Mercedes

EQC

Based on the GLC SUV platform, the Mercedes EQC is a premium EV launched to compete against other big hitters from the likes of Audi and Jaguar. Apart from its dynamic styling and impressive handling, the vehicle boasts a range of 259 between charges.

The good

Styling, handling and range

The bad

Price - ouch!

Tech Specs

Price from

£65,720

Combined Fuel up to

Range 255 miles

0-62 from

5.1 seconds

max speed up to

111mph

co2 from

0g/km

Test Drive

Mercedes EQC 400 AMG Line 4MATIC Premium Plus (2021)

EQ is the Mercedes sub-brand created for its fully electrified models and the EQC SUV-styled car was the company’s first dedicated EV.

With a choice of trim levels and impressive driving range, the vehicle has the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-tron in its sights, and it certainly lives up to all the hype.

We tested the high-end EQC 400 AMG Line 4MATIC Premium Plus version, costing £74,610 (£77,200 with options) that boasts dynamic styling and performance to match.

It’s a hefty car weighing in at 2.5 tonnes and is powered by an 80kWh lithium-ion battery along with compact electric drivetrains on each axle to deliver a combined output of 408hp and 760Nm of torque.

When it comes to performance, the EQC can sprint to 62mph from a standstill in just 5.1 seconds and maxes out at 111mph. And with a driving range of up to 255 miles between charges, range anxiety should never be an issue.

The five-door EQC is quite the head-turner with design cues based heavily on the Mercedes GLC. But it does boast its very own identity with a new look front grille which was black on the test car. There are freshly designed light clusters, lots of blue accents to help the car stand out as an EV, plus a tapering roofline and some EQC badging. Finally, the 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels complete the sporty appearance.

Moving inside, the interior oozes Mercedes style and craftsmanship throughout with the finest leather upholstery, ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours, a soft-touch leather-look dashboard and a sunroof.

Mercedes models these days feature one of the best-looking infotainment set-ups in the business and the EQC is no different. A 10.25-inch MBUX multi-media touchscreen flows beautifully into the 10.25-inch instrument cluster behind the wheel where all manner of relevant data regarding existing driving range, charge status and energy flow are shown.

MBUX is the German car maker’s innovative multi-media system and the test car was packed with on-board technology, including full smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, a navigation system, a Burmester surround sound system with 13 speakers, a head-up display, plus a wireless phone charging pad.

And there is also the ‘Hey Mercedes’ virtual assistant that is voice activated and can help with a number of tasks such as searching for a radio station, accessing phone contacts and adjusting the temperature. To activate the system, simply utter the magic words – Hey Mercedes – and it comes into life.

When it comes to performance, the EQC is deceptively agile for its size and weight, fizzing through the country lanes and effortlessly cruising at 70mph on motorways.

Being an EV, you don’t have to wait for the revs to build, so the acceleration is instant out the starting blocks – albeit silently.

There are drive settings called Comfort, Eco, Max Range, Sport and Individual to alter the reactions of the vehicle, including the steering, acceleration and braking responses.

The EQC has a single-speed automatic transmission. There are paddles on the steering wheel, but they are for adjusting the levels of regeneration, which in its highest setting, can enable single-pedal driving. This is ideal in busy city centres with lots of stop, start traffic.

The car can also smooth out our uneven road surfaces thanks to the Comfort suspension system which includes self-levelling rear air suspension. And special mention to the advanced insulation set-up that helps make the EQC one of the quietest electric cars on our roads today.

Being an SUV, the EQC needs to be a practical option and it is just that. Two adults can sit comfortably in the back – or three if they don’t mind rubbing shoulders. Leg room is good unless the front seats are pushed well back and the headroom is still fine despite the tapering roofline design.

The boot can swallow 500 litres of luggage, a limit that increases to 1,460 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. There are nets and hooks to help secure items and it is accessed via a powered tailgate.

And there are plenty of storage compartments throughout the car too, including a lockable glovebox, seat back pockets, deep door bins, a central cubby box, a wireless charging pad, front and rear cup holders and some trays.

It takes 11 hours from a home wallbox to charge the EQC from 10 to 100 per cent, or a 10 to 80 per cent charge can be achieved in 40 minutes from a fast charger.

The EQC received a maximum five stars for safety when tested for its Euro NCAP rating and our car featured a whole host of safety kit, along with an optional Driving Assistance package that was priced at £1,695. This introduced Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Blind Spot Assist with Exit warning, Active Steering Assist, pedestrian warning function near pedestrian crossings, Active Brake Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Pre-Safe Plus.

All in all, the EQC is a very accomplished EV that delivers on performance, styling, on-board tech, practicality and driving range. Quite the all-rounder then.

Test Drive

Mercedes EQC 400 4 MATIC AMG Line Premium Plus

Mercedes has launched its very own fully-electric luxury SUV to challenge the likes of the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace and it’s pretty impressive.

Called the EQC, the vehicle is built on the same platform as the stylish GLC. It offers five-seat practicality, four-wheel drive plus the choice of well-equipped trim levels.

But one figure that will stop any doubters in their tracks is the EV range of up to 259 miles between charges and that figure certainly dispels any fears of range anxiety.

Customers can choose from four generously-equipped trim levels called Sport, AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus. In addition, there are two limited run versions called Edition 1 and Edition 1886.

We opted for the Mercedes EQC in AMG Line Premium Plus grade costing £74,530, excluding the Government plug-in grant. But as is the way with most premium car makers, the vehicle’s final price-tag crept up to £77,120 thanks to the addition of a number of optional extras.

From a design point of view, the EQC looks muscular and athletic from any approach and although it resembles the GLC in many ways, it still has its own distinctive styling. There is a new grille and the tapered roofline is also EQC-specific, plus there are new rear lights. The car also features lots of blue accents as an indication that it is an EV, along with some bespoke EQC badging and truly stunning alloy wheels.

Move inside and the interior is very classy  with exceptionally high comfort levels. The car boasts fine leather upholstery and powered seats that can also be heated, along with lots of soft-touch surfaces plus distinctive copper-coloured air vents that look really eye-catching.

The car features a 10.25-inch MBUX multi-media touchscreen that flows beautifully into the instrument cluster behind a glass panel. MBUX is Mercedes’ innovative multi-media system with the ‘Hey Mercedes’ virtual assistant that is voice activated and can help with all manner of requests, including finding a particular radio station, accessing the phone book, adjusting the temperature and lots more. It is brought into life by simply saying the magic words: “Hey Mercedes”.

Techno treats are plentiful too and include a Burmester surround sound system with 13 speakers, full smartphone integration, sat nav, wireless phone charging and a head-up display.

The EQC has an 80kWh lithium-ion battery and there is a compact electric drivetrain on each axle with a combined output of 408hp and 765Nm of torque. When it comes to performance, the EQC can power its way from 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds and onto a top speed of 111mph.

With its all-electric power, the acceleration is instant although pulling away in absolute silence still takes some getting used to. The driver can flick through five driving programmes called Comfort, Eco, Max Range, Sport and Individual that alter the manner in which the EQC reacts. While the Comfort mode is ideal for most day-to-day driving, it’s worth experimenting with the Sport setting which really sharpens up the responses.

Out on the country lanes, the road holding is assured and body sway is kept to a minimum so long as sharp bends are treated with a degree of respect. There is a constant stream of power on tap and the EQC can easily overtake slower-moving vehicles thanks to sharp bursts of pace.

It’s also nicely at ease on motorways where it cruises effortlessly at 70mph, but keep a watchful eye on the speedo as it can easily creep up without any strain. There is also lots of EV data to digest with information about charge levels, range and power distribution , etc.

The automatic transmission has just one single speed but there are steering wheel mounted paddles that are used to help regenerate the battery charge with five settings to choose from.

Just like the GLC, the EQC is a practical car with ample space for five adults and all their luggage. The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and can accommodate 500 litres of kit – a limit that increases to 1,060 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat at the press of a button.

And as one would expect, the EQC is packed with safety systems and driver aids to help protect occupants and pedestrians as well as prevent accidents happening in the first place.

All in all, the EQC is a beautifully crafted EV that offers SUV practicality, excellent driving dynamics, a wealth of on-board technology, impressive range and is even good for the planet. What’s not to like!