Mercedes-Benz India has added a new EV to its three-strong portfolio on July 8, 2024: the EQA. This will be the fourth EV that Mercedes will have in India after the EQB seven-seat SUV, EQE SUV and EQS sedan. The India launch of the EQA is part of Mercedes’ plans to double its EV portfolio to six cars in 2024.
The EQA that is on its way to India is the facelifted SUV that was revealed in August last year. With its relatively sleek (compared to the more upright EQB seven-seat e-SUV), crossover-like design, the EQA features a grille panel with Mercedes’ signature star pattern and a full-width light bar at the front. At the rear, the EQA shares a lot of the design elements with the EQB.
On the inside, the electric SUV gets the star pattern on the dashboard and door trim pieces; these bits are backlit to link it with the S-Class and EQS. The cabin of the India-spec model is expected to feature a touch-capacitive three-spoke steering wheel, a digital driver display, a 10.25-inch touchscreen running the latest OS, and a Burmester sound system with Dolby Atmos – occupants can choose from four ‘sound experiences’, including ‘silver waves’ and ‘vivid flux’, which change the tone and acoustics of songs. Whether the India-spec model gets the optional open-pore wood trim is unknown.
Mercedes EQA: range, powertrain details
While Mercedes hasn’t confirmed the battery details or technical specifications for the India-spec EQA, in international markets, the SUV comes in four variants – EQA 250, EQA 250+, EQA 300 4Matic and EQA 350 4Matic. Other than the 250+ variant, which gets a 70.5kWh battery with up to 560km of range, the EQA gets a 66.5kWh battery pack that has a maximum range of 528km (WLTP).
Mercedes EQA charging
The battery can be charged using an 11kW AC charger or an up to 100kW DC fast charger.
For reference, the EQB is on sale in India in 350 4Matic forms; it gets a 66.5kWh battery that powers two electric motors (one on each axle) making a combined a 292hp and 520Nm of torque. The EQB 350 4Matic has a WLTP range up to 423km, and you can read about how it performs in our long-term tests here.
Mercedes EQA: price estimate, rivals
Prices for the EQA are likely to be slightly below the EQB, which is currently priced at Rs 77.75 lakh. Merc’s entry-level e-SUV will compete against the Volvo XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge (Rs 54.95 lakh-62.95 lakh) and the BMW iX1 (Rs 66.90 lakh). However, even Kia’s EV6 (Rs 60.97 lakh-65.97 lakh) could be seen as a rival.