Mercedes EQC vs. Audi e-tron vs. Jaguar I-Pace: which is the best electric SUV?
The EV market is hotting up with an influx of electrified crossovers - here’s how three of the best compare
There has never been a better time to jump into the world of electric cars, with some of the biggest carmakers already having some form of electrified model in their showrooms.
Tesla’s saloons are arguably the most recognisable electric cars, partly thanks to the Twitter antics of co-founder and CEO Elon Musk.
But there have been a number of new releases from rival manufacturers over the past 18 months that have turned up the heat in the growing market.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Jaguar’s I-Pace, for instance, was a critical hit when it launched early last year and it has since been joined by the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi e-tron in 2019.
So which of the three comes out on top?
Prices
At £64,495, the Jaguar I-Pace is the cheapest of the bunch. Second place goes to the £65,640 Mercedes EQC, while the e-tron is the most expensive at £71,490.
It’s worth noting that the UK Government offers a £3,500 grant towards purchasing an electric car, though most companies factor that into their car’s list price.
Winner: Jaguar I-Pace
Battery range and performance
On paper, the I-Pace offers the greatest battery range out of the three SUVs. Jaguar quotes a range of 298 miles under the new WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure), which is considered an accurate representation of real-world driving.
Putting the claim to the test, Top Gear drove the car on a 291-mile trip from London to Land’s End in Cornwall - leaving the car with about 11% of charge to spare.
However, that’s only if you turn off the air conditioning, radio, heads-up display, lane assistance, wipers and headlights while “crawling along”, the motoring news site says. In the real world, drivers can expect a range below 200 miles.
Critics have yet to put the Mercedes’ 259-mile range nor the Audi’s 241 miles to the test as extensively as Top Gear has done with the I-Pace. Given that both the EQC’s and e-tron’s range were measured using WLTP, the I-Pace is the one that takes the win here.
Winner: Jaguar I-Pace
Practicality
As these are electric cars, two of them offer storage compartments both at the rear and under the bonnet. One, sadly, only comes with a rear boot to stow your luggage and groceries.
The Audi offers a boot space of 605 litres at the rear and 60 litres under the bonnet. The I-Pace comes with a larger boot at 656 litres, though its front compartment is less than half the size at 27 litres, notes CarBuyer.
But the Mercedes EQC has by far the smallest storage options. Not only does the rear boot have only 500 litres of capacity, but there’s no compartment under the bonnet for smaller items.
With the I-Pace and e-tron being evenly matched, we call this a draw, with the Mercedes a distant third.
Winner: Jaguar I-Pace and Audi E-tron
On the road
All three models have been a hit with the critics in terms of driving.
Auto Express says of the I-Pace, “silent, sharp dynamics, beautifully built cabin and rock bottom running costs are just a small part of the car’s unrivalled appeal”. The EV’s steering is a particular highlight, while its low centre of gravity gives it “a sense of agility missing in many rivals”.
The EQC, meanwhile, gets high praise from Autocar. “Electric cars simply don’t come any more refined, well-appointed, luxurious or laid-back than this,” the magazine says. “Find a mode in which you can drive the car confidently, by contrast, and it could hardly be more relaxing, pleasant or easy-going.”
While the e-tron also impresses, Evo says it feels heavy compared to its rivals. “It certainly can’t beat the Jaguar i-Pace for agility, despite having its batteries set low in the chassis.”
So the e-tron misses out on the top spot here, meaning it’s a two-horse race between the I-Pace and the Mercedes EQC.
Winner: Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQC
Verdict
Whichever model you pick, all three manufacturers have built strong contenders not just in the electric market - but also in the ultra-competitive SUV sector.
But there can be only one winner, and the honours go to the Jaguar I-Pace.
The Mercedes EQC puts up a good fight but is let down by practicality issues, while the Audi e-tron seems to mirror the same weighty driving characteristics of a conventional combustion-engined SUV.
The I-Pace, meanwhile, is the cheapest of the bunch, offers the best range and is more likely to put a smile on drivers’ faces on a twisty section of B-road.
Overall winner: Jaguar I-Pace
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
Silversea cruise review: a Central and North American adventure
The Week Recommends An incredible journey featuring cultural exploration, cooking classes, comfort and more
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
Are plug-in hybrids better for America's climate goals?
Talking Points The car industry considers a 'slower, but more plausible path' to reducing emissions
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
EV market slowdown: a bump in the road for Tesla?
Talking Point The electric vehicle market has stalled – with worrying consequences for carmakers
By The Week UK Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published