Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic

The Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4Matic completes the trinity of Mercedes-Benz EQ range in Malaysia, consisting of the EQB e-SUV and EQS e-Saloon.

Fully-imported, this e-SUV is an electric vehicle (EV) version of the regular GLC, offered in one variant, the EQC 400 4Matic.

Priced at MYR 388,888 (otr/uninsured) each purchase is covered by a four-year/unlimited mileage warranty, and an eight-year/160,000 KM battery warranty.

Dashboard of the EQC400 4Matic is elegant and sporty. The two-tone layout features Artico man-made leather with metallised-look finish and piping in Rose Gold, and an Anthracite carbon-fibre-look as a detailing finish. 

The AMG Line interior trim donates a multifunction sports steering wheel in Nappa leather, with flattened bottom section and perforated grip area.

Part of the MBUX Multimedia System, it features a 10.25-Inch fully digital instrument cluster with a head-up display that has three display styles (Modern Classic/Sport/Electric Art).

Premium and comfortable, AMG Line upholstery of the five-seater e-SUV covers the equipped sport seats in Black Nappa leather.

Front seats feature power-adjustment with memory functions, and a four-way lumbar support. 

It offers generous head, shoulder and legroom, thus front and rear occupants get ample space. The space is very generous due to the stocky and bulbous design of the body. 

It has numerous storage areas including large sized door pockets, a cavern storage space, and a decent-sized glove box.

There are four cup holders, two located in the front centre console, while the other two are located in the rear.

It features one 12-V power socket up front and one in the boot, a wireless charging pad up front, and two USB-C ports in the rear.

Boot space is up to 590-Litres, expandable up to 1,060-Litres with the rear seats folded. The boot features a hands-free powered tailgate function.

Weighing in at 2,175 KG, the EQC400 4Matic stands at 4,761 MM long, 1,884 MM wide, 1,624 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,873 MM.

It exudes a solid and sporty exterior adorning the AMG Line trim, giving it a front look that’s smooth yet strong in character.

In a jet wing design, its AMG-specific front apron has air intakes with trim parts in chrome, inserts in high-gloss black, and visible and functional air curtains.

Complementing all those is an AMG-specific Black Panel open radiator grille in a twin-blade design and surrounds in high-gloss black. 

Unique, the grille features EQ’s light strip design that connects the lighting and grille setup into a one-piece layout.

Simple sporty and elegant, the rear features curvy smooth contours, the AMG-specific rear apron comes with visible air outlets (non-functional), diffuser insert with four aero ribs in black and chrome trim elements.

Main highlight is the same characteristic EQ lighting design, stretching the tailgate’s width, matching the front.

It gets a set of sharp and pointed headlamps, combined into a one-piece look via the integrated light strip design.

They are full Multibeam LED units with Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and feature Adaptive Highbeam Assist with 84 diodes on each side.

Tail lamps are full LED units. The slim light strip design matches the front, providing a cohesive modern outlook to the width emphasising back layout.

The side mirrors are electronically adjusted and folded with turn- and blind spot-indicators, and auto-dimming.

It rides on a set of 20-Inch multi-spoke, Tantalite Grey with a high-sheen finish, AMG light alloy rims, wrapped in factory standard, Pirelli Scorpion Verde 235/50 R20 (front) and 255/45 R20 (rear) tyres.

The EQC400 4Matic gets the Driving Assistant package that comes with Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Speed Limit Assist, Extended Automatic Restart In Traffic Jams, Route-Based Speed Adaptation With End Of Traffic Jam Function, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist With SOS, Emergency Lane Function, Active Brake Assist, Cornering And Cross-Traffic Function, Congestion Emergency Braking Function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Exit Warning Function, Pedestrian Warning Function In The Area Around Zebra Crossings, and PRE-SAFE PLUS. Others are Adaptive Cruise Control With Steering Assist And Stop & Go, Parking Assist Parktronic, 360-Degree Parking Camera, and Adaptive Highbeam Assist.

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver and passenger, driver knee, front side, front and rear curtain), five three-point seat belts with reminders, two ISOFIX (outer rear passenger seats), six front and six rear parking sensors, 360-degree parking camera, blind spot information system, hill start assist, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Autonomous Braking System with full auto brake and PRE-SAFE brake, interior monitoring system, tyre pressure monitoring system, Tirefit, security alarm, and immobiliser.

There are five drive modes available, e.g., Comfort, Eco, Eco Assist, Sport, and Max Range.

Part of the MBUX Multimedia System, it sees a 10.25-Inch digital infotainment display, installed with the MBUX Interior Assistant. 

The setup comes with a touchpad, voice, gesture and steering controls, and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Navigation Package consisting of pre-installed navigation services on hard disc and live traffic information, and Mercedes me connect.

The Driving Assistant package will make long journeys less tiresome, while the other accompanying systems will make manoeuvring the fairly stocky e-SUV an easier task. 

Audio is by a 13-speaker, 590-W, Burmester surround sound system. 

The EQC400 4Matic harbours two electric motors. One e-motor at the front axle and another at the rear axle produces a total output of 408 HP/300-KW and 765 NM of torque.

It gets a single-speed fixed ratio automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to all four wheels (4WD) via the fully variable 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

It can go from 0 to 100 KM/H in 5.1 seconds and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 180 KM/H. 

Powering the e-motors is an 80-KWH Lithium-Ion battery, providing between 373 KM to 437 KM (WLTP) of driving range.

Using AC 11-KW charging, it fully charges the battery in seven and a half hours, while DC charging at 110-KW from 10% to 80% state of charge (SoC) takes around 40 minutes. 

Included with the vehicle is a five-metre charging cable. 

The EQC400 4Matic has Keyless Go comfort package and hands-free access, Easy-Pack tailgate (contactless), Thermotronic triple-zone auto-climate control, multi-function steering wheel, steering tilt and telescopic functions, auto-dimming interior and exterior rear-view mirrors, power adjustable with lumbar support and memory front seats, roller sunshades for both rear doors, load compartment package and luggage net, surround-view camera, six front and six rear parking sensors, rain sensing headlights and wipers, and auto high-beam.

It is very spacious, extremely comfortable, and the handling is firm. Overall, it has a powerful and smooth e-motor delivery, and the ride quality is satisfactory. 

Good sound insulation with most of the NVH aspects accounted for. Part of the aeroacoustic measures used at reducing wind, tyre and road noise includes the installation of heat- and noise-insulating acoustic glass.

Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable even when cruising through bumpy asphalts.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4Matic is built with a sophisticatedly sporty appeal, while still being able to offer space and practicality.

Its striking exterior is very well designed, with the sharp and seamless lines donating a powerful overall contour, emphasising its wide body scale. 

Then, the quality of the equipment and materials installed inside of the car is also impressive with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing. 

Overall, offering more than just good looks, it also provides an absolute driving pleasure with its fully electric drive.