I have to say that I think your reviews are one of the best, clear concise, balanced and very well articulated. I also like that you clearly mention alternative options and are prepared to make it clear what is good and what could be done better. A very good point you make on the switches on the steering wheel of the Merc. Many thanks for sharing. Out of the two cars reviewed here? Well I'd have to take them both for a test as it seems a little close for me to call without experiencing them 1st hand..
I have an A250e saloon and love it. The saloon has a bigger boot than the hatch. Once you understand how to drive it and allow for the extra weight you are hauling you will be fine. After 5 months I'm getting an average 80mpg, a bit more on a long run. Yes the brakes can be a bit grabby but again its all about understanding how to drive it. The regen is amazing, programme the sat nav and the car handles battery use. 200 mile run and still battery life at the end. Great car.
Out of interest, if you didn't have access to home charging, would you still get the A250e? I'm very tempted due to the tax benefits on my company scheme, but I don't have off street parking.
Excellent video as always. Re lack of boot space: if you are able to use a PHEV as they are designed for (low mileage each day) the you won't need any of your cables in the car IF you are able to charge at home.
*Quite agree with all your comments, a few years ago did consider buying an EV as were stated to be the best thing since **_sliced bread_** however now so glad I opted instead to get a Mercedes (W247) B200 CDi AMG 8 Speed [Diesel] with 81 miles on the clock (ex Demo) with all the latest tricks etc - and got a massive discount of nearly £10k from list price. This has absolutely amazed me, so so quiet, incredible range and over 35 mile journey (A6/A46) to Newark in Eco Mode [Freewheels when lifting throttle] did nearly 90 mpg - hit traffic near end. This car will no doubt still be running in 20 years time and still giving good sensible practical use. I don't make many journeys outside most EV's Range, but during summertime take generally a trip every week of between 150-300 miles Cotswolds, Wales or Cromer - I start to RangeAnxiety when see only have 60 Miles left in tank and warning light comes on !*
You night find an A3 used, but if your considering purchasing one brand new, don't bother. Ordered an A3 hybrid in Jan of 2022, told July of 2022 delivery, then moved to Sept of 22, then moved delivery date to Jan 2023, and in December moved delivery Date to Apr 2023 and today the date was moved again to August of 2023 and possibly longer. 20 months to get an audi A3 and possibly longer!
Ordered the Audi A3 40 TFSIe S-line in January of 2022 as a new company car, its been delayed a number of times, originally told delivery of July 2022 that came and went, then Sept 22 was cancelled. Moved the delivery date to January of 2023 and then to April/May+ of 2023 with no date for production and now someone has just mentioned February of 2024 is possibility at the earliest. That will be 25 months if it now sticks to the delivery date. As I have picked as a company car I'm being told we are unable to cancel it due to contracts. My current company lease car is heavily used and is starting to become unreliable. In for a interesting time for the foreseeable future. But 25 months and possibly longer is a joke to get a car from Audi, I know the world's in a state with the after effects of Covid-19 and now the Ukrainian war. But surely car manufacturers can't stay in business if they are unable to supply new cars.
where do you live? Ordered mine as company car in april last year, first date was june 2023 but suddenly in november I got an email that the car was waiting for me...
12:39 - have looked for the real world MPG (non battery) figure everywhere and I think this perhaps along with another comment confirms circa 50, which is far better than some of the previous Audi petrols.
You did a really good job comparing these cars. I have the Merc (top spec). The engine in mine is a little tied abd I prefer driving it in electric mode. I always liked the Audi but 13kw battery with a slower charger is a deal breaker.
Now Vicki if I was after a mild plug in hybrid I'd be looking at say a Ford Puma as they cost less and because I am running a Ford as is, I should be able to get a good deal thru Ford Management. Both of these are way too highly costed for my simple needs.
As tax dodges, these are reasonably effective. A friend got rid of his C Class diesel for the A250e. Rapid in a straight line, but pretty rubbish elsewhere. It lumbers around and can't control it's mass in the corners so he has to wait for the whole thing to settle before booting it. I could never keep up when he had the C (leave alone the 330d - what a machine that was), but in the A, he slows me down. Also, it's not particularly comfortable (in the back) and the dash is an distracting mess of hyperactive pixels. If you're gonna have something small, impractical, fast, not especially comfortable, but actually takes corners properly, get a GR Yaris for the same price and have some fun. Or a C Class.
Sorry but the Audi is a plastic fest and embarrassing in its material choices for a prem car. Look closer. The Mercedes I didnt see from inside yet, but cant imagine it is that bad.
@@andrecardoso6941 I agree with you withdraw my old opinion. I bought the Audi A3 after all and saw the Mercedes inside. Its the opposite. Mercedes feels lower quality, Audi quite solid. Yes it has plastc at the doors, but overall quite good
