The first fully electric SUV from Mercedes was the EQC, a large and pretty expensive option for most people. Therefore, the EQA is Mercedes more mainstream offering in a compact SUV form and at a much lower price point compared to the EQC. Starting at just over £47K the EQA will be affordable to a much wider audience compared to the EQC starting from £65K, but what about towing? Well, the EQA can tow, and in certain trims up to 1,800kg the same as the much more expensive EQC, but range is going to be an issue.
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Key Mercedes EQA Specs
- Official Towing Capacity – 750 kg (250), 1,800 kg (300 & 350)
- Availability – Now
- Price – Starting £47,510 (250) > £53,010 (350)
- Range (EV Database) – 220 miles
- Estimated Towing Range (50%) – 110 miles
- Maximum Charge Rate – 112 kW
- Rapid Charge 10% to 80% – 29 mins
- Check Used Mercedes EQA Specs
Mercedes EQA HP & Torque
- EQA 250 – FWD with 188 HP and 277 lb-ft of torque
- EQA 300 4MATIC– AWD with 225 HP and 288 lb-ft of torque
- EQA 350 4MATIC – AWD with 288 HP and 384 lb-ft of torque
Mercedes EQA Towing Capabilties
The larger Mercedes EQC features a 1,800 kg towing capacity, and I fully expected the EQA being a smaller vehicle to feature a lower towing capacity I was expecting more along the lines of a 1,000 to 1,200 kg towing capacity.
The 750 kg towing capacity of the EQA 250 was very disappointing, as it means its only really capable of towing light camping/cargo trailers and that’s it. What’s even more disappointing is you will have to pay Mercedes £750 extra for the privilege to utilize that tiny 750 kg towing capacity.
To be fair to Mercedes though, they are not the only premium brand to sell a fully electric SUV with a disappointing towing capacity of 750 kg, the BMW iX3 and Jaguar I-Pace also have the same towing limitation. The Ford Mustang Mach-E also features the same disappointing 750 kg towing capacity.
However, Mercedes then released the 300 4MATIC and 350 4MATIC versions of the EQA with not only more power and four-wheel-drive but a higher towing capacity up to 1,800kg, matching its much more expensive sibling the EQC.
The EQA just like its larger sibling EQC is a converted EV from a platform originally designed for a petrol/diesel powertrain. Well, the problem with this approach is you are trying to shoehorn batteries into a platform not ideally suited to an EV layout of batteries in the middle of the vehicle.
Though I do think Mercedes managed to pull off a pretty good job converting the larger EQC into a full-electric vehicle and getting a reasonable range/towing capacity.
However, I think the EQA is severely compromised. Consider the fact that the EQA weighs in at over 2 tons which is considerable for a compact SUV, even an electric compact SUV. That additional weight is partly due to the battery pack, but its also likely due to additional chassis reinforcement to hold the battery pack into position.
Mercedes EQA vs The EV Towing Competition
So as I’ve already referenced above, there are other premium EVs which are also limited to a 750 kg towing capacity namely the BMW iX3, Jaguar I-PACE and Mustang Mach-E. However, there is a growing list of other EVs around this price bracket which are much more capable electric tow cars.
For instance, a Tesla Model 3 Long Range can tow 1,000 kg and has a real-world range roughly 60 miles more than the EQA 250 for the same money. Granted, the Tesla Model 3 does not have the same interior space as the EQA 250 as its not a compact SUV, so let’s look at other compact SUV options.
Well, there is the VW ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq which can tow 1,000 to 1,200 kg and feature a compact SUV design along with the Nissan Ariya which is able to tow 1,500 kg. Furthermore, there is also competition from the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and KIA EV6 which can tow 1,600 kg. The Tesla Model Y also has a 1,600 kg towing capacity.
Now, the more powerful versions of the EQA the 300 4MATIC and 350 4MATIC do feature an above-average 1,800kg towing capacity. However, an electric tow car needs the range and charging speed to match.
The maximum charging rate on all versions of the EQA is 112kW which is sub-par. Lower priced options such as the ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq can charge at up to 125kW, with the Nissan Ariya being slightly faster at 130kW.
The competition from the Hyundai IONIQ 5, KIA EV6 and Tesla Model 3/Y which can all fast/rapid charge between 210/233 kW which is where the 112kW maximum charging rate of the EQA is really shown up.
My Thoughts On The EQA…
So obviously I’m pretty disappointed with the 750 kg towing capacity on the Mercedes EQA 250, I was hoping for at least a towing capacity of 1,000 kg. However, the package as a whole I find pretty underwhelming, even without factoring in the towing capacity.
Granted, the EQA 300 4MATIC and 350 4MATIC can tow up to 1,800kg. However, for the price point and other features of the car (range/charging speed) don’t really suit a 1,800kg towing capacity on all but the shortest towing journies.
The range/efficiency of the EQA is below that of other similarly priced EVs and according to the WhatCar/Carwow reviews above, the ride/handling are not to the level I would expect from paying the premium of owning a Mercedes.
Apparently, the interior materials/fit and finish are above average, but that seems to be the only highlight of an otherwise very average electric vehicle compared to the current competition. Furthermore, that maximum charging rate of 112kW is just not competitive at all.