We put EQC 400 to the test. Does it change the game?
This 2.5-tonne SUV was the first all-electric Mercedes under its new EQ sub-brand. Unlike its newer EVs, this one is 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 pretty 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 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 pretty 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 cosy 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 two and a half tonne 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 150 kg penalty comes from platform sharing. A bespoke EV chassis would save that. If that matters a two and a half tonne 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 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 maximises 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 280 km on a full charge
Mercedes reckons the EQC 400 will do 370 km according to its Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Test Procedure. That’s what WTLP in fuel consumption stands for these days. We averaged more like 280 km before we needed to plug it in. That translates to 3.5 km/kWh.
In other words, working on a R2.70/kWh standard electricity tariff, the Mercedes EQC 400 costs R216 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 GLC 300 d should return a bit better than 6 litres per 100 km at R21 or so a litre of diesel. So it’d cost you R352 to travel those same 280 km. And a GLC 300 uses 8 litres per hundred at R23 per litre, so 280 km costs you R515. The elephant in the room however remains the range. The diesel will go 1150 km on a tank, the petrol CLC 850 km.
All EQC’s weight costs money
All that weight and tech also comes at a price. Our EQC 400 4Matic AMG Line will set you back R1.679 million. More than a R400K premium over a GLC 300 d 4Matic AMG Line. 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. – Michele Lupini
Images & Testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-EQB 350 4Matic Motor: 300 kW 760 Nm, 2x asynchronous electric Battery: 80 kWh lithium ion Drive: Direct, AWD TESTED: 0-60 km/h: 2.52 sec 0-100 km/h: 5.18 sec 0-120 km/h: 7.35 sec 0-160 km/h: 14.29 sec 400m: 13.7 sec @ 158 km/h 80-120 km/h: 3.73 sec 120-160 km/h: 6.94 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 180 km/h Energy: 22.2 kWh/100 km Range: 370 km Warranty/Service: 2y unl./5y 100K km LIST PRICE: R1.679M RATED: 8
