Mercedes EQA Review

Motors and performance

The EQA shares its powertrains with the larger, seven-seat EQB crossover. The range starts off with the 250+, which gets front-wheel drive and a 188bhp electric motor that's good for a 0-62mph of 8.6 seconds. It feels more than gutsy enough in everyday use, too, and feels pretty rapid even when you ask for a burst of acceleration when you're already doing 50mph. It makes the fast 300 and 350 models seem a bit superfluous, apart from the fact that the 250+ can struggle with traction when you're pulling away from a junction, especially if it's a bit damp or cold. You really do notice the wheels spinning - and they'll scrabble a bit if you accelerate hard out of a corner, too. 

That's why we find the four-wheel drive 4Matic versions more pleasant to drive. You get 225bhp in the 300, or 288bhp in the range-topping 350, which will deliver a 7.7- or 6.0 second 0-62mph time respectively, but it's more because they feel more grippy and neutral in cornering, and have better traction in general, than because they're faster. Avoid the top-spec AMG Line Premium Plus model, as it gets speed-sensitive steering that feels inconsistent and overly assisted. It's not as pleasant to use as the predictable and well-weighted steering that you get in the rest of the EQA range.  

Adaptive brake recuperation is standard on the EQA, and there are three levels that you can toggle through via paddles on the steering wheel. That's great, as we like having full control of the brake regen' via paddles, but you do have to get used to the EQA's system as it senses junctions and speed limits, as well as other cars up ahead. While that's very clever, it can also feel quite intrusive as it quite often feels like it's trying to slow you down sooner than you might have started braking yourself. You do get used to it, though, and once you've gotten used to the initially unsettling sense that the car is braking itself all the time, the EQA is a doddle to drive.

Drive and handling

Our EQA test car came on adaptive suspension, which is standard on the AMG Line Premium Plus, and while it does soften the ride around town it also brings more body lean. The car just feels a bit wallowy and squishy in its comfort settings, while it's then overly firm in its sportier mode. We'd avoid it and stick with a lower-spec car on passive dampers, but try and live with smaller wheels if you can as the EQA can be a bit lively over scruffy surfaces on big alloy wheels. 

On a country road the EQA feels quite sporty too, especially since the battery lowers the centre of gravity to make cornering just a little more fun. It follows its EQC big brother in being remarkably refined, too, although it can’t quite match its eerie silence with a little more wind and tyre noise. All told, provided you avoid the adaptive suspension and big wheels, the EQA feels fun and secure to drive, while also being compact and nimble enough to make light work of around-town stuff. The Kia EV6 is a better bet if you want a really fun, sporty drive, but the EQA handles and rides better than the Tesla Model Y and BMW iX1. It's a slick all-rounder.