Mercedes-Benz slashes entry price of EQC by $17,000

August 25, 2021September 1, 2021 Toby Hagon 3872 Views

Mercedes-Benz is adding a new entry-level model to its EQC family, priced from $124,300 plus on-road costs.

The new Mercedes-EQ model is $17,000 cheaper than the EQC that has been available since late 2019, a model that will be rebranded as the EQC400 Sport when the updated cars begin arriving very late in 2021 (pre-orders have already begun).

Both share the same dual-motor all-wheel drive system – badged as 4Matic – that is packaged into the basic structure of the Mercedes-Benz GLC mid-sized SUV, but the new base level EQC has less equipment.

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Key features that are missing from the new base model EQC include the panoramic sunroof, head-up display, tinted rear windows and the AMG Line styling package that includes a different grille and wheels.

Instead, the EQC400 gets 11-spoke 20-inch alloys.

New base model Mercedes-Benz EQC400 — The new EQC400 Sport steps up to 21-inch wheels while the more affordable base car (pictured) gets 11-spoke 20-inch alloys

The base EQC also does without leather, instead trimmed in Artico that looks like leather but doesn’t involve any cows.

All of those features continue in the EQC400 Sport, which now steps up to 21-inch wheels (previously 20-inch).

Despite trimming some big ticket items, the new EQC400 is otherwise packed full of techy goodness including smart key entry, heated front seats, ambient lighting, electrically adjustable front seats, dual-zone ventilation, powered tailgate, 360-degree camera.

It also gets the same dual 10.25-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster and the other a touchscreen for infotainment functions.

Both also share the same safety package, including blind zone warning, traffic sign assist, active cruise control and auto emergency braking.

The new $124,300 base model EQC gives the three-pointed-star brand more firepower against the upcoming BMW iX3 (priced from $114,900) that is the car’s most direct rival. It’ll also give the EQC added appeal against the upcoming BMW iX (from $135,900) as well as the Audi e-Tron ($136,472).

Both the regular EQC and newly-named EQC Sport continue with an 80kWh battery that provides a WLTP driving range of 417km, or somewhere slightly less of that in the real world.

Charging for both can be done at up to 11kW using a home wallbox or 110kW when using a DC fast charger.

The promises an 80 percent charge in as little as 40 minutes using a DC charger supplying at least 110kW. A full charge on a home powerpoint would take almost 40 hours.

Both EQC variants also get a five-year Chargefox subscription that allows free charging at any Chargefox outlet.

What was previously the plain-old EQC is now the EQC Sport, with AMG Line design tweaks including a different grille and 21-inch wheels

The EQC400 is powered by dual electric motors that make a combined 300kW and 760Nm. Acceleration to 100km/h is claimed to take 5.1 seconds and the top speed is 180km/h.

The EQC gets coil spring rear suspension and air springs at the back; while most rivals have adjustable dampers to tweak the ride and handling on the run, the EQC does without, instead having a comfort-focused suspension setup.

The EQC isn’t a big seller for Mercedes-Benz – it has averaged about 20 sales a month in Australia – but sales are slowly growing as Australia gets hold of more supply.

Mercedes-Benz says a larger shipment should boost sales for the second half of 2021 ahead of the arrival of the updated model range very late in the year.