2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC: US Pricing Confirmed For Electric SUV
Mercedes-Benz has priced up its first all-electric SUV, the 2020 EQC, confirming it'll start from under $70k when it arrives in the US – and that's before federal tax incentives. Announced more than a year ago, the ECQ isn't expected to arrive on North American shores until early 2020.
As we discovered on our first-drive of the EQC, though, it may very well be worth waiting for. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz ECQ 400 4MATIC packs 402 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque, courtesy of twin electric motors – one for each axle.
The front motor has been optimized for efficiency, when the electric SUV is under low to medium load. The rear motor, meanwhile, is intended for performance driving. Added together, it makes for an EV that can be surprisingly agile when pushed, yet still delivers that sybaritic Mercedes glide when required.
Now, we know how much it'll set you back. The 2020 EQC 400 4MATIC will be priced from $67,900 in the US, plus $995 destination. That's before the $7,500 federal tax incentive, and any other state incentives and rebates that might apply.
The five-seater will do 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and keep going to an electronically limited top speed of 112 mph. Mercedes is being coy with overall range from the 80 kWh battery, however, presumably because the EQC hasn't been through US EPA testing as yet. In Europe, it's rated for 471 km (around 293 miles), though in the US it's likely to be closer to 200 given the difference in testing protocols.
To make sure you don't run out on the move, Mercedes has upgraded its MBUX infotainment system to suit an EV. There's EQ Optimized Navigation along with Mercedes me Charge, that the automaker says can calculate the most efficient route for a trip, and factor in any chargers required along the way. Through the infotainment, Mercedes claims, US drivers will have access to more than 80-percent of the networked chargers in the country, and pay directly from the dashboard.
On a DC fast charger, the 2020 ECQ should be able to go from 10-percent to 80-percent in 40 minutes.
While pricing may start at just shy of $68k, Mercedes will unsurprisingly have a number of trims to coax more cash from your wallet. The entry-level will be the 2020 ECQ Progressive, which gets DYNAMIC SELECT with EQ optimized drive modes, dual 10.25-inch infotainment screens, 64-color ambient lighting, Car-to-X communication, and LED intelligent headlamps with high-beam assist.
The 2020 EQC Premium will add the AMG Line Exterior Package, parking assistance with a 360-degree camera, wireless charging and NFC pairing for your phone, and natural-grain wood trim inside. It'll also have the aero package, which helps cut the SUV's coefficient of drag.
Finally, the 2020 ECQ Advanced will get everything from the Premium, and add leather seats, heated outboard rear seats, ventilation for the front seats, and the Driver Assistance Package. The latter includes adaptive cruise control with predictive speed adjustment.
Production of the ECQ is already underway, and Mercedes says to expect the SUV to arrive in US dealerships in early 2020.