Name: Mercedes-Benz EQC (2019 to 2023) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mercedes-Benz EQC
Rating: 62.0

Summary

Launched in 2019, the Mercedes-Benz EQC was the first ‘proper’ production EV of any sort from the three-pointed star brand. It was discontinued in 2023.

Reviewers pointed out that the car was a late arrival to a class already boasting the Audi Q8 e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X. But some, such as Honest John, dubbed the Mercedes “a worthy adversary to any of them.”

The EQC also lost out on practicality, being slightly smaller than its main rivals – opinions were divided over the rear-seat head and legroom, though most agreed the small rear door aperture didn’t make it easy to get into the car.

The interior enjoyed much praise – “it looks and feels a quality bit of kit” said the Sunday Times. Reviewers particularly liked the high-tech infotainment system, though its full capabilities were only available on higher-spec versions.

The EQC’s performance impressed. Each axle had its own electric motor, producing all-wheel-drive, total power of 408hp and a huge 760Nm of torque – 0-62mph time is a shade over five seconds. As well as being fast, the EQC was refined – “beautifully smooth” according to the Sunday Times though hard cornering highlighted its weight with notable body roll.

No longer on sale, the Mercedes-Benz EQC holds a Used Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 62%. Although it gets points for having no tailpipe emissions, it’s an expensive car to live with.

More Mercedes-Benz Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

EQC highlights

Refined on-road comfort
Rapid performance
Stylish, well-designed interior
Impressive infotainment system

EQC lowlights

Innocuous exterior styling
Not exactly roomy, especially in rear
Less fun to drive than some rivals
Best infotainment functionality requires spending

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Powertrain: electric motor, battery-powered
Price when new: From £74,330 on-road

Launched: Summer 2019
Last updated: N/A
Discontinued: Summer 2023

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Mercedes EQC is an upmarket electric car that’s very comfortable to drive and comes with a spacious, well-built cabin but alternative SUVs have greater ranges and bigger boots.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

“The Mercedes EQC luxury SUV delivers good electric range and superb levels of comfort and refinement, but it’s expensive and a little uninspiring to drive.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

More reviews

Car

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz EQC isn’t as boldly innovative as a Jaguar i-Pace or Tesla Model X but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a very good car. What’s more, it feels tailor-made for buyers keen to go electric but worried about the switchover.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With its brilliant refinement, great performance and focus on quality, the Mercedes-Benz EQC is a well-rounded electric car that fits the bill nicely if you’re looking for something a little more premium.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes EQC gives EV buyers a luxurious and comfortable option that’s incredibly refined.”
Read review

Company Car Today

Model reviewed: AMG Line Premium Plus
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The first EQ-branded model is a good one, and is another compelling argument for making the switch from internal combustion engine to electric power.”
Read review

Driving Electric

Score: 6 / 10
“A decent all-round premium electric SUV, the Mercedes EQC has become overshadowed by more up-to-date arrivals in the class.”
Author: Richard Ingram
Read review

Evo

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz EQC feels fast-tracked and undercooked.”
Read review

Green Car Guide

Score: 9 / 10
“The all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQC is excellent to drive, it looks good, it has a very upmarket interior and lots of space. It could just do with a bit more range…”
Read review

Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz EQC does a very solid job in every area, so it’s a good all-rounder. And, if tech is your thing, then it has the wow factor to steal your heart, and more importantly for Mercedes, your custom. Not quite one of the best electric cars, but well worth considering.”
Read review

Honest John

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz EQC does a very solid job in every area, so it’s a good all-rounder. And, if tech is your thing, then it has the wow-factor to steal your heart, and more importantly for Mercedes, your custom. Well worth considering.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“Electric SUV with added lustre of the three-pointed star.”
Read review

The Sunday Times

Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz EQC is refined, comfortable, solid and rapid, and surprisingly nimble for a lump of metal that weighs two and a half tons, too.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Score: 8 / 10
“Basing its new battery-electric vehicle on an existing conventional chassis means this volt powered Merc SUV is heavy and occasionally lumbering, but it drives well, is very comfortable and is somehow more than the sum of its parts. Expensive and it’s not going to save the planet, but it’s a strong contender in this rarefied class of vehicles.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“Comfy, refined and reassuringly normal car-ish. But it’s also hamstrung by not being a bespoke EV.”
Read review

Which EV?

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.5 / 10
“The powerful motor and AWD give the Mercedes-Benz EQC fantastic acceleration from the lights and, in performance terms, it will keep pace with the Polestar 2. It’s slower than almost all Teslas but it’s faster than an Audi e-tron. Climbing in and out of the driver’s seat feels more awkward than for the e-tron, but the EQC’s boot is a better shape and the vehicle has much better battery life.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: September 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

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

The Mercedes-Benz EQC gained a top five-star rating when tested by Euro NCAP in 2019, including scoring maximum points in the side-barrier impact test and the standard-fit active safety, including autonomous emergency braking, praised for its response in a wide range of situations.

Eco rating

No eco rating

The Mercedes-Benz EQC was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	254 miles	B

Electrical efficiency	Average	Score	Variation	Score
EV models	3.2 m/KWh	E

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	50	F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£423	D
Year 2	£874	D
Year 3	£1,301	D
Year 4	£1,433	D
Year 5	£1,940	D
Overall	£5,971	D

The Mercedes-Benz EQC is not the most cost-effective electric vehicle you can buy, according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon in a petrol or diesel car) is poor compared to other EVs, meaning that you don’t go as far on a full battery charge as you’d expect.

Insurance costs are likely to be high, as the EQC is ranked in the top group as set by the UK’s insurance assessor, Thatcham Research. Servicing costs are average for a car of this price and sophistication, but other EVs will be cheaper.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

As of December 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-Benz EQC to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the EQC, we’ll publish the score here.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Mercedes-Benz EQC

Overall ratingB76%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileageUnlimited miles
Battery warranty duration8 years
Battery warranty mileage100,000 miles

Mercedes’ new car warranty is fairly average, and worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as a used EQC. From new, the duration was three years, with no limit on mileage.

In addition, there’s an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.

Warranty on a used Mercedes-Benz EQC

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Mercedes-Benz EQC from an official Mercedes-Benz dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Mercedes-Benz EQC from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Mercedes-Benz EQC from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Mercedes-Benz EQC

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

Date: November 2023
Recall number: R/2023/300
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2022 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 312
Defect: The adjustment of the headlamps might not meet specifications, and blinding of oncoming traffic may not be ruled out.
Remedy: Check the adjustment and correct, if necessary.

Date: June 2022
Recall number: R/2022/135
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 3
Defect: The electrical plug connection of the headlights might not be watertight.
Remedy: Check the plug connection and headlights on the affected vehicles, and replace them if necessary.

Date: November 2021
Recall number: R/2021/376
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2016 to 01/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 50,390
Defect: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.
Remedy: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Date: November 2021
Recall number: R/2021/341
Model types: All
Build dates: 05/2019 to 12/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 3,445
Defect: The wiring harness of the electrical steering might have been damaged during the assembly process.
Remedy: Check the wiring harness on the affected vehicles and perform the required repair measures, if necessary.

Date: September 2021
Recall number: R/2021/286
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2020 to 09/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 129
Defect: The locking mechanism for the electrical connector of the side crash sensors might not meet specifications.
Remedy: Check the side crash sensors in the doors on the affected vehicles and replace them, if necessary.

Date: July 2021
Recall number: R/2021/264
Model types: All
Build dates: 05/2019 to 10/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 42
Defect: The corrosion protection of the high-voltage battery housing in the area of the connections may not be ensured over the lifetime of the vehicle.
Remedy: Rework the sealing of the high-voltage battery on the affected vehicles.

Date: May 2021
Recall number: R/2021/134
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2016 to 01/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 663,406
Defect: The behaviour of the emergency call system might not meet specifications.
Remedy: Update the software of the communication module for the emergency call system.

Date: December 2020
Recall number: R/2020/333
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2019 to 03/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 3,029
Defect: The wiring harness of the steering control unit might not have been manufactured according to specification.
Remedy: Check the wiring harness of the steering control unit on the affected vehicles and replace it if necessary.

Date: August 2020
Recall number: R/2020/197
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2020 to 03/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 1,179
Defect: The left rear seat backrest lock might not meet the specifications.
Remedy: Replace the left rear seat backrest lock on the affected vehicles.

Date: January 2020
Recall number: R/2019/355
Model types: All
Build dates: 02/2019 to 10/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 150
Defect: The bolt in the front axle differential transmission might not meet durability specifications.
Remedy: Replace the electric powertrain of the front axle on the affected vehicles.

Date: November 2019
Recall number: R/2019/337
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2018 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 2,345
Defect: Certain driver airbag modules might not be bolted onto the base plate.
Remedy: Check the driver’s airbag on the affected vehicles and replace it if necessary.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been 11 DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Mercedes-Benz EQC to address different issues. However, recall information is updated very regularly, so this may have changed.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Mercedes-Benz dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used EQC, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.