Alan drives an EQA 350 4MATIC AMG Line Executive 66.5kWh 2024.

This is Alan’s first EV and he’s owned the EQA between 1-2 years. He drives 5,000-10,000 miles annually and the current mileage of the car is between 15,000-20,000 miles. He achieves 260 miles range from an 80% charge.

Why did you choose the Mercedes-Benz EQA AMG Line?

I chose the Mercedes-Benz EQA 350 4MATIC because it offered the right balance of premium quality, comfort, technology and performance. Although it’s my first EV, it’s actually my third Mercedes, so I was already familiar with the brand and its build quality. The smooth, quiet drive, strong performance and excellent driver assistance systems were all major factors in my decision, and the car has fitted very well into everyday life.

Positives 

What I love most is how relaxing and effortless the EQA is to drive. The instant response, quiet cabin and smooth ride make every journey enjoyable, whether it’s a short local trip or a longer drive. I also particularly appreciate the driver assistance systems, which help reduce fatigue on longer journeys. Despite being my first EV, the transition has been remarkably easy, and the car still feels as special to drive as the day I collected it.

Negatives

Overall, I’ve been very pleased with the car, but like many EVs, real-world range can vary quite significantly depending on weather, speed and driving conditions. The boot space is also a little smaller than some similarly sized SUVs due to the battery packaging. Other than that, I haven’t experienced any major frustrations, and the positives comfortably outweigh the negatives for me.

Compared to when you first bought the car, does your battery still charge at the same rate & do you still get the same range?

I’ve seen no degradation in either range or charging speeds since new. The car still feels as fresh and refined as the day I collected it, and the battery performance has remained very consistent. That’s been one of the pleasant surprises of EV ownership.

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

The only fault I’ve experienced was a minor issue with the opening and closing of the powered tailgate. This was handled quickly and professionally by my Mercedes-Benz dealer and was resolved to my satisfaction. Apart from that, the car has been reliable and trouble-free.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

The most impressive technology features are the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and active safety systems make longer journeys more relaxing and help reduce driver fatigue. I also find the Mercedes MBUX infotainment system excellent to use, with clear displays, voice control and seamless smartphone integration. As an EV owner, I also appreciate the ability to monitor charging, vehicle status and range remotely through the Mercedes app. Together, these features make the car feel both modern and easy to live with.

Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about your EQA 

One feature I’ve really come to appreciate as an owner is the combination of the intelligent adaptive cruise control and the ability to pre-condition the cabin through the Mercedes app. The adaptive cruise control makes motorway and heavy traffic driving far less tiring by smoothly maintaining speed and distance from vehicles ahead, while the app allows me to warm or cool the cabin before I set off. Neither feature is something that necessarily stands out on a short test drive, but in everyday use they make the car much more relaxing and enjoyable to live with. They’re the sort of features you quickly get used to and would genuinely miss if they weren’t there.

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

Mercedes CLA or C Class. Also, I love the BMW iX3 my neighbour has just had.

Electricity supplier & tariff 

British Gas EV Power Jan-27 v2 – I really don’t like the way standing charge and peak rate tariffs rise at the expense of lower off-peak rates…

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

My best public charging experiences have generally been with the larger, well-established rapid charging networks, where chargers have been easy to locate, reliable and straightforward to use. The ability to simply plug in and charge with minimal fuss makes a huge difference when travelling longer distances.

My worst experiences have involved arriving at a charger only to find it out of service or already occupied, which can be frustrating when you’re relying on it. I would also say that the cost of rapid public charging in the UK can be surprisingly high, with some networks charging rates that make public charging significantly more expensive than charging at home. Fortunately, these occasions have been relatively rare, and overall public charging has been more reliable than I expected when I first moved to an EV.

Insurance

Aviva – I have been very happy with both the cover and the premium. One of the standout benefits is the reassurance of comprehensive cover and access to approved repairers if needed. Before switching, I was insured with Churchill, but my renewal quote increased by around 40% despite having made no claims, which I found difficult to justify.

Aviva provided a much more competitive quote for equivalent cover. The main downside isn’t specific to either insurer, but the fact that insurance costs generally seem to have risen significantly in recent years. Fortunately, I haven’t needed to make a claim, so my experience has been positive overall.

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running an EQA AMG Line

Compared to my previous petrol and diesel vehicles, the biggest saving has been fuel costs, particularly as most of my charging is done at home. Day-to-day running costs are noticeably lower, and I also appreciate the reduced maintenance requirements of an EV, with no oil changes or many of the traditional servicing items associated with combustion-engine vehicles.

However, not everything is cheaper. Public rapid charging can be surprisingly expensive in the UK, and insurance premiums have increased significantly in recent years regardless of vehicle type. Overall, though, my EQA has been cheaper to run than my previous cars, especially when charging at home, and the driving experience is a significant improvement.

See other Mercedes EV Owner Reviews HERE