While we wait for the official reveal of the BMW iX3 and Audi e-tron, both brands’ rival has beaten both to the punch and released its newest competitor — the Mercedes-Benz EQC.
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The Mercedes-Benz EQC is the brand’s first-ever all-electric SUV. Its naming structure is pretty easy to follow; all of Mercedes-Benz’s electric products will bear the “EQ” name and the “C” refers to its size and place in the segment, which is aligned with the GLC-Class SUV. So it’s quite simple to understand that the EQC is an electric version of the Mercedes GLC. Though, the EQC seems to be a bit longer and has slightly different styling overall, even if it is similar to the GLC.
On the surface, the Mercedes-Benz EQC seems to do a better job of showing its electric nature than both the BMW iX3 and Audi e-tron. While we haven’t officially seen either of those aforementioned EQC competitors, we’ve seen enough to know they both look more traditional than the Benz.
Up front, the headlights looks very futuristic and work their way into a trim piece that swoops under the new grille and connects both lamps. While its face is really the only aspect of the design that screams of electricity, it’s more so than on the iX3 and e-tron from what we’ve seen.
There’s also an optional AMG Line package, that brings much more aggressive wheels and a new grille. It looks much better, if you ask us, but many electric SUV owners aren’t really looking for anything sporty looking.
On the inside, it’s far more like a regular Mercedes GLC-Class. Though, that’s not bad thing, as it’s a handsome cabin. Though, there are some subtle details to differentiate the EQC from its GLC underpinnings. Rather than three round air vents in the front of the GLC’s interior, the EQC sports rectangular ones with orange accents. In fact, those orange accents make their way throughout the entire cabin, such as the air vents and seat controls.
Under the skin, the Mercedes-Benz EQC packs good enough specs for a current electric car but it seems a bit behind on the times already. Packing an 80 kWh battery, the EQC is capable of powering its twin electric motors for up to 200 miles. Considering that the Chevy Bolt can do over 200 miles already and both of its competitors have claimed ranges of almost 250 miles. the EQC is lacking a bit.
Admittedly, the Mercedes-Benz EQC is the most powerful and fastest car of the bunch. With those two electric motors making 402 hp and 564 lb-ft of torque, the EQC is capable of getting from 0-60 mph in a claimed 4.9 seconds. That would make it faster than any electric car in the segment no named the Tesla Model 3 Performance.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC seems to be an interesting electric SUV, one that can provide real world EV usage to a wide variety of customers. We can’t wait to see what happens with its competitors from Mercedes’ German rivals.
the interior is gorgeous but what’s up with the exterior???? i expected more than this!
not impressed with the interior looks like C class mixed with E class.. i thought it would be like the concept..
In between nearby every MB has the same interior. Only the vents are different in some models. Will never understand what people love on that oversized display (which costs a lot of extra amount).
The front of this is fugly… might make the vision inext looks good in comparison… lol the back is good, interior is good… but the front already had frontal colision …
I love both its interior and exterior. 110kW charging is a bit on the “slow” side as both Audi and BMW will support 150kW. Range is OK.
OMG that exterior and especially front are terrible
Design wise it looks excellent.
200mil range?! yikes and the price will be insane. I love the external and interior design though.
No match to the Audi E-Tron.
The two large screens joined together look like being added afterthoughts. The front also looks like a whole series of afterthoughts with bits of plastic and chrome to fill the gaps.
This poor effort by Benz and the equally poor intended effort by BMW re the ix3 will make the Audi E-Tron the winner on looks, tech and most likely quality of how it is built.
We’ll see, you haven’t even seen the iX3 inside.
What will be difference if it based on standard X3?
Since creating the segment, BMW have sold over a million X3, this generation should put the total over 2. Yet on BMWblog typists defer to the dieselgate subsidiary with the imprisoned CEO or the bus maker who uses videogames as dashboards.
Hahahahha “Dieselgate subsidiary with the imprisoned CEO or the bus maker who uses videogames as dashboards”, that’s absolutely hilarious!
Its certainly a better effort than recent ix3 but not the final statement on exquisite design for sure.
One thing that should be applauded here is that its far more organic looking car and closer to conventional car designs than the usually unnecessary sci-fi looking designs that are given to us in the name of ‘futuristic’.
Ps – Why is the switch for hazard warning light placed so far from the reach of driver? I think its an ergonomic glitch.
Can there be any other reason to that?
This is MB standard design out of the box. It is in the same place in every MB with the same boring interior elements.
Wow !! Never really noticed this. Thanks, Hans !
u havent even seen the ix3 inside so what you even on about..
Who is talking about interior here?
As it is, the exterior of ix3 itself is a deal breaker for me. Not bothered to sneak inside.
ix3 is better
Front Mitsubshi, rear Cayenne… :/
Seriously. Somewhere a Cayenne is driving around without tail lights because Mercedes stole them!
fugly + low range = 👎🏻
I like it better than the iX3 and it meets my needs for a local car. I think the Audi e-tron will be a little too big for a local car and charging infrastructure is not there, yet, for a travel car. Jag i-pace is very attractive, but big doubts on reliability. Proof will be the compliance of suspension over inner Houston’s potholed roads and cost. Anything over $70K MSRP is too much. GLC is too stiff. Also, if M-B will pass on the full Fed Tax Credit on a lease–BMW does not, except for the too small i3.