and even Creta EV feel they have a soul and unique characteristics to offer for the price.

I cannot put my finger on why. It's purely subjective.

Last edited by Chetan_Rao : 9th July 2024 at 10:14. Reason: Typos
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