Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 pricing revealed

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 will be the German car-maker’s most affordable electric vehicle when it arrives mid-year, with the all-new small SUV undercutting the larger EQC that’s already on sale by almost $63,000.

Priced at $76,800 plus on-road costs, the EQA 250 not only significantly undercuts the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 that starts at $139,700 plus ORCs, it will slot into the middle of the similarly-sized, conventional-engined GLA range priced between $55,300 and $108,100 plus ORCs.

Announcing local pricing and specifications today, Mercedes said the EQA 250 was filling a “sweet spot” in its range.

“Globally, SUVs account for one in every three Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles sold, compact models comprise one in four, and customer interest in the Mercedes-Benz EQ brand and its expanding portfolio of all-electric and mild-hybrid models is at an all-time high around the world,” the company said.

Joining the EQC as the second EV in the brand’s stable, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQA is based on the same platform as the current GLA-Class but swaps out a conventional combustion engine for a full-electric powertrain and has a variety of other unique attributes.

In the case of the 250 variant, the asynchronous electric motor produces 140kW/375Nm – comparable to the regular GLA 250 (165kW/350Nm) – and drives the front wheels through a single-speed transmission.

Mercedes says this is enough to send the EQA 250 from 0-100km/h in 8.9 seconds, on its way to a 160km/h top speed – hardly inspiring numbers that reflect the extra weight involved in packaging the zero-emissions powertrain into the existing platform. The EQA 250 tips the scales at 2040kg.

The EQA 250 draws energy from a 66.5kWh ‘double-decker’ lithium-ion battery that enables a 480km range, according to Australia’s ADR measurement – or 426km when tested against European WLTP protocols.

According to the car-maker, this driving range was aided by the vehicle’s low wind resistance, with the EQA – which has a 0.28Cd drag coefficient – said to be the first model from Mercedes-EQC which has had its entire aerodynamic development undertaken digitally.

Benz claims the EQA 250 can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent capacity using a DC fast-charger (up to 100kW) in just 30 minutes, while a recharge from 10-100 per cent via an AC wallbox or charging station takes a claimed five hours and 45 minutes.

Standard features include 19-inch wheels, heated and electrically-adjustable front seats, ARTICO upholstery and leather sports steering wheel, plus a slew of safety aids.

Infotainment is handled via two familiar 10.25-inch touch-screens with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and digital radio. Wireless phone charging is also included.

An Edition 1 version will also be offered in Australia, bringing a swag of additional features and unique badging for an additional $7300 charge.

Further variants of the Mercedes-Benz EQA are promised down the line, including all-wheel drive models with a higher-output electric powertrain that produces at least 200kW, and a separate version that has a range of more than 500km (WLTP).