Overview
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA is a new all-electric crossover SUV that’s based on the regular subcompact GLA-class. As part of Mercedes’s EQ subbrand, which produces fully electric models, the EQA is expected to enter production later this year. Mercedes has only released information on the global model so far but says it is still being considered for entry into the U.S. market. Given the American appetite for luxury SUVs, we think bringing the 2022 EQA here would be a good move. Power comes from an all-electric powertrain that generates 188 horsepower on front-drive models and 268 horses on all-wheel-drive versions, which both source their juice from a battery pack mounted under the floor of the vehicle.
What’s New for 2022?
If the 2022 EQA does in fact make it to American showrooms, it will be an all-new model and the entry point to the company’s electrified SUV offerings.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We expect the EQA’s available trim levels to mirror those of the larger EQC, but we don’t have set pricing just yet. We also don’t know how the EQA will be equipped or what features will be standard or optional, but we’ll find out more closer to the SUV’s on-sale date.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Under the hood, the standard EQA250 is powered by a single electric motor that generates 188 horsepower and exclusively feeds the front wheels. We’re told there will eventually be a range-optimized EQA as well as an all-wheel-drive configuration with 268 horses. The European version of the front-drive, 188-hp EQA250 that we drove was slowed by its hefty curb weight. While it felt responsive at city speeds, it was considerably more sluggish above 60 mph. Mercedes estimates it’ll accelerate from zero to 62 mph in an unimpressive 8.9 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 99 mph. The more powerful EQA should help offset its mass, but we can’t say whether it’ll change its ride and handling. As it stands, we were unimpressed with Mercedes’s listless body control, intrusive stability-control system, and numb brake-pedal feel.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The EQA will use a 66.5-kWh battery pack to deliver between 200- and 250-miles of driving range. That range figure is important because it means that it can compete with similarly priced rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Once the EPA tests the U.S. version of the EQA, it will provide an efficiency rating in MPGe, which is a miles-per-gallon equivalent for electric vehicles. Once we get an EQA in for testing, we’ll run it on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and we can evaluate its real-world efficiency.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Save for a few rose gold accents and other trimmings, the EQA’s interior is essentially identical to the GLA’s. That means five seats with a reasonable amount of cargo space inside the rear hatch. However, Mercedes has slightly raised the cabin floor and the rear cargo floor to package the battery back. The result is reduced space in both areas, and it means back-seat passengers are forced into a less comfortable seating position than in the regular GLA. We’re not sure how much smaller the cargo hold is, so we don’t know how it’ll affect luggage capacity. We managed to fit six carry-on suitcases behind the GLA250’s rear seat. That total jumped to 16 bags of luggage with the seatbacks stowed.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Mercedes-Benz’s newest MBUX infotainment system will be on hand inside the EQA. It will offer a touchscreen, voice command, and steering-wheel controls for its audio, navigation, and other functions. We’ve found this new interface to be frustrating to use at times, particularly its overly enthusiastic voice assistant that pops up any time you say the word Mercedes. The navigation will likely offer a feature to help drivers more easily find EV charging stations.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
We expect the EQA to offer a full suite of driver-assistance features at least as optional extras. Several features are likely to be standard, given the tech-forward nature of this vehicle. For more information about the EQA’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The EQA is likely to offer the same warranty coverage as the EQC and other Mercedes models. Whereas some rivals, such as the Jaguar I-Pace, offer complimentary scheduled maintenance as part of the standard warranty package, EQA buyers will likely need to pay for maintenance out of pocket.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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