Mercedes-Benz EQC assessment – 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 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 effectively and has severe highway presence. Inside, it’s a cultured mix of expertise, consolation, area and glorious construct high quality.

The EQC’s 80kWh battery pack sits within the ground, whereas two electrical motors are positioned on every axle, enabling four-wheel-drive.

Producing a considerable 402bhp and 560lb ft (760Nm) of torque, it will possibly dash from 0-62mph in simply 5.1 seconds, and on to a high velocity of 112mph.

Claimed vary is as much as 254 miles, which is common as of late, 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’s going to 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 anticipate from an enormous SUV, whereas the newest MBUX infotainment and driver data system (which stretches throughout many of the dashboard) is a selected inside spotlight.

The MBUX’s social gathering piece is the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice-control characteristic which, for essentially the most half, understands instructions mentioned 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 area within the cabin too, although taller rear passengers may wrestle for headroom, due to that elegant roofline. It also needs to be famous that it is a five-seater – you’ll should 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 accomplished a positive job of masking the EQC’s 2.5-tonne weight and it’s solely while you push on in sooner, twisty roads that you simply realise that discretion is the higher a part of valour.

In its ingredient on motorways and quick A-roads, the place it’s an easy, refined and relaxed cruiser, there’s additionally loads of punch in reserve must you want it.

The steering is mild and exact, particularly round city, plus there’s ample grip from these big wheels (20 or 21 inches, relying on the trim stage).

The trip is great, and for essentially 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, however it comes at a value. 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 provide it its full title, our take a look at automobile was an EQC 400 4MATIC AMG Line.

And as you’d anticipate from a automobile on this value vary, the EQC is without doubt one of the most secure autos on the highway, attaining a most five-star Euro NCAP ranking. A full suite of security and driver help techniques 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 undoubtedly be in your shortlist in the event you’re in search of a premium zero emissions SUV. It might not have class-leading dynamics or vary, however it’s quick, secure, spacious, comfy, loaded with tech and oozes class.