2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC Electric

The higher asking price of the EQC would mean that Mercedes will offer a lot of features and creature comforts as standard to attract more customers. The LED headlights and taillights will be standard along with the panoramic sunroof and all the mandatory safety features and driver aids. All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup and the battery capacity and power output are constant as well.

The Premium trim will add few driver assistance features along with a 360-degree view camera and heated rear seat while the Advanced trim will feature all the premium elements like a premium Burmester sound system, adaptive cruise control, larger wheels along with the Mercedes AMG Line interior package.

We Recommend

Since many of the premium features are already available right from the base Progressive trim and there are no changes expected in terms of performance and driving range of the car in the higher trims, it is best to opt for the base trim and spend the money saved on additional optional features.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC Release Date

There is still no confirmed date from the manufacturer regarding the release date and with the Mercedes EQS set to be the first Mercedes EV to be launched in America, expect the EQC to be available only next year. 

The EQC is expected to be powered by two 3-phase asynchronous motors that are connected to a lithium-ion battery which powers all four wheels as standard through a single-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain output is rated at 402 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque, similar to the EQC on sale in the UK. 

Performance from this powertrain is not the greatest in spite of the high power output but a 5.1 second 0-60 mph sprint and covering the quarter-mile 13.5 seconds means that it is no slouch either. Although the top speed is expected to be limited at a meager 112 mph, the maximum towing capacity is pretty strong at around 4,000 lbs. 

Though the EQC hasn't reached the shores just yet, considering the fact that it’s a Mercedes, we expect the ride to be supple and comfortable over bad stretches of road and should offer good highway manners. The floor-mounted battery pack should keep the center of gravity lower to the ground and with sophisticated adaptive suspension systems, the body roll should be kept to a minimum. 

The Tesla Model Y is the first to come to mind when an electric SUV comes to our mind. Though its performance isn’t as strong as the Model X, its cost-effective nature is sure to set a challenge for Mercedes to steal away Tesla buyers. The Audi e-tron too costs marginally less than the Mercedes but is even slower off the mark. The Jaguar I-Pace on the other hand has some strong acceleration performance to brag about, but the high asking price and poor towing performance will surely deter customers.

The MPGe ratings of the Mercedes EQC are probably what has caused Mercedes to delay the launch of the SUV. Even with the 80 kWh battery pack, the estimated real-world driving range is expected to be around 200 miles only. Charging timings are yet to be clear but if the European EQC is concerned, a 400V household charger will need around 11 hours to charge the battery to full capacity. 

The standard 220V wall socket will take a staggering 41 hours to completely replenish the battery but thankfully the 100 kW rapid public charging stations can juice up the EQC from 10-80% in just 40 mins. Also, there are various energy recuperation settings and modes that can help you juice out the battery to the last drop to get the maximum driving range in emergency scenarios. 

There is no competition to the efficiency of the Tesla cars and the Model Y is hands down the leader in this comparison as well. The Audi e-tron and the I-Pace too are just marginally more efficient than the Mercedes. In terms of driving range, the Model Y has the class-leading driving range while the Audi is the one that will run out of juice, the first amongst these SUVs. Though the Jaguar employs a larger battery, it does not do that well over the EQC. 

Being a Mercedes, we can expect a sheer premium experience inside the cabin of the EQC, especially to attract buyers away from the basic cabins of the Tesla. The cabin looks striking in design and does feel more sophisticated than the regular GLC SUV. Apart from the twin screens, the sleek air-conditioning vents and silver accents on the carbon fiber inlay in the dashboard look particularly futuristic. 

The dual screens that act as the infotainment screen and the instrument cluster take up about half of the dashboard and the center console below houses the touchpad controller and heating/ventilation function for the front seats. The dash is covered in premium soft-touch upholstery while wood trim inlays and neatly placed ambient lighting in the higher trims do feel premium and in a way reminds us of the GLC. 

The seats themselves are expected to be very comfortable and supportive at the same time, as is the case with most Mercedes cars. There is no shortage of space at the front with more than enough headroom and sufficient legroom on offer. The rear seat has decent space as well and the standard sunroof makes the light-tone interior feel even more spacious. The cargo capacity has not been unveiled yet but expects it to be around the 19 cu-ft marks behind the rear seat, similar to its GLC cousin.

The Tesla offers the best cabin and luggage space in the business and also comes with a small front trunk in place of the engine compartment. Both the Audi and Jaguar offer similar space at the front but the e-tron has a more spacious rear seat and luggage compartment. The Jaguar I-Pace feels the most cramped amongst the SUVs present here and also has a low roofline which affects headroom to a certain extent. Some of the interior features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC are:

• 12-way power heated and ventilated front seats w/memory function
• 40-20-40 Split-folding heated bench rear seat
• MB-Tex Upholstery
• Fine-Grain MB-Tex Upper Dash and Door Trim
• Rose-Gold Air-Vent Fins and Natural Grain Black Ash Wood trim
• Inductive Wireless Charging with NFC Pairing
• Pre-Entry Climate Control
• Head-up Display

How intuitive is the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC Electric SUV’s infotainment unit?

The dashboard grabs your attention as soon as you enter this Mercedes, as it too comes with dual 10.25-inch screens positioned next to each other. While the center infotainment screen controls all the vehicle settings, navigation, audio along with the various other functions, the driver instrument panel shows all the vital stats of the car. 

One can control the infotainment system through the touchpad controller on the center console along with the voice commands as the MBUX comes with a Siri or Alexa-like assistant that can be called out with the “Hey Mercedes” call sign. Shelling out more money can get you augmented reality navigation through the head-up display while the MB navigation is provided as complimentary for the first three years.

There’s HD radio and satellite radio offered as standard along with the wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. A mobile hotspot and Bluetooth connectivity are expected as well and while the lower trims might get a more basic audio system, higher trims will get the 590-Watt nine-channel Burmester to surround sound system to fill in the lack of ambient noise due to the absence of an engine under its hood. Some of the infotainment features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC are:

• 10.25-inch MBUX infotainment system w/touchpad controller
• 10.25-inch Digital Driver Instrument Cluster
• 13-speaker 590W Burmester Sound System w/9-channel amplifier
• MB Navigation is complimentary for the first 3 years
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration
• HD Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot
• Hands-Free Bluetooth Interface

Mercedes engineers seem to have taken the high road while designing the EQC as one does not see any out-of-the-box elements like the Falcon Wing doors seen on the Model X. Instead Mercedes has kept things very simple and traditional and is very recognizable as a Mercedes SUV. Although the ride height isn’t the greatest and will offer a ground clearance more on the lines of a sedan than an SUV. 

The front looks a bit futuristic though with the new LED headlight design and a large smooth grille at the front to aid aerodynamics, unlike the non-existent front grilles of other EVs. The overall body does not have many curves and creases and flows smoothly for better airflow. The wraparound LED bar tail light is on par with what we have come to see on many modern European cars off late. 

The exterior dimensions of the EQC are pretty similar to the GLC but obviously weigh considerably more due to the heft of the battery pack. The Jaguar I-Pace is the smallest SUV here and hence has the lowest curb weight while the Audi e-tron is the largest and also offers the highest ground clearance in this comparison. The Tesla Model Y is similar in dimensions to the EQC and yet offers plenty more space inside its cabin. Some of the exterior features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC are:

• Automatic Projector Beam LED Low/High Beam Daytime Running Lights Preference Setting Headlamps
• LED Brakelights
• Power Liftgate and Lip Spoiler
• Power Heated Side Mirrors w/Driver Auto Dimming, Power Folding, and Turn Signal Indicator
• Chrome Door Handles and Side Windows Trim
• Power Tilt/Sliding Panoramic Sunroof w/Power sunshade
• 19-inch Alloy Wheels

There is no doubt that Mercedes-Benz isn’t taking the safety aspect of the EQC lightly in any which way as apart from the standard safety features that are offered on every other Mercedes, it also gets various other features to further enhance the safety quotient of this very important car for Daimler-Mercedes group. 

Apart from lane-departure warning and assist, the 2022 EQC will also feature front collision warning, blind-spot warning, front and rear parking sensors, and a post-collision safety system. Additionally, adaptive cruise control with level autonomous driving and an aerial view camera with a 360-degree view shall also make their way. Some of the safety features in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC are:

• Electronic Stability Control(ESC) with Roll Stability Control
• Dual-Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Airbags
• Front Collision Warning with Automated Emergency Braking
• Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist
• Blind Spot Monitoring System
• Car-To-X Communication
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Pre-Safe System
• ParkSense Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC Electric SUV vs Audi e-tron 

Audi has already launched their range of electric cars and has created a stir in the market. With the e-tron all set to reach homes with its lower price tag and premium exterior and interior elements, the delay from the Mercedes could hurt the sales in the future as well. The Audi is also more spacious inside, has a similar driving range, and offers a tall SUV stance. We still don’t know when the Mercedes EQC will make its way here, until then the Audi e-tron is the better choice.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC Electric SUV vs Jaguar I-Pace

The Jaguar I-Pace with its appealing exterior design wins hearts even before one gets inside. Inside, the cabin isn’t as premium or feature-loaded as the Mercedes and also does not offer many of the modern safety and comfort features that are available with the Mercedes. The I-Pace has strong acceleration and a decent driving range but lacks in terms of towing prowess and cabin space. Add to that the high starting price and the EQC feel worth waiting for.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQC Electric SUV vs Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y acts as the entry point to the Tesla SUVs and that is one of its strongest selling points. Add to that lightning-quick performance and acres of space inside its cabin for both the passengers and their luggage, it is one of the most well-rounded electric SUVs on offer today. Plus the wide network of Tesla’s Superchargers and the cool auto-pilot feature, Mercedes has no chance of competing against such a well-established product. 

The wait for the new Mercedes-Benz EQC has created more news than the actual product itself in recent days. While the EQC is a commendable SUV right out of the box, the lower driving range could possibly hamper the brand’s image is what is feared by the folks at Mercedes. Nonetheless, once it makes its way to the country, the premium cabin, decent performance, and wide dealer network already in place will make it a strong contender in the compact electric SUV segment, especially for the Mercedes fanboys.