NEW MERCEDES EQC 400

Slippery all-electric EQC impresses for the completeness of its design and a serious turn of speed when required.

So good is the EQC, currently Mercedes’ sole electric offering in the NZ market, that it does not feel like a first-generation EV. It’s so fast, so refined, so well conceived and so effortless to use that you’d think Mercedes had been making cars like this for a decade or two.

The one achievement that really stood out during our week with the car was how well it disguises its 2.5-tonne weight, something that key rivals fail to do. So there are times when it rides and steers more like a conventional, lighter SUV, and because its looks are not that removed from the GLC with which it shares a few components, it doesn’t shout EV from the kerbside.

Aside from the intricate 21-inch alloy design (the upgrade adds $1800), the only other option fitted to the Brilliant Blue tester was a $600 upgrade to the excellent MBUX navigation. The wheels look very distinctive and match the technical yet straightforward cabin design but they’re an inch too big for our tastes. Stick to the standard 20-inchers and we suspect the ride would be a fraction smoother and motorway travel would closely match GLC comfort. In any case, road noise is brilliantly suppressed, which makes you think that quite a bit of the kerb weight comes from thorough NVH protection, not just the huge battery pack and electric hardware.

The battery is rated at 80kWh usable capacity and it’s conceivable that you could achieve a 400km range with thoughtful driving and favourable conditions. That puts it in Audi e-tron territory for range while its acceleration may push it ahead in the race to attract driving enthusiasts.

A consummate electric all-rounder, then? Yes, but even in AMG Line specification, the EQC 400 is not quite as luxurious as the two e-tron variants, and not as spacious in the rear, and this is reflected in the $143k price.

CATEGORY RELATED
READ ALL
MERCEDES EQC 400

ENGINE Dual electric motors

POWER 300kW

TORQUE 760Nm

TRANSMISSION Single speed auto

DRIVETRAIN 4MATIC 4wd

WEIGHT 2490kg

LENGTH 4.75m

WHEELS 21-inch alloy

TYRES 235/45 R21 (f) 255/40 (r)

0-100km/h 5.1 secs

ECONOMY 21.4kWh/100km

PRICE $142,900

RELATED POSTS

MERCEDES A45 S AMG

Wolf in wolf’s clothing outpaces all other proper hot hatches and laughs loudly in the face of physics.

MERCEDES-BENZ C300 COUPE

Convincing all-round package whets appetite but leaves good, keen drivers craving more theatrics.

MERCEDES-BENZ CLS 450

Advanced new mild hybrid powertrain turns swish four-door into fast and effortless grand tourer.

MERCEDES-BENZ S350d

Traditional standard bearer for luxury and comfort introduces new straight-six diesel engine.

MORE NEW CARS

AUDI RS4 COMPETITION

Low-slung, manually-adjustable RS4 variant is a fitting send-off for a wagon that really rewards the enthusiast.

FORD MUSTANG GT

Sure-fire future classic flexes muscles on Australian roads and showcases raft of welcome improvements.

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Mid-range R-Line is a beautifully rounded hatch with traditional Golf attributes. But a bit more power would be welcome.

VOLVO EX30

True beauty of high-performing EV lies in its absolute ease of use, pared-back design and distinct character.