Mercedes-Benz EQC Review: The First Fully Electric SUV

When you hear the words “Electric Vehicle”, there’s a very good chance that you think of Tesla. This is fair since Tesla has been ruling the EV space for many years now. However, times are changing, and mainstream manufacturers want a piece of the pie. Join me in welcoming the first-ever, fully-electric Mercedes-Benz, the all-new EQC.

Drive

The EQC is based on the brand’s GLC crossover. It comes fitted with an 80-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors (one on each axle), producing 408 horsepower and 765 Nm of torque.

Put the pedal to the metal, and the EQC will remind you of your favorite rollercoaster. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds, with four drive modes, including a Sports mode, that put quite a few sports cars to shame, despite weighing a hefty 2.5 tons.

Being a Mercedes, and an electric one at that, the quietness inside the cabin is unreal. The team has definitely pushed the bar in terms of refinement, with almost no noticeable road or wind noise, and the ride is as supple as you would expect from a luxury SUV.

The EQC is fitted with technologies such as regenerative braking, controlled from paddles behind the steering wheel, converting kinetic energy that is traditionally lost during braking or deceleration into electricity for later use.

Despite an NEDC claim of 450 km on a single charge, the truth is that the EQC will struggle to give you anything more than 300 km in the real world. This may be due to the extreme heat in the UAE or the power needed to run the AC and all the cameras, radars, and sensors. The EQC seems to drain its battery quicker than an old laptop, which isn’t convenient.

Interior

The interior fit and finish of the EQC showcase the designers' attention to detail, looking and feeling as luxurious as any other Mercedes. Although the EQC is based on the GLC, it isn't just a cut-paste job. For instance, the AC vents are different from those found in a GLC, featuring an extremely unique copper finish.

Space in the back is better than expected, with amenities such as:

• Privacy shades
• Separate AC controls from those in the front
• Cup holders
• Central storage box

Features

On the feature front, the EQC has a lot to offer, including:

• 360-degree cameras
• Sunroof
• 13-speaker Burmester audio system
• Heated and cooled seats
• Wireless charger
• Automated parking system
• Navigation system with augmented reality

While the EQC offers several impressive features, it doesn't present anything revolutionary. Most of its features are already available in the offerings of its competitors.

Exterior

Despite its slightly chubby appearance, the EQC is a visually appealing car, unmistakably a Mercedes-Benz. It doesn’t look awkward or unnecessarily futuristic, boasting a drag coefficient of just 0.27, making it one of the most aerodynamic cars in its class.

From the back, the EQC resembles a Porsche Cayenne (especially at night), attributed to the full-length LED strip and the shape of the tail lamps. The boot space measures 500 liters, which is decent for a car of this size, although a significant amount of that space is consumed by the full-size spare wheel and two charging cables.

Verdict

With a starting price of just 290,000 Dirhams, the Mercedes-Benz EQC is more affordable than many would expect. It is comfortable, luxurious, and visually appealing. However, this is Mercedes-Benz we’re discussing—the company that built the motor car. Their first electric vehicle should have been revolutionary, leading the way for others to follow. Unfortunately, it falls short of those high expectations.