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Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+

BBC TopGear India

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July 2024

₹66 lakh (ex-showroom)

- Saneet Dsilva

Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+

The monsoons have arrived now, but Mercedes-Benz India has been showering the Indian market with car launches since the beginning of this year, with six models already unveiled and six more on the horizon. While their EV lineup is expanding, it's shrinking in form factor. It started with the EQC, followed by the EQS, EQB, and the EQE SUV. Now, the newest EV offering from the German marque in India is their most compact and the most affordable one yet-the EQA! How does it fare in our testing? Let's dive in!

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At first glance, it shares many similarities with the GLA, as both cars are built on the MFA platform. However, Mercedes-Benz has replaced the traditional engine and fuel tank with an electric motor and battery pack. This means, unlike purpose-built electric cars, there's no front storage space, which is a bit of a letdown. However, there's a lot to appreciate in its design, which subtly makes it stand out from the GLA. The front grille has been swapped out with a blanked-out gloss black panel integrated with three-pointed star motifs.

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The aerodynamic front apron and electric blue accents in the headlamps unmistakably signal its electric nature, complemented by a striking full-width LED light strip.

On the sides, the profile mirrors the GLA's sporty silhouette but distinguishes itself with 19-inch aero wheels bearing the AMG badge.

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At the rear, the tail lamps are connected by a full-width LED bar, and the clever relocation of the three-pointed star to double as the electric boot opener adds functionality.

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