This is interesting, because the segment the EQA sits in has been gaining momentum steadily. That also means the EQA 250+ is a direct rival to the BMW iX1 and Volvo XC40 Recharge, both of which have been received well. It’s also important to note that the EQA will be adding crucial volumes to Mercedes-Benz India’s sales numbers. This should help the brand strengthen its positioning as India’s leading luxury car brand even further. So can the EQA 250+ carve its own niche in the compact luxury EV space? I spent a day behind its wheel to find out! 

First things first, unlike the EQE and EQS which don’t quite resemble the GLE and S-Class respectively, the EQA looks a lot like the GLA. That being said, there are some big differences in the cosmetic department. Being an EV the EQA gets a solid grille, as there is no need for a radiator. The grille is styled with numerous three-pointed stars from end to end, which makes for a very chic appearance. Just like the other EVs from Mercedes-Benz, the EQA gets the connected LED DRL strip too that runs across the width of the front end, accentuating its width. The side profile is similar to the GLA’s, though the EQA gets 19-inch aero wheels to reduce the overall drag coefficient to 0.28. At the rear, it gets the same connected LED treatment as seen in the front. Overall, the EQA has a butch appeal that helps it look larger than it is and very appealing. 

Interiors are as luxurious as you would expect of a car wearing the three pointed star. The plush dark theme oozes premiumness and just like the GLA, this one also gets a two-spoked steering wheel with touch panels. I am not a fan of the touch sensitive panels though, as they lacks precision. Ambient lighting on the dashboard, with the illuminated three pointed stars helps the cabin feel rich. AC vents get a rose gold treatment while the panoramic sunroof offers a roomy feel. Mercedes has used recycled plastic PET bottles to craft the EQA’s seats, which come finished in titanium grey Artico leather. Seat comfort is good for short distances but I am an inch over six feet in height, so finding a comfortable position was a bit of a challenge. One of my favourite features in the EQA is its music system, as it is equipped with a 710W, Burmester unit with 12 speakers. 

With the battery pack sitting in the floorboard the EQA’s floor is higher than the GLA’s but this doesn’t affect occupant comfort. That said, given my height, I did find myself sitting knees-up at the back besides which, given the EQA’s compact dimensions, kneeroom was at a premium too. The battery pack also means the EQA has also had to trade some of the boot volume, which stands at 340 litres, as compared to the GLA’s 425 litres. But the EQA does not come with a spare wheel unlike the GLA, which means you get a good amount of boot space here. The EQA uses the same, dual 10.25-inch displays as other Mercedes cars in the form of a widescreen, which enhances the cockpit experience. The infotainment screen uses new MBUX augmented reality features that are really immersive when using the inbuilt navigation system. The screen also supports gesture controls which can be customised. Overall, the EQA’s interiors feel very premium and welcoming and offer an immersive audio experience.

Now let’s address the elephant in the room, the EQA’s range performance and range. Mercedes-Benz has only launched front wheel drive version in India, the 250+, which uses a 70.5kWh battery pack. The electric motor is good for 190PS and 385Nm. Claimed 0-100kmph time is 8.9 seconds and top speed is a modest 160kmph. That said, the electric motor’s instant response and linear power delivery, especially in Sport mode is smile-inducing and addictive. The instant torque delivery is in fact one of the best bits about driving EVs, and the wheelspin along with a hint of torque steer in the EQA 250+ made me smile. The power delivery also remains progressive for a while, before flattening out. This helps in making the EQA a good driver’s car and it ensures you have fun even on your daily drives. Claimed range is very impressive too at 560km (WLTP). 

This is higher than the BMW iX1 and Volvo XC40 Recharge both, and also good enough to negate range anxiety, as you can expect upwards of 400km per charge in the real world. You also have three levels of regenerative braking, making energy recuperation very efficient. Throttle response is progressive too which adds to the ease of driving in traffic. I was expecting the suspension to be very firm, as is the case with most German cars, but the EQA soaks up potholes pretty well and offers a comfortable ride quality. However, this means there is a bit of body roll when going fast around corners, though the SUV feels very confident and planted. The steering offers decent feedback too, and while it isn’t exactly a driver’s car, the EQA will not disappoint you either.  

To sum it up, the EQA 250+ is an interesting addition to Mercedes-Benz India’s EV line-up. In fact somewhere, it could perhaps turn out to one of the most important launches from the brand this year, given its potential to do well in a segment that’s gaining popularity. It also feels like a strong rival to the BMW iX1 and Volvo XC40 Recharge, given its feature list, excellent range per charge and above all else, the brand value of the three-pointed star on its hood. And besides its packaging, the fact that it is a Mercedes-Benz is a big enough reason to consider the EQA 250+ if looking to add a luxury EV to your garage. 

The post Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+: First Drive Review first appeared on Turbocharged.

The GLA is offered in two variants in India – the Progressive Line and the AMG Line. We are driving the latter. At the front, it gets a new bumper design with faux air dams. The AMG Line gets a body-coloured front apron, adding a sporty look. The pin chrome AMG Line grille further adds to the visual drama and complements the refreshed headlamps that now feature DRL eyebrows.

The side profile remains unchanged. The higher roofline gives it a better road presence than the first-gen GLA, something that appeals to Indian buyers. Our review unit gets 19-inch alloys with AMG centre caps and chunky rubber, nestled in squared-off wheel arches that add more muscle. At the rear, the GLA gets the same bumper design with faux air dams, exhaust tips, and a diffuser that continues the sporty theme. What has changed, though, is the redesigned tail lamps that make the SUV feel wider.

The interiors receive a mild refresh as well. It gets a new AMG Line flat-bottom steering wheel featuring touch-sensitive buttons similar to other Mercedes-Benz AMG Line cars. It’s quite comfortable to hold and the buttons are easy to operate as well. The dual-screen setup comprises a fully digital instrument cluster, which can be configured with multiple theme options, including a navigation theme that shows the map across the entire display. The infotainment screen is a touchscreen unit with the latest MBUX software and is compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It gets a wireless charger in the centre console in addition to five USB Type-C ports split between the front and rear passengers. The 10.25-inch infotainment system gets inbuilt navigation along with voice recognition and a zero-layer learning feature. The GLA learns which features you use the most and changes the layout so the most-used functions are at the tap of a button, eliminating multiple layers of input from the user. The addition of a mobile gaming console in the infotainment unit is a great way to spend time and the Match 3 game even has a G-Wagen as a superpower, to bulldoze an entire grid — a Mercedes-Benz-themed Candy Crush? Yes, please.

The tech department has been enhanced further by a digital key handover and Mercedes-Benz’s Parktronic function, which uses the cameras mounted on the outside rearview mirrors to scan for empty parking spots on either side of the SUV. Once it finds a suitable spot, it will ask you to activate the function. Press the Parktronic button placed in the centre console, which earlier featured the touchpad to control the infotainment screen and has been replaced. The car then takes over the controls from you, prompting you to keep your foot close to the brake in case of an emergency. But overall, the GLA will indicate, change gears, steer, and even accelerate and brake for you to park the car in the determined spot without any drama. 

The GLA also gets safety features like a 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist and more.

The AMG-Line features a Microfiber black upholstery, which imitates the Alcantara-like feel to further continue the sporty theme on the inside. The wooden trim panels have been replaced with a carbon structure trim and the configurable ambient lighting makes the cabin feel futuristic and premium. The GLA also sports a panoramic sunroof that is divided into two for the front and rear passengers, making the cabin feel airy. The seats are comfortable and well-bolstered. These get kinetic seats function but miss out on the ventilated seats feature. 

The GLA facelift retains the same powertrain options- 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged-petrol with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing 190PS and 400Nm of torque paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. We are driving the latter. The powertrain is refined and ensures smooth power delivery from the get-go. Switch to Sport, and the throttle becomes sharper with aggressive gear changes. There is no delay in shifts from the dual-clutch gearbox, which ensures you are always in the meat of the powerband, resulting in linear acceleration until the redline. Launching it from nought has no drama whatsoever with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive efficiently putting the torque onto the tarmac, which also helps it grip, tons of grip! Switch to Comfort, and the steering wheel becomes lighter with laid-back gear shifts. Switching it into Eco, the throttle eases out to maximise fuel efficiency with a stark difference from the Sport mode.

 The chassis is stiff to complement the performance and the suspension firms up in Sport mode with body roll kept in check. The steering is direct with precise control and ample feedback. I would have liked some more feedback personally. Driving it with a heavy foot is easy thanks to the brakes that complement the performance with enough stopping power, a good bite, and short travel. 

The second-generation GLA brought in more premiumness and space into the equation, almost feeling a class above its predecessor. The new facelift helps accentuate that feeling by adding in more tech, something first-time buyers will appreciate. The GLA has been priced at Rs 50.50 lakh, which is a little over Rs 2 lakh premium over its predecessor. This seems justified given the number of features that have been included as standard in the facelift. As it stands the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA comes across as an accomplished SUV. 

The post Mercedes-Benz GLA 220d 4MATIC: First Drive Review first appeared on Turbocharged.