Mercedes-Benz EQA review

For the dash and controls, there's not much to add to what we've said before about the various small Mercedes. The design is pretty wow, materials are plush and the night-time illumination jazzy.

The screens dominate, especially as every EQA has the full-sized pair. The former and useful control touchpad between the front seats has gone now, so you’re either swiping and prodding the screen (which is nicely responsive) or talking to the car. That's embarrassing if you have passengers. And you lose the plot – literally – if listening to talk radio.

Lots of electric-specific display options show you where your energy has gone, and hint at how to use it more efficiently.

The petrol GLA is a surprisingly roomy small crossover. The electric EQA isn't, at least not in the back. The rear seat base is flat but the floor is high, pushed up by the battery. So your knees are unsupported and there's nowhere for your feet unless the front seats are raised.

The boot is shallow-ish too, and there’s only 340 litres under the parcel shelf. A recess under its floor takes the charging cables. There's no frunk for them.