Mercedes Benz EQC Luxury Electric SUV with Impressive Range

The all-new, all-electric, EQC SUV

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The Total Price is the Starting at price plus estimated taxes and fees once a ZIP code is provided but is subject to change and may vary based on location of the Dealer and customer, inventory levels, vehicle features and available discounts and rebates. Additional products added to your deal will affect the price. The Total Price displayed is an estimate.

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Stated rates of acceleration are estimatedbased upon manufacturer's track results and may vary depending on model, environmental and road surface conditions, driving style, elevation and vehicle load.

EPA estimated fuel economy. Compare the estimated mpg to the estimated mpg of other vehicles. You may get different mileage depending on how fast you drive, weather conditions and trip length. Your actual highway mileage will probably be less than the highway estimate.

With optional trailer hitch. Read Operators Manual before towing. In some states, aftermarket trailer brakes are required. See dealer for details.

EPA estimated driving range with a fully charged battery. Driving range may vary based on model, terrain, temperature, driving style, optional equipment, use ofvehicle features, and other factors.

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Vehicle may not be exactly as shown.

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As a concept car, the designs, features, etc. are subject to change.

The Total Price is the Base Price plus estimated taxes and fees once a ZIP code is provided but is subject to change and may vary based on location of the Dealer and customer, inventory levels, vehicle features and available discounts and rebates. Additional products added to your deal will affect the final price.

The Total Price is the Base Price plus estimated taxes and fees once a ZIP code is provided but is subject to change and may vary based on location of the Dealer and customer, inventory levels, vehicle features and available discounts and rebates. Additional products added to your deal will affect the final price.

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European model shown.

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Driving range may vary based on terrain, temperature, driving style and other factors. Charging times are estimated and may vary by location and equipment. Charging stations must be J1772-compatible. See your dealer for more information.

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Stated rates of acceleration areestimatedbased upon manufacturer's track results and may vary depending on model, environmental and road surface conditions, driving style, elevation and vehicle load.

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System cannot overcome the laws of physics, nor is it a substitute for being attentive to driving, traffic and conditions. Please always wear your seat belt. Performance is limited by available traction, which snow, ice and other conditions can affect. Always drive carefully, consistent with conditions. Best performance in snow is obtained with winter tires.

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While the navigation system provides directional assistance, the driver must remain focused on safe driving behavior, including paying attention to traffic and street signs. Maps do not cover all areas or all routes within an area, may require periodic updating, and may not reflect recent or temporary changes to roadways.

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All Mercedes me services operate only where cellular and GPS signals are available, which are provided by third parties and not within the control of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. Mercedes me connect Assist Services, and 1 year of Mercedes me connect services is Included at no additional charge with new-vehicle sales and leases at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer. Models with COMAND navigation or MB Navigation also include 1 year of map updates (up to twice per year). Subscriber Agreement is required for service to be active. Some services are only available on select vehicles. Your PIN is required to use certain services. Connection may be limited by cellular signal and other factors. Features may be introduced and updated at varying dates, and may also require a vehicle software update. Some services may be limited or restricted in some areas. Driver is responsible for complying with traffic and other laws. See your dealer or MBUSA.com/mercedesme for details.

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Some systems are optional. Even the most advanced safety systems may not be sufficient to avoid an accident. It is the driver's responsibility at all times to be attentive to traffic and road conditions, and to provide the steering, braking and other driving inputs necessary to retain control of the vehicle. Drivers are cautioned not to wait for system alerts before braking or taking evasive action, as that may not afford sufficient time and distance. See Operator's Manual for system operating speeds and additional information and warnings.

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Unsecured cargo can become hazardous in a collision. Always secure cargo using the floor-mounted tie-downs.

Electric SUV megatest: Mercedes EQC vs luxury rivals

3:32, westbound M4, near Swindon: Our little electric caravan is doing just fine, although since it hasnt yet been running for a full hundred miles, so it should be. After a few hours, for photos and a bite of lunch, were on our way west, taking in our first few motorway miles of the trip and homing in on our final destination for the day: the Alveston House Hotel just north of Bristol.

My first few miles of the trip in the Tesla have just been followed by another few miles in the Audi and you couldnt have picked a pair of more different electric operators if you tried. The Model X looks like the rational buy of the group in many ways: biggest battery, best rapid-charging access and room for as many as seven people if you want or need it.

But many of the details of its day-to-day luxury driving experience arent quite up to the level of those of its gathered competitors. Sure, its quick, but its firm riding, too, and quite unsettled on a testing road, with plenty of head toss affecting passengers. The rides a bit noisy as well as unyielding, while the cabin sealing is only okay and so admits more wind noise than any of the other cars here.

The Teslas cabin is one of a few little rattles and squeaks, whereas they are very few in number in the other cars. Its body panels feel relatively tinny and thin, the front doors pinging a bit cheaply as they close. Sure, its big but theres not actually any more space in the first or second rows than youll find in the E-tron.

Mercedes-Benz EQC 2021 long-term test

It took a few weeks for it to sink in, but the realisation clicked when I walked out the door to do the school run, a five-mile-each-way run on sometimes busy roads, one afternoon. As I hurried towards the Mercedes, late again, it dawned on me: I was relishing the opportunity to climb into its luxurious embrace, to glide, gently and silently along, and to just unwind a bit. On those terms, think of the EQC less as an expensive family SUV and more as a cut-price luxury car. Its that special.

Now, you might argue that circumstances played a part in my emotions; weve all been through the mental mill these past months. But it was notable that the warm, fuzzy feeling never diminished and is still going strong as I wave a teary farewell. The combination of the best of electric travel, packaged in an alluring bodystyle and filled with clever tech and luxurious f lourishes, was good for my soul.

I discovered to my surprise, given the paucity of EQCs on the south-west London roads I frequent, yet which seem to carry a disproportionately high number of electric cars a range of EQC-owning Autocar readers, living everywhere from the tip of Scotland to the edges of the south coast, who had pledged their money and wrote to tell me how delighted they were.

Inevitably, though, it wasnt all joy and sunshine. It would be remiss of me not to mention that the vast majority of my travels were short hops, constricted under the circumstances and rarely causing me to pause for thought on range.

However, there were occasional alarm bells, such as the 20-mile winters day run on roads with a top speed of 50mph (so well within the most efficient parameters) that used up more than 70 miles of indicated range, due to our plentiful use of the heated seats and heater systems. Or the 150-mile round trip on a wet and windy day for fish and chips on the Sussex coast (yes, we were desperate for a day out) when the headwind on the way down meant that, despite leaving with 220 miles of range, we restricted ourselves to 60mph just to make sure we could get home without having to stop and go for a quick electron top-up.

As always, its down to fitness of purpose for your needs, but Id suggest the 250-ish real-world miles offered by the Kia e-Niro or Hyundai Kona Electric for nigh-on half the price add a disproportionate amount of extra capability.

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC first drive review: Luxury first, range second

Overall driving range is perhaps the biggest talking point of any new electric car. Yet it won't be the key reason to buy a 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC when it arrives in the US next year.

Instead, Mercedes is focusing on what it does best: making cars that genuinely feel more premium than everything else in the class. Oh, sure, the EQC will still be plenty competitive in terms of its power and range. But what sets it apart from the Jaguars and Teslas of the world is just how lovely it feels from behind the wheel.

Stylish, but not a standout

Like the Audi E-Tron, and with which it'll most closely compete, the Mercedes EQC is a curvaceous SUV that straddles the line between compact and midsize proportions. It rides on the same 113.1-inch wheelbase as the compact GLC-Class crossover, but it's a little longer overall, and doesn't stand quite as tall.

For better or worse, the EQC doesn't immediately stand out as a brand-new or electrified Mercedes-Benz offering. Sure, the fascia is a bit more stylized than the company's other models, and tasteful blue accents in the headlamp housings are a subtle nod to this car's electrified guts. But honestly, if you showed me a picture of the EQC and said, "This is the next-generation ," I'd probably believe you.

The EQC pictured here wears Mercedes' AMG Line exterior, which adds a unique grille and a more heavily sculpted lower fascia. In this guise, it looks even less like an EV, and to my eyes, this treatment is the most appealing. If you're the sort of person who wants an electric vehicle because of the statement it makes on the road, the EQC might not be for you. Personally, I'm glad Mercedes doesn't need to rely on weird styling or gimmicky doors to get its electric message across. But I will say I'm not exactly thrilled that an illuminated version of the company's three-pointed star badge will be standard on every US-spec EQC.

A familiar yet impressive cabin

Inside, you'll see a similar exercise in restraint; the EQC's cabin is almost too familiar. The center console seems to have been ripped right out of the GLC300, with a large flip-up panel in the middle that hides a pair of cup holders. I love the rose-gold accents on the vents -- Mercedes designers say they're supposed to mimic the copper color of the wires found in the battery system -- and the stylized bits of brushed metal on the doors and behind the infotainment screen are really quite beautiful. But for better or worse, no part of the EQC's cabin looks or feels new or innovative.

On the other hand, its interior boasts the same superb quality you'd expect from an SUV with a three-pointed star on the hood. Every surface feels even better than it looks, and the quilted leather seats are equal parts cushy and supportive. None of the EQC's aforementioned competitors offer an interior this plush.

Four average-size adults can stretch out in relative comfort, and the cargo hold is large enough to accommodate all of their carry-on suitcases and backpacks. Final US-spec cargo dimensions are still TBD, but given the EQC isn't too far off the GLC, you can safely use that as a point of reference.

Standard MBUX tech

The EQC's in-car tech is headlined by Mercedes' MBUX multimedia system, set up on a pair of 10.2-inch screens atop the dash. MBUX is the same here as it is in any of the company's latest models, with a couple of EQC-specific features built in, including screens that show your energy use and range, as well as navigation data for nearby charging stations. Speaking of navigation, it comes standard on every EQC, as do Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Mercedes lets you control MBUX in myriad ways. You can touch the center screen, or use the thumbpads on the steering wheel or the touchpad on the center console. Of course, you can also just talk to the AI assistant, saying, "Hey, Mercedes" to wake it up. I still find the AI a little too eager to chime in, asking, "How can I help you?" when I only mention the word "Mercedes" midsentence in conversation. But I do like that I can just say, "Hey, Mercedes, where's the closest charging station?" and it'll display a list of options without me having to search through the nav.

Speaking of charging...

The 2020 EQC400 uses an 80-kilowatt-hour, lithium-ion battery, with a 7.7-kilowatt onboard charger. On a Level 2 wall-box charger -- the kind you'll have installed at home -- the EQC can replenish its battery in about 10 hours. Step up to 110-kilowatt DC fast charging and Mercedes estimates achieving an 80% charge in just 40 minutes. Given the EQC's relatively conventional design, you won't be surprised to learn the charging port is located on the SUV's passenger side, behind the rear door, just like a conventional fuel tank.

The 80-kWh battery provides ample motivation for the big EQC, with 402 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque sent to an asynchronous motor at each axle, giving the SUV all-wheel drive. Off-the-line acceleration is quoted at 4.8 seconds to 60 miles per hour, or about the same as a Mercedes-AMG GLC43. The instant torque delivery is addictive, and one of the most fun aspects of EV driving. The Mercedes delivers it without any skittishness or wheelspin -- just a smooth, consistent rush of power. Under light power demands, the EQC largely runs in front-wheel-drive operation, the larger rear motor only kicking in when needed.

A particularly impressive thing about this powertrain is how seriously silent it is. Yes, I know, EVs are quiet to begin with, but Mercedes went a step further when developing the EQC and worked to isolate the electric motor's operational noises as much as possible. With the radio switched off and under hard acceleration you can hear a faint whirr, but that's it. Plenty of insulation keeps road and wind noise out of the cabin, too, making for one of the quietest motoring experiences available today.

Quiet, comfy cruising

Electric powertrain aside, the EQC moves down the road like any other Mercedes SUV. The chassis tuning errs on the side of comfort over sharp handling -- even with the car set to its Sport drive mode -- but the EQC won't fall apart should you toss it into a bend. The low center of gravity helps the crossover feel planted and stable, and the relatively light steering offers enough feedback through the wheel to keep you aware of what's happening at road level. Even on its largest 21-inch wheel-and-tire setup, the EQC offers a more compliant ride than a Jaguar I-Pace or Tesla Model X. Given the EQC's mission in life, it drives exactly the way it should.

A couple of neat tricks help you eke out every mile, the first of which is really quite simple (and effective). Put the EQC in its Eco drive mode, and the throttle's resistance increases substantially, with an actual stop point about halfway through the travel. This means you won't be overaccelerating, which drains the battery more rapidly. Should you need more speed than this mode offers, kicking down on the throttle harder will allow you to break through the stop point.

Then you have the regenerative braking modes, of which there are several. In the car's standard "D" operation, it idles forward and drives like a traditional, gas-powered car. D- and D-- modes are activated via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, and dial in more regen as desired. D- feels like the best setup for true one-pedal driving, while D-- is tuned a bit too aggressively for smooth operation (though I imagine you'd get used to it if you owned an EQC).

Finally, you can select D Auto, which uses the car's forward-facing sensors to slow the car using regenerative braking as you approach a lead car. Think of it as being like halfway adaptive cruise control: Say you're going 70 miles per hour on the highway and lift your foot off the throttle as you approach a car going 65 mph. In this D Auto setting, the EQC will automatically slow down using regeneration without you having to touch the brake pedal. It will not, however, accelerate back up to your cruising speed should that slower car move out of the way.

If you want honest-to-goodness adaptive cruise control, it -- as well as lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring -- is available as part of the EQC's Driver Assistance Package.

So, what about the range?

The EQC won't arrive in the US until early 2020, so its official EPA range estimate is still many moons away. Under Europe's NEDC test cycle, Mercedes says the EQC can go anywhere between 277 and 293 miles on a full charge, depending on vehicle spec. But remember, the NEDC ratings are notoriously optimistic, and there's no solid formula for converting this number into a realistic US expectation.

My best look at the SUV's real-world range came last year, when I rode right-seat in an EQC prototype from Mercedes' research and development center in Sunnyvale, California, to the coastal region of Big Sur and back. Loaded with four adults, the EQC traveled 228 miles without recharging, the battery indicating a 7% charge at the end of the day. Bastian Schult, the engineer who led that test, was definitely driving with an eye toward max range, but he wasn't exactly a slowpoke, either.

Mercedes officials won't speculate on the EQC's US-spec range, simply because there are so many variables to take into consideration. But don't be shocked if the final EPA number ends up being somewhere between 200 and 220 miles. That'll put the EQC behind the Jaguar I-Pace (234 miles) and Tesla Model X 75D (238 miles) -- not to mention the longer-range 100D and new, 325-mile long-range Tesla models -- and closer in line with the Audi E-Tron (204 miles).

The truth is, for people who've taken the plunge into EV life, the difference between 204, 228, 234 and 238 miles is actually sort of negligible. These folks aren't draining their batteries all of the time; being able to charge at home or at the office is a given. Because of this, Mercedes executives aren't exactly sweating what the actual EPA number will be.

A focus on luxury

Besides, the Mercedes-Benz EQC more than makes up for any range shortcomings with its excellent accommodations and wonderful on-road manners. You'll likely pay a bit more for the privilege than for an Audi E-Tron ($74,800) or Jaguar I-Pace ($69,500). But that's expected for every other Mercedes model, too.

Official pricing won't be available until the EQC launches next year, but I'm expecting it to fall closer to the Tesla Model X's $83,000 MSRP -- not including available incentives, natch. The Tesla might still best the Mercedes in terms of all-out range, but with the Mercedes' better on-road manners and far more premium cabin, those not sold on the church of Tesla might find Mercedes' newcomer EQC a solid choice.

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