Mercedes-Benz EQA

The cabin of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQA gets a sweeping, multi-layered dashboard. The seats get genuine leather and the cabin is undeniably premium, courtesy of the posh materials that justify the high price tag. The multifunction steering wheel feels solid but some of the plastic parts does feel cheap. The climate control buttons are rather cumbersome to operate. The EQA gets a pair of 10.0-inch touchscreen units one for infotainment and the other for driver information. Both run on the latest MBUX system. The design is sleek, the graphics are crisp, and the layout is intuitive. The boot is rather shallow with only 30 litres of storage space under the parcel tray. A recessed space under its floor takes the charging cables. 

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQA looks quite similar to the GLA when viewed from the side. The all-electric crossover-sports utility vehicle (SUV) retains the same pebble-like, smooth shape as its petrol version. The car runs on uniquely styled, 18-inch aero-efficient alloy wheels that contribute to the mileage. The wheels cut through the air more efficiently than the GLA's. Updates for 2024 include star motifs on the front grille. With no engine to cool, the company has removed the grille and replaced it with shiny plastic. There's a small air intake lower down to cool the batteries. The grille is flanked by smart-looking headlights. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQA gets all-round LED lighting. The car's backside has designer elements too. The brake lights are new and there's a full-width lightbar just like the one in the front. This takes a lot of space and the numberplate has been moved down to the bumper. The sloping down roofline conforms to the latest design element of crossover-SUVs. Instead of using an all-new platform, the EQA is mounted on Merc's modular front-drive architecture (MFA) chassis, adapted for EVs. The car's jacked-up silhouette is almost identical to the GLA. 

The cabin of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQA is spacious. The front seats get the maximum space with multi-level electrically adjustable seats. Getting into the perfect driving position is easy. All sets are nicely padded and come with lumbar support. The back seats are placed lower to preserve headroom because of the battery that sits beneath the floor. The seating position is squatting-type and not the most comfortable. The adaptive suspension allows choosing between soft and comfortable settings or can firm up everything with a firmer drive. It works well to deal with the bumps and potholes. 

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQA is hauled by an asynchronous permanent magnet electric motor that produces 288 PS/520 Nm. The motor is mated to 79.8 kW liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery. The car performs well on city streets and handling is easy. It's not much sporty though. The car quickly turns sharp corners. On highways, the EQA comes across as a nice cruiser. The 300-mile run range is more than adequate.  

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQA comes with a lot of driver-assist features and safety equipment. Automated emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree camera are standard. There’s also the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command function along with satellite navigation support. There are several modes for regenerative braking and the strongest option enables the driver to pilot the car with only an occasional need to touch the brake pedal. This is a great feature in stop-start traffic.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQA has a starting price of AED 299,900. It's among the most expensive crossover SUVs in its class. But it's tech-rich and offers a comfortable ride. The cabin is plush and the mileage is great. Overall, it's a luxurious car to own.