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Road test: Mercedes EQA
The electric version of the GLA is very well equipped, pleasant to drive, with an impressive range, reasonable performance and at a price comparable to that of the petrol version that suddenly seems superfluous
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Mercedes
Crossover
electric car
electric car
Colmobil
Keenan Cohen
Tuesday, August 10, 2021, 11:20 Updated: 11:45
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Until a few years ago, despite some extraordinary popularity and manufacturers here and there, most of the attention was taken by electric cars that were quick to present luxury manufacturers across their offerings.
They will tell you about technological leadership, about an audience that wants the newest, or look like someone who cares about the environment, but one of the main reasons is completely different.
They did it because they did not have many choices, you see, when you are a Seat or Renault and your supply is based on small and popular cars for the most part you do not really break your head with compliance with air pollution ceiling and CO2 emissions, but when you are Mercedes, Audi or B. MV and your list has luxury limousines, huge crossovers and a car whose oil includes M, RS and AMG, that's a different story.
This is also the story behind Mercedes' electric EQ division and within it the EQA.
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Road test: Mercedes S-Class
To the full article
The future is around the corner and right now every gram of CO2 must be saved (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
The EQA is part of Mercedes' electric race, which began several years ago with the establishment of the EQ division.
Unlike its electric luxury EQS, this is a conversion of the GLA to full-power propulsion.
The external differences are therefore moderate and focus on the opaque front, different rims and the model logo on the wings and rear.
So the cute-tough-tough jeepney look remains.
Even in the cabin there are no drastic changes, it is still a very nice work environment, with excellent material and assembly quality, in a technological demonstration that is also excellent for the operation of the MBUX system.
The quality of the materials, the human engineering and the space are very good (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
The test car is in the Electric ART finish level (NIS 340,000), the second in the model hierarchy, with the Electric (NIS 300,000) below it and the Electric ART AMG line (NIS 380,000) above it.
At this level of finish it is quite equipped, with a digital dashboard and a multimedia screen measuring 10.25 inches each, LED lighting electrification and heating for the seats, leather and fabric combination upholstery, panoramic roof (which is not completely sealed and therefore heats the cabin) and more.
Safety systems include all known assistants (lane departure correction, braking, "dead space") as well as braking to detect cross-traffic in reverse and more.
The space in the back is excellent for children, less for adults because of the low seat (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
The front seats are spacious and comfortable even over time, the outward visibility is slightly disturbed due to slightly thick front beams.
The rear space is very good, as long as you remember that it is a small crossover based on the A-Class.
Two adults will come in here and they will only be bothered by the low bench and high floor that require slightly excessive knee bending (the batteries there).
Three children will have no problem thanks to the flat floor and they will also get air conditioning outlets.
With a modest 340 liters in the trunk, it will not be the vehicle for family trips of a few days in full composition.
Based on the GLA and the appearance is similar except for the grill (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
A single electric motor is driven on the paddle, which drives the front wheels.
The power is 188 hp and the torque is 38.2 kg.
The official performance is acceleration to 100 km / h in 8.9 seconds and maximum speed is limited as with trams, and here to 160 km / h.
Despite the modest power, the feel of driving is of a more agile vehicle than numbers numbers thanks to the engine’s immediate responses to pedal pressure.
However, as mentioned, in practice it is not one of the most agile in the environment and those who are looking for this sensation will be able to find it in the electric Volvo XC40, which completes the acceleration to 100 in 4.9 seconds.
The extra weight is reflected in the performance and behavior of the road (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
Part of the reason for this lies in the 66.5 kWh battery that bounces its weight to just over 2 tonnes. On the other hand it is also responsible for a declared range of 414 km.
In the reality test 360 km in test conditions are the range we recorded, in more moderate driving, with fewer highways and on days when the air conditioner is not at full strength it will easily climb to the 380 km districts.
The average power consumption was 18.7 kWh per 100 km.
Fast charging at DC positions is supported and the battery will reach from 10 to 80 percent within 30 minutes.
For us, this period of time can be charged from 40 to 100 percent (this is a normal figure, the charging systems slow down to the full capacity of the battery), hummus and we went out.
Supports fast charging, 30 minutes and you are at 80 percent battery (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
The ride in the city with this little electric one is overall pleasant, it is very easy to maneuver it between the traffic, in and out of parking lots and the high observation of the traffic around is a favorite of customers of the genre here as well.
In fact except for the front beams and stiffness on large disturbances I would give it a higher score in this section.
On highways and smooth roads the ride comfort was very good with a commendation mark for the noise isolation in an electric car is very important in the absence of the engine sound that disguises the others.
But simple physics is hard to deceive, so on disruptions or at slow and urban speeds the EQA struggles with the need to curb considerable weight by tightening the suspensions and the result is less “Mercedes” ride comfort than the seller.
Also the cheerful road behavior something I remembered from the GLA petrol is not quite here because of the extra weight that makes it a bit awkward.
Operating the MBUX system is a pleasure, one of the best on the market today, if not the best (Photo: Keinan Cohen)
Summary
The Mercedes EQA, despite being a “converted” vehicle based on a petrol car manages to do everything expected from an electric crossover in general and one that comes from a Mercedes specifically.
In fact, from an objective point of view, the vehicle's capabilities have an excellent answer to those who, in my opinion, constitute an absolute majority of the model's customers.
Driving range of over 350 km in harsh conditions, support for fast charging, comfort and safety equipment, dimensions and at a price very similar to its 200 petrol version - it offers a much higher value in addition to the obvious benefits of an electric vehicle. The base version of the petrol car for the average customer,
but at a price starting at NIS 300,000 and NIS 340,000 for the test car, is very expensive, and with a new competitor that presents a long list of advantages on paper in the form of the Volvo XC40 and lower price and with Audi Q4 e- tron approaching, his debut advantage is diminished and he is left to convince mostly with the glittering symbol.
Why buy the petrol version?
(Photo: Keinan Cohen)
On the technical side: Mercedes EQA
Engine, propulsion:
electric, front
battery (kWh):
66.5
Power (hp):
188
Torque (kg):
38.2
Transmission:
Single gear
Dimensions:
Length (cm):
446
Width (cm) M):
183
Height (cm):
162
Wheelbase (cm):
273
Trunk (liters):
340
Performance:
Acceleration 0-100:
8.9 seconds
Maximum speed:
160 km / h
Competitors:
Currently: Volvo XC40 P8, coming soon: Audi Q4 e-tron
Price:
NIS 300,000 (base), NIS 340,000 (test)
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