So, How Does Mercedes’ Pioneering EQC EV Run?
We put the Mercedes-EQC 400 to the test. Does it change the game?
This 2.5-tonne EQC was the first all-electric Mercedes under its EQ new sub-brand. Unlike its newer EVs, this one based on the good old carbon burning GLC. It’s just a facelift on the face of it. Which is also probably why it looks normal. Let’s take a closer look…
The C in its name aligns it with the petrol and diesel-powered GLC and thus the C-class. It exists above its GLA-based EQA, and the EQB hewn from the GLB. And sits below the standalone EQE and EQS. Which are the E and S classes in the battery-electric Mercedes-EQ range.
You Will Know EQC is a Mercedes Right Away
So, being based on it, the EQC seems just like a petrol GLC to just hop in and drive. So much so, you’d swear that the EQC isn’t even electric. All refreshing and normal. The cabin does feel different to the regular GLC. But you’ll know it’s a Merc right away.
Visibility is good and its cozy inside. You’re cosseted by exceptional fit, finish, and materials under a somewhat stingy sunroof. The audio system is splendid. Rear space is immense, but the boot is cramped. Another two compromises its generic platform brings alongside weight and practicality. Being an EV, you can however pre-cool or heat the cabin. A welcome plus.
Merc’s ‘Hey Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment spreads out across the dash. It packs Apple and Android mirroring, wireless charging, sat-nav, a reversing camera and the rest. Being so old, EQC has another advantage. Its previous generation steering wheel is so easy and friendly to use. Albeit prettier, Benz’ latest tech wheel forgets we’re merely human after all.
All-Wheel-Driven by a Motor At Each Axle
All-wheel-driven courtesy of a motor at each axle, the front unit is tuned for efficiency, the rear one tweaked to perform. The car spends its time ebbing and flowing output between the two. Drive defaults to the front wheels, only supplementing that with rear propulsion on demand. Or when the car thinks it needs it.
Powerful and torquey, the EQC 400 masks its 5,500 lbs. heft alarmingly well. Did you know that this car’s heated and cooled 80 kWh battery is responsible for a quarter of that weight? Some may call it progress. Another 330-pound penalty comes from platform sharing. A bespoke EV chassis would save that. If that matters a two and three-quarter ton car.
That mass does have its advantages. It plants the car on the road to ensure massive refinement. Merc has done an equally impressive job of keeping it quiet on the road and through the breeze. The front motor is for instance twice double rubber-mounted twice, to its subframe and then to the chassis. It’s so silent, it’s sexy!
Don’t Expect EQC to be Sporty
Don’t expect sporty. It’s too heavy, you sit too high, the steering’s too numb and there’s no anti-roll. But it’s quick. Perfectly matching Mercedes’ claims in our tests, performance is one advantage you certainly do benefit in this electric version. Epic, ever-present torque and huge grip make for swift and hassle-free driving, whatever the conditions.
Range depends on how you drive EQC, your drive modes and how hot or cold it is outside. And how much single pedal regen you’re happy to use. There are five levels and you set it via what was once the right steering shifter paddle. EQC also maximizes efficiency. It prompts you to use less throttle through navi data input and traffic sign recognition. You’re not alone!
EQC’s driver display also tells you where you are on range and battery level. The energy monitor will even tweak regen levels, when to charge or freewheel, if it’s more efficient to carry the speed or not. Intelligent.
We Managed 175 Miles on a Charge
Mercedes reckons the EQC 400 will travel 230 miles on a full battery, according to its Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Test Procedure. That’s what WTLP in fuel consumption stands for these days. We averaged more like 175 miles before we needed to plug it in. That translates to 2,1 miles/kWh.
In other words, working on an 11-cent standard electricity tariff, the Mercedes EQC 400 costs $8.80 to replenish from empty. That eases in low tariff times, but more than doubles using a public rapid charger. If you have a decent off-the-grid set-up at home, which many people buying in this neck of the woods do, then the EQC 400 shouldn’t cost a dime to run.
By way of comparison, a diesel GLC 300 d should return a bit better than 39 mpg at or so a $3.92 gallon of diesel. So, it’d cost you $17.58 to travel those same 175 miles. And a gas GLC 300 uses 29 mpg at $3.53 per gallon. So, 175 miles will cost you S21.30. The elephant in the room however remains range. The diesel will go 715 miles on a tank, the petrol GLC 530 miles.
All EQC’s Weight Costs Money
All that weight and tech also comes at a price. While the EQC comes at over a quarter premium over a GLC 300 4Matic AMG Line in markets where both are available (the US awaits the imminent next generation EQC). But while it’s electric and carries all those foibles of a gas burning base, list price premium, range anxiety and the rest, it is still first and foremost a Mercedes.
Relaxing, refined, capable and quiet, the Mercedes-EQC 400 4Matic AMG Line carries the proverbial kitchen sink. It also adds an EV ease to your everyday commute and will help calm even your greatest EV fear. And it’s just the first step in Mercedes’ EV future, so expect all our concerns to diminish as quickly as all this new tech advances.
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-EQB 350 4Matic Motors: 402 HP 560 lb.-ft, 2x asynchronous electric Battery: 80 kWh lithium ion Drive: Direct, AWD TESTED: 0-40 mph: 2.52 sec 0-60 mph: 5.18 sec 0-100 mph: 14.29 sec ¼-mile: 13.7 sec @ 98 mph 50-75 mph: 3.73 sec 75-100 mph: 6.94 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 110 mph Energy: 35 kWh/100 miles Range: 230 miles RATED: 8
Images & Testing: Giordano Lupini