The EQA is Mercedes’ entry-level electric SUV

Unlike rivals like the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4, Mercedes has eschewed a dedicated electric-car platform and has adapted the existing A-Class to electricity instead. “The EQA proves that, by using a tried and tested architecture, it is possible to achieve an excellent compromise between performance, costs and time to market," says Mercedes cars chef Markus Schäfer.

Set to be the most accessible of all Merc’s EQ models, with prices tipped to be around £40,000 in the UK, the EQA arrives in UK showrooms in the spring. The top of the range Edition 1 version, shown in the pictures, is not coming to the UK but a range of other versions will be.

The EQA line-up will grow to include power options from 190PS (140kW) to more than 267PS (200kW), with single-motor front-wheel-drive and twin-motor all-wheel-drive layouts. There will be a special maximum-range version that targets 310 miles (500km) on a single charge, and for those who want more room and family-friendly flexibility it is likely an EQB will quickly follow.

First up though it’s the EQA 250 with a single motor driving the front wheels from a 66.5kWh battery under the floor at the rear of the car – where the "double-decker" lithium-ion stack reduces boot space from a regular GLA’s 480 litres to 340 litres. Range is said to be 301 miles with recharging taking 30 minutes on a fast DC charger or just under six hours at an AC wallbox. The 190PS power is backed up by 375Nm of torque and the EQA 250 gets from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds before running out of steam 37mph later: top speed is restricted to 99mph.

Despite the smaller boot, the rear seat backrests still fold down 40:20:40 to boost luggage capacity when needed, while this is one electric car fit for towing. A tow bar with electronic trailer stability control is an option. Towing capacity is 750kg (unbraked) and Mercedes says the coupling has been approved for use with a bicycle rack.

As you expect of Mercedes, there’s plenty of smart tech aboard that has been adapted to make the most of the electric drivetrain. The standard navigation system, for example, calculates a route on the basis of not just where charging points are but also on what power-sapping hills there are along the way.

There is also artificial intelligence behind the EQA’s 0.28 CD factor. The EQA is the first Mercedes whose aerodynamic development has been undertaken entirely digitally. The blanked off grille, almost completely enclosed underbody and optimised aero wheels all help cut wind resistance and boost the car’s range.

Standard spec on the EQA 250 for the UK will LED headlamps with adaptive highbeam, electrically opening and closing tailgate, 18-inch light-alloy wheels, ambient lighting with 64 colours, four-way adjustable lumbar support, a reversing camera and leather multifunction sports steering wheel along with the MBUX infotainment and smart navigation.

Also standard is a heat pump. This recycles waste heat from the electric drive system to maximise range – but surely far more importantly allows you to set the cabin temperature remotely on a phone app, so the car is nice and toasty before you set off. Just what you need in January!