Mercedes EQC 400 Full Review from an AMG owner

Summary

The Mercedes-Benz EQC A 400 is a luxurious family SUV that blends comfort, style, and impressive electric performance. With its striking design, spacious interior, and advanced MBUX system, it offers a futuristic driving experience. Powered by an 80 kWh battery and two electric motors, it delivers 403 horsepower and 760 Nm of torque, making it incredibly fast while maintaining a smooth and quiet ride. Though it's not the most dynamic for performance enthusiasts, it excels in practicality, providing ample space and an easy-to-drive experience perfect for families. A standout in electric luxury and family-friendly convenience.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Mercedes-Benz EQC A 400 is a powerful yet practical family SUV, offering a blend of style and performance.
• 😀 The EQC design takes inspiration from the GLC but is uniquely electrified with bold styling elements, including a glossy black grille and illuminated blue accents in the lights.
• 😀 Inside, the EQC features a luxurious driver-focused cockpit with high-quality materials, ambient lighting, and the advanced Mercedes MBUX system.
• 😀 The interior combines elements from the C-Class and A-Class, creating a modern and sophisticated look, perfect for family use.
• 😀 The rear seats offer excellent headroom, leg space, and comfort, while the boot provides ample space with the ability to fold the rear seats flat for large items.
• 😀 The EQC is powered by a dual-motor setup with a total of 403 horsepower and 760 Nm of torque, enabling rapid acceleration (0-60 mph in under 5 seconds).
• 😀 Despite its heavy weight of 2.5 tonnes, the electric motors deliver impressive instant power and make the EQC feel fast and agile.
• 😀 The EQC offers a range of 200 to 250 miles per full charge, with various charging options, including a 350 kW fast charger that can recharge the battery in about one hour.
• 😀 A built-in feature in the EQ menu helps drivers find nearby charging stations and provides navigation to them, ensuring convenience during long trips.
• 😀 Driving the EQC is comfortable, with smooth power delivery in comfort mode, but the handling lacks the sportiness and direct feedback expected from a performance-focused car.
• 😀 While the EQC is fast, it is designed more for comfort and practicality than dynamic driving, making it an excellent choice for family use but less appealing for performance enthusiasts.

Q & A

What is the Mercedes-Benz EQC A 400, and what makes it unique?

The Mercedes-Benz EQC A 400 is an electric SUV that combines practicality with high performance. It's based on the GLC model but has been electrified, featuring bold, unique styling and a focus on comfort and luxury, making it ideal for families.

How does the design of the EQC A 400 differ from the regular GLC?

The EQC A 400 retains the sporty SUV shape of the GLC but adds unique electric vehicle elements, such as the gloss black EQ grille, illuminated EQC badge, and stunning headlights with blue beams. The back of the car features a distinctive red light strip.

What interior features contribute to the luxurious feel of the EQC?

The interior is driver-focused with a curved cockpit and premium materials, such as soft-touch door panels and ambient lighting. The car also features the advanced Mercedes MBUX system, offering smooth performance and an intuitive user interface.

What is the performance of the EQC A 400 in terms of power and speed?

The EQC A 400 boasts 403 horsepower and 760 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph acceleration in under 5 seconds. Despite weighing 2.5 tons, the electric motors provide instant power, making the car feel incredibly fast.

What is the driving range of the EQC, and how does its charging system work?

The EQC has a driving range of 200 to 250 miles on a full charge. Charging options include a standard 5 kW rapid charger, which takes less than two hours for a full charge, and a faster 350 kW charger, which charges in about one hour.

How does the EQC help drivers find charging stations?

The EQC features an EQ menu that allows drivers to search for nearby charging stations. The system provides a list of stations, and once selected, the car's sat-nav directs the driver to the nearest one.

What is the driving experience like in terms of comfort and performance?

The EQC offers a smooth and comfortable driving experience with quiet cruising, responsive electric power, and smooth seat support. However, it may not provide the dynamic driving experience expected from a high-performance car, as it's designed for comfort and practicality.

How do the drive modes affect the performance of the EQC?

The EQC offers several drive modes, including Comfort, Sport, and Eco. Comfort mode provides a smooth, easy ride, while Sport mode improves throttle response and stiffens the suspension. Eco mode reduces power and makes the accelerator harder to press, promoting energy efficiency for longer range.

How does the EQC handle in terms of steering and dynamics?

The steering in the EQC is light and not very dynamic, which suits the car's focus on comfort. While the car is fast, it doesn't have the sharp handling or direct feedback typically expected from performance-oriented cars with similar horsepower.

What do the reviewers think of the EQC as a family car?

The reviewers find the EQC an excellent family car, offering ample space, ease of use, and comfort. The car's smooth power delivery, practical features like a spacious boot, and ease of driving make it a great choice for families, though it's not as fun for performance enthusiasts.