2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC Changes, Dimensions, MSRP – Although Mercedes’ electric SUV is more opulent than its competitors, Tesla’s range is superior. Perhaps the most talked-about feature of each new electric vehicle is its complete driving range. However, when the 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC is unveiled in the US the following year, it won’t be the main factor.
Mercedes is instead concentrating on its core competency, which is producing vehicles that appear truly more luxurious than those in their class. The EQC will, of course, still have range and competitive power. However, the driving experience is what distinguishes it from the Teslas and Jaguars of the globe. 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC Changes
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
The Mercedes EQC is a curved SUV in the small to medium size class, just like the Audi E-Tron, with which it will be directly competing. It is a little higher overall, but it has the same 113.1-inch wheelbase as the little GLC-Class crossover.
The EQC doesn’t instantly jump out as a brand-new or electric Mercedes-Benz car, for better or worse. Even if the exterior is a little more stylish than on the company’s previous models, the sleek blue highlights on the headlight housings are a subtle nod to the electric inside of the vehicle. However, if you were to put a photo of the EQC in front of me and tell me, “This is the next-generation,” I’m more inclined to believe.
The Mercedes AMG Line style, which has a distinctive grille and a more strongly sculpted lower fascia, is what the EQC is sporting in this photo. It appears far less like an EV under this disguise, which is, in my opinion, the most alluring tactic.
The EQC might not be for you if you’re the type of person who wants an electric car because of the statement it makes when you drive. For my part, I’m relieved that Mercedes’ electrified message doesn’t have to be conveyed by garish doors or odd design. I must admit, though, that I’m not very excited about the prospect of each US-spec EQC having an illuminated version of the company’s three-pointed star insignia.
The EQC’s cabin, which exhibits a comparable exercise in restraint, is almost too familiar. With a massive flip-up panel in the center that conceals two cup holders, the center console appears to have been taken straight from the GLC300. Mercedes designers claim that the rose-gold embellishments on the vents are intended to resemble the copper hue of the battery system’s cabling, and I like them. The brushed metal embellishments beneath the infotainment panel and on the doors are very lovely. For better or worse, though, the EQC’s cabin isn’t really original or inventive.
However, the inside is just as excellent as you would anticipate from an SUV with a three-pointed star on the bonnet. The quilted leather seats are similarly supportive and supple, and every surface feels far better than it does. The inside of the EQC is more luxurious than that of any of its competitors listed above.
The cargo hold is big enough to fit all of their bags and carry-on belongings, and four average-sized passengers can sprawl out there with ease. Even though the final US-spec cargo dimensions have not yet been determined, you may safely use the EQC as a point of reference because it is not too distant from the GLC.
Mercedes’ MBUX multimedia system, which is shown on two 10.2-inch dash-mounted displays, is the primary component of the EQC’s in-car technology. With a few EQC-specific features added, such panels that display your energy consumption and range as well as navigational data for local charging stations, MBUX is the same here as it is in any of the company’s most recent models. Regarding GPS, all EQCs come equipped with Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
With Mercedes, you have a great deal of control over MBUX. You may use the touchpad on the center console or the thumbpads on the steering wheel, or you can touch the center screen. It may be activated by just saying “Hey, Mercedes” to the AI assistant. The AI still seems a bit too quick to jump in and ask, “How can I help you?” even when I use the phrase “Mercedes” just once during a chat. However, it’s convenient because I can just ask, “Hey, Mercedes, where’s the closest charging station?” and a list of alternatives will appear, saving me the work of navigating to the nearest one. 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC Changes
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC Specs
Engine & Performance
Other than its electric engine, the EQC moves in a manner akin to that of earlier Mercedes SUVs. Even in Sport driving mode, the chassis tuning leans more toward comfort than precise handling, but the EQC won’t break down if you throw the car into a curve.
Because of its low center of gravity, the crossover feels planted and solid, and its relatively mild steering provides enough sensation through the wheel to keep you informed of the road level conditions. In comparison to a Tesla Model X or Jaguar I-Pace, the EQC provides a more compliant ride despite having the biggest 21-inch wheel and tire combination. The EQC drives like it ought to given its function in life.
You can make every mile with a few clever ideas, the first of which is rather easy (and efficient). There is a clear stop point around halfway through the journey, and the throttle’s resistance substantially rises when the EQC is in Eco drive mode. By doing this, you may avoid over-accelerating, which quickly depletes the battery. If you need more speed than this mode provides, you can push the throttle harder to pass the stop point.
After then, there are a number of regenerative braking choices. The vehicle drives like a typical gas-powered vehicle while idling ahead in “D” mode. Using the paddles on the steering wheel, you may alternate between the D- and D– modes and adjust the regen as you prefer. Despite being a little too aggressively tuned for smooth operation, D-feels like the greatest choice for real one-pedal driving (though I suppose you would get accustomed to it if you acquired an EQC).
The EQC’s official EPA range estimate is still a ways off because it won’t be arriving in the US until early 2026. Mercedes claims that, depending on the vehicle’s specifications, the EQC can go anywhere from 277 to 293 miles on a full charge during Europe’s NEDC test cycle. However, keep in mind that the NEDC estimates are infamously optimistic, and there is no reliable method to translate this figure into a realistic forecast for the US.
Last year, when I drove a right-seat EQC prototype from Mercedes’ research and development facility in Sunnyvale, California, to the Big Sur coastal region and back, I got the finest glimpse of the SUV’s practical range. With four passengers, the EQC went 228 miles before needing to be recharged; the battery showed a 7% charge at the conclusion of the day. Even though Bastian Schult, the engineer who performed the test, wasn’t exactly a slowpoke, he was undoubtedly driving with an eye toward maximum range.
Because there are too many factors to consider, Mercedes officials will not comment on the EQC’s US-spec range. However, if the final EPA estimate is between 200 and 220 miles, don’t be surprised. This will place the EQC closer to the Audi E-Tron (204 miles) and behind the Tesla Model X 75D (238 miles) and Jaguar I-Pace (234 miles), in addition to the longer-range 100D and the upcoming, 325-mile long-range Tesla variants.
The difference between 204, 228, 234, and 238 miles is essentially insignificant for those who have made the decision to live an EV lifestyle. These people are not constantly depleting their batteries because they can charge at home or at work. Mercedes management is thus not very concerned about the ultimate EPA figure. 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC Changes
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC Fuel Economy
A 7.7-kilowatt internal charger and an 80-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery power the 2026 EQC400. The EQC can recharge its battery in around ten hours using a Level 2 wall-box charger, the same one you’ll have installed at home. According to Mercedes, a 110-kilowatt DC rapid charging system could finish an 80% charge in under 40 minutes. You won’t be shocked to hear that the charging outlet is situated behind the back door on the passenger side of the SUV, similar to a normal gas tank, considering the EQC’s pretty traditional design.
The enormous EQC, which is powered by an 80-kWh battery and generates 402 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque via an asynchronous motor at each axle, enables the SUV to have all-wheel drive. The stated off-the-line acceleration time is 4.8 seconds to 60 mph, which is comparable to a Mercedes-AMG GLC43. One of the most enjoyable features of EVs is their quick torque delivery, which is addicting. The Mercedes delivers it with a steady, smooth power surge without any sluggishness or wheelspin. The EQC mostly employs front-wheel drive when power demands are low; the bigger rear motor only engages when necessary.
The quietness of this engine is among its most remarkable features. Yes, I am aware that EVs are naturally quiet, but Mercedes went above and above in creating the EQC by reducing the noise produced by the electric motor to the lowest possible level. You can hear a slight whirr while you’re speeding with the radio off, but that’s all. One of the quietest motoring experiences available today is made possible by the cabin’s considerable insulation, which also blocks out wind and road noise.
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC Safety Features
Lastly, you may choose D Auto, which slows the car using regenerative braking when you get close to a lead car by using the forward-facing sensors on the car. Consider it analogous to a reasonably adaptable cruise control system: Imagine that you are traveling at 70 mph on a highway when you approach a car that is traveling at 65 mph and you hit the throttle.
When you select the D Auto option, the EQC will automatically slow down without your need to use the brake pedal thanks to regeneration. However, if that slower automobile moves out of your way, it won’t increase to your cruising speed again.
Blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance are all included in the EQC’s Driver Assistance Package if you want the finest.
2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC Release Date & Price
Furthermore, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz EQC’s superb interiors and driving characteristics more than make up for any range issues. The luxury will probably cost a little more than a Jaguar I-Pace ($69,500) or Audi E-Tron ($74,800). However, that also applies to all other Mercedes models.
Even while the exact pricing won’t be revealed until the next year, I anticipate the EQC will be more in line with the $83,000 MSRP of the Tesla Model X, less any possible discounts. Even while the Tesla may still have a longer range than the Mercedes, the Mercedes’ new EQC could be a suitable option for anyone who isn’t sold on the Tesla brand because of its superior on-road performance and far more luxurious cabin.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
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