Drive with us: Test driving the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQC

Join us as we look back at the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the SUV that kicked off Mercedes' electric era

Launched back in 2019, the Mercedes-Benz EQC was the brand's first fully electric SUV, and the first model to wear the EQ badge.

It arrived in a brand-new corner of the market: The premium electric SUV. Only the Jaguar I-PACE had beaten it there.

But production ended in 2023 after just a four-year run. Built on the GLC platform rather than a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform, the EQC was a weighty thing, and its efficiency suffered for it.

Instead, it set the template for what came next: The EQA, EQB, EQE and EQS.

Today, Mercedes points buyers towards the EQE SUV and the new electric GLC.

So, was the EQC a trailblazer, or just a stepping stone? Either way, it deserves a proper send-off.

What we drove

Model: Mercedes-Benz EQC AMG Line 4MATIC

Body Style: SUV

Power: Electric (300kW / 408PS)

Battery: 80kWh

Range: Up to 256 miles (WLTP Comb)

Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds

Colour: Obsidian Black Metallic

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Unmistakably Mercedes, with a quiet electric twist

There's no denying the Mercedes-Benz EQC looked and felt premium.

It was unmistakably a Mercedes, and that went well beyond the badge.

The wide, confident stance was toned down with sweeping lines and a curved rear, while the coupé-style roof and aerodynamically optimised wheels finished the job.

Every inch of it screamed Mercedes.

And those sleek lines weren't just for show. The roof and wheels helped give the EQC a drag coefficient of just 0.28.

Impressive stuff.

Our car wore Obsidian Black Metallic paint and 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloys, which looked fantastic. Even the entry-level wheels impressed, while the black high-sheen alloys on AMG Line Premium and Premium Plus were proper head turners.

Most EVs of the time took a bold approach: Futuristic design, flashy looks, and very obviously electric. The Jaguar I-PACE and BMW iX both went down that route.

But not the EQC.

It blended seamlessly into the rest of the Mercedes lineup.

Back when going electric was new and a bit nerve-wracking, that familiarity was reassuring. You got a car that looked like a Mercedes, but just happened to be electric.

The one small downside? Chunky A-pillars and a small rear window made visibility trickier than it should've been.

Classic Mercedes luxury, but a touch dated

Step inside and the EQC was luxurious, to say the least.

Twin 10.25-inch screens came as standard: One for the driver's display, one for the touchscreen.

The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system could be operated four ways: Touchscreen, touchpad, steering wheel, or "Hey Mercedes" voice control. It handled requests like "I'm cold," and could even tell you a joke if you asked nicely.

You could also pre-heat or cool the cabin while plugged in, without using any battery power.

A godsend on frosty British mornings.

Physical buttons were kept for key controls too, as this was before the minimalist trend truly set in. The touchpad, however, was fiddly on the move.

The rose gold vents and chrome dash trim looked great, but caused a distracting reflection on the windscreen in bright sunlight.

Acoustic glass came as standard, so the cabin stayed hushed with minimal road noise.

There was room for five adults, though the GLC platform meant there was no flat rear floor.

The ISOFIX point covers were a bit fiddly, but family-friendly touches like seatbelt hooks and a middle seat that folded separately for skis or golf clubs made up for it.

The boot offered 500 litres of space. That's 50 litres less than the petrol GLC, and well behind the Audi e-tron's 660 litres.

Still, it was practical, with underfloor storage for charging cables, an automatic tailgate as standard, and a braked towing capacity of 1,800kg. The rear seats folded almost flat, but only via a button in the boot, which was a bit of a faff.

Where it really showed its age was the kit list.

Smartphone integration and memory seats were locked behind pricier trims, which felt a little mean for a car this premium.

The least 'electric' feeling EV we'd driven

Put your foot down and the EQC didn't feel like a typical EV.

Take your foot off the pedal and the harsh regenerative braking you'd often find in electric cars simply wasn't there. The result was a drive much like any other Mercedes.

But there was nothing standard about the pace. 408PS, 765Nm of torque, and 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds.

Twin motors and four-wheel drive gave plenty of grip on slippery roads too.

There were four driving modes on offer: Comfort, Sport, Eco, and Maximum Range.

Eco Assist even prompted you to lift off ahead of junctions or downhill stretches, while adjustable regenerative braking made one-pedal-style town driving possible for those who wanted it.

The ride was smooth and composed, though it could fidget over smaller imperfections. Out on the motorway it was near silent, with only a little wind and tyre noise.

At around 2.5 tonnes, you felt the weight through tight corners. It stayed tidy, but the I-PACE was more fun on a twisty road. Around town, though, it was surprisingly easy to live with, thanks to a tighter turning circle than either the Audi e-tron or BMW iX.

Charging was fine, until everyone else got faster

With its 80kWh battery, the Mercedes-Benz EQC offered up to 259 miles of range (WLTP Comb). Our AMG Line 4MATIC managed up to 256 miles.

That wasn't bad at the time. But it quickly became average, then below average.

Real-world range was around 203 miles, almost 22% lower than the WLTP Comb figure. That's still plenty for the weekly commute and school runs, but short of the official number.

Official efficiency sat at 2.7-2.8 miles per kWh, and that 2.5-tonne weight was the main culprit. The range penalty that came with it was one of the reasons the EQC was axed.

Just look at the Mercedes-Benz EQS, with a range of up to 542 miles (WLTP Comb), currently the longest-range EV available in the UK.

Charging was another area that aged fast.

DC charging peaked at 110kW, giving 10-80% in around 40 minutes. Decent back in 2019. Not so much now.

At home, the 7.4kW on-board charger meant a full top-up took around 13 hours on a 7kW wallbox, so it was very much an overnight job.

There were some clever touches, mind.

MBUX showed your live range, navigated you to chargers, and pre-conditioned the battery on the way for faster charging. In fact, the EQC was one of the first EVs able to preheat its battery for rapid charging.

Safety and warranties

The EQC was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2019 and scored the full five stars:

• Adult occupant: 96%
• Child occupant: 90%
• Vulnerable road users: 75%
• Safety assist: 75%

The safety kit was generous:

• Autonomous emergency braking could detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles
• Active Lane Departure Warning
• Blind Spot Assist
• Active Park Assist with a reversing camera

The optional Driving Assistance Package fitted to our car added:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Steering assist
• Evasive Steering Assist

Premium Plus models also got a 360-degree camera.

When parked, the Urban Guard alarm kept things secure, with tow-away protection and an interior motion sensor.

Peace of mind came as standard too. The EQC was backed by a three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, with the battery covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.

What's good, and what's not

The good bits

• Drove like a conventional Mercedes, with none of the jarring EV feel
• Hushed, refined cabin thanks to acoustic glass
• Comfortable, composed ride
• Intuitive MBUX with "Hey Mercedes" voice control
• Four-wheel drive as standard

Not-so-good

• Adapted petrol platform rather than a dedicated EV design
• Newer rivals offered longer range
• 500-litre boot was smaller than rivals'
• No flat rear floor
• Heavy at around 2.5 tonnes, and it showed in the corners and the efficiency

What's the verdict?

Most notably, the EQC felt like any other Mercedes-Benz: Premium, well made, and luxurious.

It proved Mercedes could go electric without losing what makes a Mercedes a Mercedes. The drive was hushed and relaxing, the cabin was classy, and there was plenty of pace when you wanted it.

But it was a victim of its foundations.

The adapted GLC platform, that 2.5-tonne weight, and a range that fell behind newer rivals meant it only lasted four years.

Production may have ended in 2023, but its influence lives on across the EQ range. The EQE SUV and the new electric GLC picked up where it left off, keeping the luxury and adding the range and charging it lacked.

If anything, the EQC is proof of just how fast EV tech moves. In four short years, it went from trailblazer to an average (if that) EV.

Five reasons it will be missed

1. Mercedes-Benz luxury and refinement, in electric form
2. The least 'electric' drive of its era, relaxing from the very first mile
3. Brisk, effortless performance with all-wheel-drive grip
4. Understated styling that didn't shout about being electric
5. The car that started Mercedes' electric journey and paved the way for the EQ range

Should you lease?

Absolutely. The EQC may be gone, but its spirit lives on.

The EQE SUV is the more upmarket option, with a much longer range and one of Mercedes' best big-screen layouts.

The new electric GLC is the EQC's natural successor. It's a similar size, but this time it's built on a dedicated EV platform, with no petrol underpinnings holding it back.

Both keep the EQC's luxury and refinement, and add the range, charging, and tech it lacked.

And if the EQC taught us anything, it's how quickly EV tech moves on. With leasing, you're never stuck with yesterday's tech. When your lease ends, you simply step into another new car with the latest tech.

For families who want a premium electric SUV that feels special without overstretching the budget, that's hard to beat.