Mercedes EQA Review

Pricing

It may be small, and based upon a sensible little crossover, but the EQA is fairly pricey. It’ll be tough to buy one below £50,000 if you want the active safety kit, and it's frustrating that you have to go for the top-spec car to get the panoramic roof; it's not even an option on the lesser trims. Monthly PCP costs and leasing costs kick off around £450-500 per month, depending on the terms you're looking for. 

There are four trim levels; Sport Executive only comes with the entry-level 250+ powertrain, but also gets standard metallic paint, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, leatherette upholstery and adjustable lumbar support for the driver, not to mention all the safety and infotainment features that we've already mentioned. AMG Line Executive is really just a style upgrade and a way into the more powerful, four-wheel drive models, while AMG Line Premium gets a big jump in kit including 20-inch wheels, augmented reality navigation, 360-degree parking camera, keyless entry, a 10-speaker sound system and brushed aluminium interior trim. AMG Line Premium Plus gets all the bells and whistles, including a head-up display and panoramic glass roof, but annoyingly it also comes with upgraded suspension and steering that you're best off avoiding, plus it's pricey. We'd go for AMG Line Executive or Premium. 

Running costs

Its running costs are right on par with the posh electric SUV norm. A full charge at home, owing to its reasonably big battery, are approaching £20. But it’s roughly half the cost of filling a diesel SUV up to cover a distance similar to the 200 to 250 miles of range you ought to get from a fully charged EQA. Its battery and overall vehicle warranty are right on par for the class too, albeit lagging behind the behemoth cover you’ll get with a Hyundai or Kia. The insurance groupings are high to reflect the premium brand you’re buying into.

Insurance

The EQA falls into insurance groups 39- to 45, depending on which trim you go for. That's consistent with what you'll pay for other high-end electric cars costing this sort of money - the Tesla Model Y will be more expensive, for instance, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a bit cheaper. It's always worth getting a personalised insurance quote before you commit to any car.

Servicing

As with most modern cars, the EQA will tell you when it needs attention - and that timeframe may vary depending on how you use the car. Expect it to need a service every 12- to 18 months, or 15,000. Mercedes servicing isn't cheap on a walk-in basis, so if you're buying new you're better off going for a fixed price plan and spreading the cost.