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Mercedes-Benz EQA vs VW ID.3 (2020-2023)
Selected trim250 · 2021-22Change trim263 mi · 66.5 kWh · £43,495
Selected trimPure Performance 45 kWh · 2021-22Change trim216 mi · 45 kWh · £29,635
At a glance
The VW ID.3 was replaced by the VW ID.3 Neo in 2026. Compare the Mercedes-Benz EQA with the VW ID.3 Neo
In this comparison, Mercedes-Benz EQA stays competitive across the board, while the VW ID.3 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the VW ID.3 (2020-2023) if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.1p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.3 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueVW
Mercedes-Benz
4.8
VW
6.1
Motorway Range
Mercedes-Benz
4.1
VW
3.8
Too close to call
FamilyVW
Mercedes-Benz
5.6
VW
7.4
ChargingVW
Mercedes-Benz
2.5
VW
5.2
Cost Per MileVW
Mercedes-Benz
4.5
VW
5.8
City DrivingVW
Mercedes-Benz
5.1
VW
8.2
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
250
- 47 miles more WLTP range
- 30 kW more power
- 0.8s quicker 0-62 mph
- 750 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz EQA250 | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £43,495 | £29,635 (better) |
| Official range | 263 miles (better) | 216 miles |
| Boot space | 340 L | 385 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.1 sec (better) | 8.9 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
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Mercedes-Benz EQA
VW ID.3
Length
Mercedes-Benz EQA4,463mm
VW ID.34,261mm-202mm
Width
Mercedes-Benz EQA1,834mm
VW ID.31,809mm-25mm
Height
Mercedes-Benz EQA1,620mm
VW ID.31,568mm-52mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz EQA250 | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,463 mm | 4,261 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,834 mm | 1,809 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,020 mm | 2,015 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,568 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.4 m | 10.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 566 mm spare | 591 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz EQA250 | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 340 L | 385 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1320 L (better) | 1267 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 750 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
VW ID.3
- Peak DC charging of 110 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- 2,770 mm wheelbase, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 |  VW ID.3 Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.46m | 4.26m-202mm |
| Width | 1.83m | 1.81m-25mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | 2.02m-5mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.57m-52mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.73m | 2.77m+41mm |
| Ground Clearance | 168mm | 150mm-18mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 340L | 385L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1320L (better) | 1267L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.4m | 10.2m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,040kg | 1,781kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 750kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 66.5kWh (better) | 45kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 263 mi (better) | 216 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 100kW | 110kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £43,495 | £29,635 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2021–2022 | 2021–2022 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz EQA250 | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 263 miles (better) | 216 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 219 miles (better) | 155 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 100 kW | 110 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 66.5 kWh (better) | 45 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz EQA250 | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.1 sec (better) | 8.9 sec |
| Power | 140 kW (better) | 110 kW |
| Torque | 375 Nm (better) | 310 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
250
VW ID.3
Pure Performance 45 kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz EQA250 | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £16,278 | £11,496 |
| Average used price | £18,653 | £12,994 |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Mercedes-Benz EQA 250
Tested 2019
Adult Occupant97%
Child Occupant90%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist75%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - VW ID.3 Pure Performance 45 kWh
Tested 2020
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist88%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Mercedes-Benz EQA250 | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | 160,934 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
250
Owners love
- Owners consistently praise the build quality, quietness and comfort, with very comfortable front seats.
- Real-world range is close to or above the official figure in summer for many owners, with around 3.5 to 4.5 miles per kWh reported.
- Rapid charging holds a high rate for much of the charge, so stops are quick by the standards of its size.
Watch out for
- The car has no built-in charge scheduling, so owners rely on a smart home charger or tariff app for cheap night rates.
- Winter range drops to roughly 200 miles or less, and the range display can be inaccurate.
- The boot is small and rear legroom is tight for tall passengers because of the raised floor.
Owner tips
- Use a smart home charger or tariff app to time charging, as the car cannot.
- Use the D Auto regeneration setting for the best efficiency.
VW ID.3
Pure Performance 45 kWh
Owners love
- Owners find it roomy for its size, with a practical hatchback boot and a cabin that feels bigger than the Golf-sized body suggests
- The 3.x software updates are widely reported to have improved the infotainment, charging speed and efficiency on early cars
- Comfortable and quiet on long trips, with efficient cruising and dependable rapid charging on motorway routes
Watch out for
- Early software was slow and glitchy, and owners describe long waits for dealer-installed updates, a few of which failed part-way
- The infotainment and touch-slider controls for volume and temperature remain the most common day-to-day complaint
- Driver aids draw complaints: lane assist is hard to switch off, and speed-limit recognition and adaptive cruise can react to the wrong limit
Owner tips
- Check the software version on the infotainment screen and ask whether the 3.x updates have been done
- Ask for evidence of any battery module work and check the car's battery health with a scan before buying
Buying options
Get a quote
Mercedes-Benz EQA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
- £16,6992022Car360View
VW ID.3
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz EQA worth the extra £13,860 over the VW ID.3?
The Mercedes-Benz EQA costs £13,860 more than the VW ID.3. For that premium it adds 47 miles more WLTP range, 30 kW more power and a 0.8s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Mercedes-Benz EQA or the VW ID.3?
The VW ID.3 is £13,860 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £168 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW ID.3 comes out roughly £13,900 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Mercedes-Benz EQA and VW ID.3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 219 miles for the Mercedes-Benz EQA and 155 miles for the VW ID.3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Mercedes-Benz EQA goes roughly 64 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Mercedes-Benz EQA or the VW ID.3?
The two are within 25 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3 and about 566 mm of total clearance for the Mercedes-Benz EQA. The VW ID.3 also turns in a 1.2 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Mercedes-Benz EQA or the VW ID.3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Mercedes-Benz EQA and 87% for the VW ID.3. That gives the VW ID.3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Mercedes-Benz EQA comparisons
More VW ID.3 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Mercedes-Benz EQA and VW ID.3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz EQA and VW ID.3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz EQA and VW ID.3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Mercedes-Benz EQA and VW ID.3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Mercedes-Benz EQA and VW ID.3 rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Mercedes-Benz EQA and VW ID.3 rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideUsed Mercedes-Benz EQA buyer's guide (2021-on)
Buying a used Mercedes-Benz EQA: the 250, 250+ and 4MATIC versions, realistic range, the software recalls, what owners report and what to pay in 2026.
GuideBuying a Used VW ID.3 (2020-2023): Which Version, Software, Battery Warranty & What to Pay
A used Volkswagen ID.3 buyer’s guide: Pure Performance, Pro, Pro Performance and Pro S explained, why the software version matters, the 8-year battery warranty, real-world range, recalls including the 2026 battery check, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .