Mercedes-Benz EQC Review 2024

Mercedes-Benz EQC At A Glance

3/5
Honest John Overall Rating
Sporting a stylish cabin packed with tech, the Mercedes EQC might not be as deft or as fun to drive as rivals, but if relaxed progress is your thing, the EQC should fit the bill.

+Great infotainment system with lots of functionality, very quick indeed, quiet and serene on the road.

-Not as comfortable or as fun to drive as key rivals, trails the Audi e-tron on build quality, limited range compared with some rivals.

New prices start from £67,320

There’s currently a very impressive stable of electric premium SUVs on the market, each of which takes on a slightly different role and delivers its own unique character, but the Mercedes-Benz EQC is a worthy adversary to any of them. The car looks and feels sophisticated, and it’s supremely quiet and refined on the road, feels suitably posh inside and comes packed with technology. Okay, so some rivals like the Audi Q8 e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace are more fun, more practical, more comfortable, more sturdily made and have a longer driving range, but the EQC is a very tempting package nonetheless. Read on for our full review of the Mercedes-Benz EQC.

Typical, isn’t it? You wait years for an all-electric prestige SUV, and then several come along at once.

Okay, granted, the Tesla Model X has been around since 2016, but all the other rivals for the EQC - those being the BMW iX3 and Jaguar I-Pace - came along at a very similar time to Mercedes’ entrant in the class.

So how does the Mercedes EQC mark itself out from the competition? Well, it’s smaller than most, so it struggles to match the best of them for practicality. Indeed, the Tesla even gives you seven seats as opposed to the five in the rest.

The Jaguar has the sporty side of things sewn up thanks to its eye-widening speed and sharp handling, whereas the Audi Q8 e-tron majors on being an electric SUV that feels like a luxury limousine thanks to its cosseting ride, sensational refinement and impressive interior quality. So what trump card does that leave for the EQC to play?

Step forward, MBUX. This is Mercedes’ latest generation of infotainment tech, and it brings all sorts of different functionality together into one visually stunning and easy-to-use package.

Bear in mind that you’ll want to buy a car of AMG Line Premium level or above to get the most out of it on this score (because entry-level cars miss a few desirable bits of functionality, unfortunately), but if you do, and you love your gadgets, then this alone will be a reason for buying the Mercedes EQC over its adversaries.

The Mercedes EQC is good in other areas as well. It comes loaded with standard equipment, has a high quality interior and it has enough space and practicality for a family, even if it can’t do any of these things quite as well as the very best-in-class.

Likewise, it’s impressively quick, hugely quiet and refined on the road and the motorway ride is very smooth. However, it’s not so comfy in a few other situations, it doesn’t handle with the same precision or keenness as most of its rivals, and it can’t quite match the best of them for driving range, either.

The fact remains, though, that the Mercedes EQC does a very solid job in every area, so it’s a good all-rounder. And, if tech is your thing, then it has the wow-factor to steal your heart, and more importantly for Mercedes, your custom. Well worth considering.

Looking for a second opinion? Why not read heycar's Mercedes-Benz EQC review.

Ask Honest John

What's the best small, electric 4x4?

"I'm planning to use our 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman for a deposit on an electric 4x4, some kind of lease deal. The question is, what 4x4 do we need? We share our time between London and rural Suffolk, and the lanes have been particularly muddy and icy of late. It would also need to transport two cocker spaniels and have enough room in the back for baby seats as we have grandchildren (dogs and children not necessarily at the same time as we have access to other cars). So, as small as possible, decent off-road ability and ground clearance, funky, and able to travel between London and Suffolk easily in terms of range. Thanks."
The Jaguar I-Pace might do the job. It has an official range of up to 292 miles and is a fairly practical choice, but it's not cheap. Also consider the Audi e-tron or Mercedes EQC. Alternatively, if you're happy to compromise on the 4x4 requirement, consider the Peugeot e-2008 or Kia e-Niro. Both are very versatile small electric crossovers.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Are there any electric vehicles that can safely tow a 1500kg caravan?

"Are there any electric vehicles which can safely tow a caravan of 1500kg? I currently have a Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 diesel which is a superb tow car - can anything electric replace it at a similar cost?"
Not at a similar cost. The only EVs that can currently tow are expensive SUVs like the Audi e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC. You'd be better considering a plug-in hybrid like a Volkswagen Passat GTE (which can officially tow up to 1600kg).
Answered by Andrew Brady

Can electric cars tow a caravan?

"It will apparently be possible to tow with the new Nissan Ariya. If so, what weight? Surely the range will be devastated. Also, is anyone planning to provide charging bays for tow cars with their trailers? Can the same be said of any similar priced EVs?"
Yes, the Nissan Ariya will be able to tow up to 1500kg. That's pretty good and enough to tow a small caravan. Electric cars actually make quite a lot of sense for towing - their instant pulling power means it should be a pretty easy and relaxed experience. As you say, though, it'd be interesting to see how much the range is hammered with a caravan in tow. Currently, only expensive electric SUVs like the Tesla Model X, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Audi e-tron And Jaguar I-Pace are rated for towing. We're not aware of any companies providing charging bays for tow cars with trailers.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a Mercedes-Benz EQC cost?