Mercedes-Benz EQC evaluate – Automotive Weblog
We get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz EQC – the EV model of the mighty GLC…
The EQC was the primary all-electric mannequin idn poker online from Mercedes-Benz when it was launched in 2019, and its upmarket rivals embody the BMW iX3, Audi Q8 e-tron, Jaguar I-Tempo, Tesla Mannequin X and Genesis GV70.
Good-looking and well-proportioned, it has aged properly and has critical highway presence. Inside, it’s a cultured mix of expertise, consolation, house and glorious construct high quality.
The EQC’s 80kWh battery pack sits within the flooring, whereas two electrical motors are positioned on every axle, enabling four-wheel-drive.
Producing a considerable 402bhp and 560lb ft (760Nm) of torque, it could possibly dash from 0-62mph in simply 5.1 seconds, and on to a high pace of 112mph.
Claimed vary is as much as 254 miles, which is common nowadays, and nearer to 200 miles in real-world driving.
The EQC has a most 110kW charging functionality, that means a lift from 10-80% can take 40 minutes. Naturally, it’ll additionally cost in a single day utilizing a 7kW wallbox.
To place that into context – cheaper, newer rivals such because the Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60 have a cost price of as much as 350kW – that’s 10-80% in simply 18 minutes.
Naturally, there’s the commanding view of the highway you’d count on from a giant SUV, whereas the newest MBUX infotainment and driver info system (which stretches throughout a lot of the dashboard) is a specific inside spotlight.
The MBUX’s get together piece is the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice-control function which, for probably the most half, understands instructions stated in plain English.
And fortunately, there are nonetheless loads of switches and buttons unfold round so not all performance is managed through the touchscreen.
There’s an honest quantity of house within the cabin too, although taller rear passengers would possibly wrestle for headroom, due to that elegant roofline. It also needs to be famous that this can be a five-seater – you’ll need to go for an EQB in order for you three rows.
Boot capability is a helpful 500 litres, increasing to 1,460 litres with the 40/20/40-split again seats folded.
On the highway, Mercedes-Benz has performed a wonderful job of masking the EQC’s 2.5-tonne weight and it’s solely once you push on in quicker, twisty roads that you just realise that discretion is the higher a part of valour.
In its ingredient on motorways and quick A-roads, the place it’s a simple, refined and relaxed cruiser, there’s additionally loads of punch in reserve do you have to want it.
The steering is gentle and exact, particularly round city, plus there’s ample grip from these enormous wheels (20 or 21 inches, relying on the trim stage).
The journey is great, and for probably the most half it glides over poorer highway surfaces, solely coming unstuck over sleeping policeman and steep driveways, as an illustration, the place the low entrance air dam rubber flaps scrape except you’re additional cautious.
So, the EQC is a powerful EV, nevertheless it comes at a worth. The entry-level AMG Line begins at £74,330, the AMG Line Premium is £78,975, whereas the range-topping AMG Line is priced from £81,225. To present it its full title, our check automotive was an EQC 400 4MATIC AMG Line.
And as you’d count on from a automotive on this worth vary, the EQC is likely one of the most secure automobiles on the highway, reaching a most five-star Euro NCAP score. A full suite of security and driver help methods can be found, with parking sensors, a reversing digicam, blind-spot alert, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning and LED headlights as commonplace.
Verdict: The Mercedes-Benz EQC ought to positively be in your shortlist in the event you’re searching for a premium zero emissions SUV. It might not have class-leading dynamics or vary, nevertheless it’s quick, protected, spacious, snug, loaded with tech and oozes class.
