Mercedes-Benz EQA review

The base spec is pretentiously titled Sport Executive, which squeaks in just under £50,000. It isn't bad provided you can stomach the little wheels, which help net the 342 mile WLTP range. You get the full double-screen system, LED lights outside and ambient within, and connected services. But you can't have that base trim on the 4Matic versions.

AMG Line Executive is a £2,260 cosmetics pack, adding nicer seats, 19-inch wheels and a subtle body kit. But it's also the entry ticket to the two higher packs. Premium (£3,000) gets keyless entry, a better stereo and the slightly fussy AR navigation system.

For another £3k there's Premium Plus which adds 20s, adaptive dampers, Burmester stereo (not as awesome as on the bigger Benzes, unfortunately), electric seats, head-up display and a glass roof. That all knocks about 10 miles off the range. So the test car was £58,010.

Safety is usually first at Mercedes. But the driving assist pack - which includes more active systems, and adaptive cruise - is £1,495 extra. Luckily you can have it on the base model and we would.

In the upper three trims, the 300 4Matic is only another £1,000, but while you might gain a motor you lose battery size and range. The 350 4Matic is another £1,500.

Talk efficiency and charging to me.

Efficiency isn't awful. On a non-motorway test drive we got 3.4mi/kWh out of the 250+ on big wheels, which means 240 miles. We had a long-term test one and stabilised at 3.5mi/kWh.

For long journeys, you need good fast charging. The EQA's headline figure of 100kW is surpassed by rivals, but in our experience this turns out to be a sustained draw and not a brief peak. So getting 10-80 per cent in roughly half an hour is realistic even in cold weather.

The on-board charger can take 11kW AC but that's three-phase, which you probably won't have at home. Still, a public post of that power will charge it flat to full in about seven hours.

Mercedes has a consolidated electric billing system that gives you access to several public networks with one RFID card or app. It includes BP Pulse and Ionity. For the first year you get access to a subscription tier that cuts unit cost.

The battery is guaranteed for eight years and 100,000 miles. The rest of the car gets three years unlimited. And like all Mercedes, 30 years breakdown recovery, with inevitable small print.