Mercedes EQC review - MPG, CO2 and running costs
Once you’re past the steep asking price and insurance costs, the EQC provides a practical range and all the usual benefits of a zero-emissions vehicle.
There’s no point in having a premium electric SUV with superb levels of comfort and refinement if you can only travel a short distance before having to stop and top-up the battery. Fortunately, Mercedes has this covered and claims a range for the EQC of between 244 and 255 miles on a single charge, although this is behind the 286 miles of the BMW iX3.
During our own test, the EQC returned 2.7 miles per kWh, so we think a more realistic range figure from the 80kWh battery will be around 216 miles.
Mercedes includes a Maximum Range mode for the EQC, which utilises the nav system and on-board cameras to adjust functions such as the regenerative braking system and actively restricts maximum available power – all in order to achieve the most miles. We think it’s a bit quirky, while the persistent electronic interventions can become a little tedious for just the smallest increase in range. Drivers would be better served by sticking to either Comfort or Eco modes.
The EQC can’t match the Audi e-tron’s quick charging capability and it won’t get close to the convenience of a Tesla Model X plugging into a Supercharger. However, topping up the EQC from 10% to 80% at a rapid 110kW public charging point will take just 40 minutes.
Insurance groups
Insurance premiums for the EQC are going to be expensive as all versions sit in the top group 50. Similarly-powered Audi e-tron models are also in group 50, as are Jaguar I-Pace variants.
Depreciation
EQC owners will be pleased that, after an average of three years and 36,000 miles of ownership, their luxury SUV will still be worth quite a bit as a used buy. Data suggests it will hold onto around 65% of its original list price after this time, which is a better return when compared to the circa 56% for the e-tron and I-Pace rivals.
