2024 Mercedes EQA (facelift): iX1 rival to go on sale in early 2024

Introduced in January 2021, the Mercedes EQA is a relatively new model. However, it has already received a facelift, as the company looks to keep its design aligned with other EQ electric models, and incorporate consumer feedback in a timely manner. In this story, we cover all the changes of the restyled electric compact SUV, which will become available to order in Europe in Fall 2023 and go on sale at the start of 2024. Note that the new EQA is not coming to the U.S. market.

Design

The 2024 Mercedes EQA features a refreshed design with revisions concentrated at the front. It incorporates changes inspired by higher-class Mercedes-Benz EQ models like the Mercedes EQE SUV and Mercedes EQS SUV. The 2024 EQA features the same headlamps and the same light band as the outgoing model. Mercedes-Benz has differentiated the 2024 model using a newly designed black panel surface, embellished with the signature star pattern.

For a fresher look on the sides, Mercedes-Benz offers four new alloy wheel designs in 18, 19-, and 20-inch sizes. A leading edge for the rear wheel arch contributes to improved aerodynamics. Unlike on the current EQA, the AMG Line trim’s wheel arch cladding is painted in body color.

At the rear, the tail lights have new graphics, and they integrate a ridge that functions as a spoiler, an aerodynamic optimization measure not present on the outgoing model. The color palette includes two new options, namely Spectral Blue and High-Tech Silver.

Interior

The 2024 Mercedes EQA’s interior has bare-minimum visual changes. The updated model features a new steering wheel with touch control buttons. The trim on the passenger-side dashboard is a new, backlit Mercedes-Benz (star) pattern.

The new EQA’s center console doesn’t have the outgoing model’s touchpad controller, which gives it a slightly cleaner look. The facelifted model allows customers to choose from four ‘Sound Experiences,’ a feature adopted from larger electric Mercs: Silver Waves, Vivid Flux, Roaring Pulse, and Serene Breeze.

New MBUX

Thanks to an updated generation MBUX, the user doesn’t need to scroll through submenus or give voice commands to use basic functions in the 2024 EQA. The displays can be customized with three styles: Subtle, Sporty, and Classic. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto offer users more convenience in the new EQA.

The charging flap of the 2024 EQA can be unlocked using a softy in the charging menu of the infotainment system. A new “range monitoring” function helps the driver to drive more efficiently by showing them several energy saving options on the central display.

Games

While waiting to pick some one up or to finish charging the battery pack at a public charging station, 2024 EQA customers can play mini-games such as Sudoku, Shuffle Pack, Match 3, and Pairs via the touchscreen and the touch control buttons on the steering wheel. The optional Burmester surround sound system is an upgraded one with Dolby Atmos.

Safety

The 2024 Mercedes EQA packs a few safety upgrades as well. It has a new mono camera and a new backup camera, leading to enhanced ADAS functions. Active Lane Keeping Assist, for instance, works more comfortably with steering intervention instead of Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Moreover, the parking systems can be operated more intuitively and more quickly.

Specifications

The 2024 Mercedes EQA carries over the EQA 250, EQA 250+, EQA 300 4MATIC, and EQA 350 4MATIC variants from the current model. All four variants employ the same powertrains, with the power and torque figures ranging from 140 to 215 kW and 385 to 520 Nm, respectively.

As for the battery pack, just like outgoing EQA, the new model uses a 66.5 kWh unit in the EQA 250, EQA 300 4MATIC, and EQA 350 4MATIC variants and a 70.5 kWh battery pack in the EQA 250+ variant. Thanks to the usage of new highly rolling-resistance-optimized 235/55 R 18 tires, though, the WLTP range figures have improved. The 2024 EQA 250+, for instance, is officially expected to travel 560 km (348 mi) on a full charge, 28 km (17 mi) more than the 2023 EQA 250+ (532 km/331 mi). The new summer tires are standard in many European countries.

The 2024 EQA allows charging at up to 11 kW (AC)/100 kW (DC), which means its peak charging inputs aren’t a step-up from the outgoing model. However, it offers more convenience with the Plug & Charge function.

Aspect\Specification	EQA 250	EQA 250+	EQA 300 4MATIC	EQA 350 4MATIC
Drivetrain Layout	FWD	FWD	AWD	AWD
Motor(Front/Rear)	PMSM	PMSM	ASM/PMSM	ASM/PMSM
System Power	140 kW (188 hp)	140 kW (188 hp)	168 kW (225 hp)	215 kW (288 hp)
System Torque	385 Nm (284 lb.-ft.)	385 Nm (284 lb.-ft.)	390 Nm (288 lb.-ft.)	520 Nm (384 lb.-ft.)
Battery Pack Capacity	66.5 kWh	70.5 kWh	66.5 kWh	66.5 kWh
Max. WLTP Range (Provisional)	528 km (328 mi)	560 km (348 mi)	459 km (285 mi)	459 km (285 mi)
Max. Charging Power (AC)	11 kW	11 kW	11 kW	11 kW
Max. Charging Power (DC)	100 kW	100 kW	100 kW	100 kW
AC 10-100% Charging Time (Unofficially Expected)	6.25 hours	6.5 hours	6.25 hours	6.25 hours
DC 10-80% Charging Time (Unofficially Expected)	32 minutes	32 minutes	32 minutes	32 minutes

Mercedes-AMG EQA variant incoming

A Mercedes-AMG EQA is in the pipeline, but fans may have to wait until the second generation SUV’s introduction to see the go-faster version. “An electrical platform in the direction of AMG is coming,” Mercedes-Benz Group BoM member and Chief Technology Officer (Development & Purchasing) Markus Schäfer told journalists after the Mercedes EQA’s debut, as per autocar.co.uk. “There will be performance variants of the EQA, B, S, E,” he added. The EQA could have multiple Mercedes-AMG variants like the GLA, and preliminary model details should come to light next year.

Production

Global production of the 2024 Mercedes EQA at the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant (Germany) is expected to start in mid-December 2023, as per a MB Passion blog report from April 24, 2023. The new EQA has been confirmed to make its show premiere at the IAA 2023, which will take place from September 4 to 10, 2023, in Munich, Germany.

For China, the production of the updated model, like the outgoing model, will take place at the BBAC (Beijing Benz Automotive Company) local plant.

Price

The new Mercedes EQA’s prices will likely start at around EUR 51,000 in Germany, which is likely to be the first country where it goes on sale when the calendar turns to 2024.

Will the Mercedes EQA arrive in the U.S.?

A report MotorTrend filed in October 2021 discussed various upcoming Mercedes-Benz EV models, based on an interaction with Heiko Schmidt, EQ brand manager, Mercedes-Benz USA. The report didn’t mention Schmidt talking about the EQA specifically but claimed that there’s no plan for a U.S. launch. The entry-level Mercedes electric car stateside is the Mercedes EQB.

Mercedes EQA sales

The EQA is one of the most popular Mercedes electric cars globally. In 2022, with 33,100 units sold, it ranked no.1 in the three-pointed star’s annual EV sales. Compared to 2021, EQA sales were up 43%. In Q1 2023, Mercedes-Benz sold 10,800 units of the pure-electric compact SUV, 64% higher than in Q1 2022.

Mercedes-Benz hasn’t disclosed the EQA’s Q2 2023 sales figure. However, it did mention in an announcement on July 2023 that compared to Q2 2022 (7,000 units), it was 73% higher. Thus, we expect it to be around 12,100 units, which would mean it shipped approximately 23,000 units in total during the first half of the year.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Mercedes EQA packs subtle design changes, efficiency improvements, an enhanced MBUX infotainment system with newer features, among other tweaks to make it all the more appealing. However, if you dislike the existing SUV, there’s a good chance the refreshed EV won’t impress you either, as, overall, the revisions are incremental rather than comprehensive.

2024 Mercedes EQA FAQs

Featured Image source: Mercedes-Benz Group