Mercedes jumped on the electric car bandwagon quite late compared to its German rivals, Audi and BMW, and even other manufacturers with which it’s not in direct competition. Its first fully electric vehicle is the EQC SUV, a tall car that is about the same size as the current GLC, but unlike that car, it runs on battery power alone so it does away with tailpipe emissions altogether.
2020 Mercedes EQC Video Review
The 2020 Mercedes EQC (whose model designation refers to ‘electric intelligence’ and the model’s size) has an 80-kWh battery pack, a claimed range of around 450 km (280 miles) according to the new WLTP guidelines, and 354 km (220 miles) according to the EPA. With a total power output of 402 horsepower from two asynchronous electric motors mounted to the front and rear axle, Mercedes says the EQC can sprint from naught to 100 km/h or 62 mph in a brisk 5.1 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 180 km/h or 112 mph.
Its main rival is the Tesla Model X, a model offered with several powertrain and battery choices, the most powerful of which trump the Mercedes’ range and performance numbers quite substantially. The Model X P100D is considerably quicker and faster, and the EPA rates its range at 523 km (325 miles). Its claimed sprint time is 2.7 seconds and its top speed is 250 km/h or 155 mph. It can also be had with seating for seven, mad dual-hinged so-called ‘falcon wing’ rear doors, and the most advanced self-driving tech available on any car.
With that being said, is the EQC a match for it? Well, it certainly is because what it proposes is a more traditional regular car-like experience. Mercedes has managed to differentiate the EQC from the rest of its range through many exterior and some interior design changes, but it still feels like a Mercedes according to the slew of video reviews below. It is built much better than the Tesla, it is more refined, and a lot nicer to drive. It isn’t as fast, but overall it’s more relaxing to travel in, and it feels more luxurious than the Model X inside.
So, it is, therefore, somewhat less practical than the Model X given that it can only carry up to five passengers and it doesn’t have a frunk (short for front trunk) like the Tesla does. You can thank the electric motor that drives the front wheels for the lack f a frunk. But, even so, that Mercedes badge and the 100+ years of tradition behind the brand will help sell the EQC, even if it’s not as technically competent as the Tesla on paper. It’s now one of the Model X’s arch rivals, and it will surely start stealing some sales away from it, along with the new Audi e-Tron SUV and the Jaguar i-Pace.
Reviewers really seem to like the EQC as a package, and they all seem quite optimistic that will sell very well, even if it doesn’t have quite what it takes to instantly knock the Model X off its pedestal. Yet, because Mercedes brands this model the EQC 400, it may very well launch an additional, maybe even more powerful or longer range variants of it in the future.
Further Reading
Read our full review on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC.
Read our full review on the 2016 Mercedes‑Benz "Generation EQ" Concept.
Mercedes EQC vs Mercedes Generation EQ Concept