Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 2021: electric small SUV arrives in Australia

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The Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 has landed in dealership around the country and in doing becomes Australia’s first luxury entry into the fully electric small SUV segment.

Initially landing with a choice of two grades, the EQA 250 starts at $76,800 for the entry-level model, with the more feature-packed EQA 250 First Edition commanding a bit more at $84,100 (both prices before on-road costs).

Both grades will be available with 408km of range as tested under the strict WLTP standard, which is slightly less than the 417km offered by the larger and more expensive Mercedes-Benz EQC midsize SUV.

The EQA 250 uses a single electric motor developing 140kW of power and 375Nm of torque that is sent exclusively to the front wheels that give it a 0 to 100km/h acceleration time of 8.9 seconds.

Buyers wanting a bit more power and all wheel drive will have to wait until late November or early December this year when the EQA 350 arrives.

Sitting at the top of the local range, the EQA 350 will offer slightly more range at 432km (WLTP) with the additional electric motor upping power significantly to 215kW/520Nm, trimming the 0-100km/h time down to 6.0 seconds.

The EQA’s first real competitor will land in the third quarter of this year in the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric with a price of $76,990 and all wheel drive as standard, with the yet to be priced Lexus UX 300e to follow in November.

With both a more affordable front-driven grade and powerful all wheel drive model on the table, the EQA will be far more tempting to buyers already considering the Mercedes-Benz GLA small SUV – which is closely related save for drivetrain and styling differences.

Jerry Stamoulis, head of media relations and product communications at Mercedes-Benz Australia told Chasing Cars the initial reaction from customers had been overwhelming

“We have cars in dealerships and we are already hearing stories of customers walking in, looking at a vehicle such as a GLA, and walking out with an EQA,” he said, adding that the recently announced EV incentives would only encourage buyers further.

Ryan Lewis, media relations and product communications manager at Mercedes-Benz Australia said the GLA and EQA were similar cars that served similar roles but the new electric SUV still had its own role to play.

“(The EQA) is a standalone EQ product, but the form factor makes sense for a lot of customers, and the relationship [to the GLA] is not something we are trying to hide,” he said. 

“There is a close relationship with the GLA, but the EQA is certainly its own model.”

Outside of the luxury segment we have seen an increasing amount of EVs in the small SUV segment with the long-standing Hyundai Kona Electric now joined by the MG ZS EV and the Kia Niro EV.

Mercedes-Benz EQA 2021: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• EQA 250: $76,800
• EQA 250 First Edition: $84,100
• EQA 350 4MATIC: To be advised in Q4 2022