Mercedes EQC long-term test: report 3

The car Mercedes EQC 400 4Matic AMG Line Premium Plus Run by Jim Holder, Editorial Director

Why it’s here We want to discover if Mercedes' first mainstream EV is a match for the opposition, worthy of a near-£80,000 price tag and fits into everyday life.

Needs to Deliver a wow factor befitting its price, without any limitations resulting from its mode of propulsion that compromise its everyday usability.

Miles covered 1436 Price £74,610 Target Price £74,610 Price as tested £77,200 Official range 232 miles Test range 206 miles

6 November 2020 – Electric power meets wind power

Amazing how you become so much more aware of what makes your driving more – or less – efficient when you always have an eye on how much range you have left.

Pre-lockdown we decided to have one last walk on the beach, ignoring the blowing gale to set off from London to Seaford, near Brighton, on an 85-mile each-way trip.

After charging the Mercedes EQC it showed 225 miles on the range counter, yet by the time we reached our destination – after a very steady drive, it was only showing 111 to go.

I can’t say I enjoyed my fish and chips as much as I hoped, but I was reasonably relaxed in the knowledge that there were plenty of places for a quick charging pitstop on the way home.

However, miracles of miracles, we got home with 30 miles of range left.

How so? Well, closeted from the elements by the sumptuous interior of the Mercedes EQC we may have been, but I suspect it was the shift between driving into the howling wind on the way there and having it behind us for the return trip that made the difference.

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