The 2022 EQA is Mercedes' all-electric SUV for compact segment buyers. The newest Mercedes-EQ vehicle, the 2022 EQA, is coming soon and will compete directly with the Tesla Model Y.

One of Mercedes-Benz's strengths is its wide choice of vehicles. It is therefore not surprising that Mercedes' new electric vehicle sub-brand, Mercedes-EQ, is expanding its vehicle lineup. It already has two luxury sedans, the EQB and EQS. The newest addition to that lineup is the 2022 EQA, which will fit under the larger EQB as a competitor to the Audi Q4 e-tron.

There is good news and bad news regarding the launch of the EQA. The good news is that it was introduced to European dealers earlier this spring. According to the Mercedes-Benz UK website, the EQA starts at £44,495. Given the current exchange rate, that equates to roughly $62,026. According to our sister site Techradar, the top-of-the-line EQA 350 AMG Line costs £49,995, or roughly $70,000.

Here's the bad news: the EQA is not available in the US. However, there is a silver lining: according to Car and Driver, Mercedes is considering bringing the EQA to the US. If that were to happen, the magazine estimates that the EQA would have an MSRP of approximately $57,000. Keep in mind that with available federal and state tax credits, that starting price could be considerably lower.

As its name suggests, the EQA can be thought of as an electric version of the GLA compact SUV. Its basic appearance and rough dimensions are the same as its internal combustion engine sibling, but it features design changes in key areas to differentiate the two models. The formerly open space behind the one-bar grille and Mercedes star emblem is now filled with solid black panels. Above that is a strip of fiber optics connecting the daytime running lights, while blue highlights inside the LED headlight casings suggest that the EQA is no ordinary gasoline-powered Mercedes. At the rear gate, a light bar extends from end to end, connecting the taillights in a continuous strip of illumination.

If these changes are not distinctive enough, the EQA wheels leave no doubt about their identity: they are available in two- and three-tone finishes and range up to 20 inches in diameter. Some styles come with rose gold or blue accents.

EQA's interior conveys a more subtle message. Depending on the configuration, the EQA keys, air conditioning vents, and seats are trimmed in rose gold, while the instrument panel and infotainment screen are highlighted in blue and rose gold. In the launch year Edition 1, the seats are perforated, exposing the blue fabric underneath.

The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system handles all infotainment functions and requests. Navigation with Electric Intelligence provides the fastest route to a specific destination, taking into account traffic conditions and changes in driving style, as well as stops needed to recharge the battery.

Active Lane Keep Assist and Active Brake Assist are standard on all EQA models. Mercedes offers a Driving Assistance Package with a variety of alerting features. For example, it warns of approaching pedestrians and bicyclists when doors are opened. If EQA were to be introduced in the U.S., it might offer something like the GLA's driver assistance package.

The entry-level EQA 250 is powered by an electric motor and a 66.5 kWh battery pack. Output is 187 hp and 277 lb-ft, which the EQA 250 supplies to the front wheels. Charging the battery from 10% to 80% takes only 30 minutes with a 400-volt DC fast charger.

Mercedes has crunched the numbers and determined that the EQA 250 can cover approximately 300 miles in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test. If Mercedes decides to sell this EQA in the U.S., expect a different, possibly lower, figure from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EQA is still in its early stages. Mercedes expects to expand the range to include models that offer longer range and models with 268 horsepower and all-wheel drive.

The EQA 250 is more torquey than its gasoline-powered sibling, but still not AMG. It takes 8.9 seconds to 62 mph and hits the electronic wall at 99 mph. Time will tell if models like the EQA will appear in the US.