Most high-end manufacturers now offer an all-electric SUV, and the Mercedes EQC is the mid-size offering of the German brand. It’s also the company’s first mainstream EV, offering impressive refinement and comfort befitting the brand’s luxury reputation. It certainly doesn’t come cheap, but there’s enough technology and toolkit to help justify the EQC’s price tag.
Interior space is a bit of a compromise when compared to rivals, and the EQC’s considerable weight detracts from the driving experience. Still, the speed is super fast, the straight lines are sure to put a smile on your face, and the usable electric range is good enough for us to recommend the car.
The Mercedes EQC is based on the Concept EQ, first shown at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The SUV is the manufacturer’s first all-electric production vehicle and begins the shift away from the internal combustion engine and towards a more compact vehicle. series of greener, cleaner car models.
It may seem a bit strange that Mercedes started its electric revolution by introducing a large, heavy SUV, but it has a host of new battery-powered models coming out over the next few years and it takes time. to build profitable economies of scale with its smaller models. SUVs are generally also suitable for electric powertrains, thanks to their tall form which leaves space in the floor area for the battery.
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Instead of designing a custom EV platform, Mercedes based the EQC on the architecture used on the GLC model. Its Audi e-tron Rivals also share parts with Q5 and Q7 siblings, but other competitors, such as Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X has been designed from the ground up on a new foundation, providing the flexibility to maximize interior space and reduce overall weight.
Power for the five-door EQC comes from an 80kWh battery, with an electric motor in each axis. This setup yields a total useful power of 403bhp, but more significantly there’s an enormous 760Nm of torque available immediately from the first press of the accelerator. Of course, being an electric vehicle, the EQC operates a single-speed automatic transmission. up to 255 miles on a single charge.
Prices start from just over £70,000 for the entry-level Sport version, with the range building through the AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and Premium Plus trim lines. All vehicles are well equipped, especially with the inclusion of active safety systems like Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Departure Warning.
For an alternative review of the Mercedes EQC, visit our sister site electronic drive.com
