BMW iX v Audi e-tron v Mercedes EQC review & RANGE TEST!

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Which is the best all-electric SUV? Well, we’re here to find out!

Mat’s got his hands on the new BMW iX, the Audi e-tron S Sportback and the Mercedes EQC 400 to see which comes out on top as one of the best electric SUVs money can buy in 2022!

However, this isn’t your normal review. Not only will he rate & compare them based on their looks, interiors and practicality, but he’ll also be putting them up against each other to see which has the best real-world range in a series of different driving scenarios!

So how do their stats compare? Starting with the iX, it comes equipped with a 105kWh battery pack that’s supposedly good for a range of 392 miles.

Next up it’s the Mercedes EQC, with an 80kWh battery that’s good for 255 miles. And then finally it’s the e-tron S Sportback, which has an 87kWh battery pack that’s good for 235-mile range.

So on paper, it looks like it’ll be a walkover for the iX. But are the numbers deceiving? There’s only one way to find out - stick with Mat for this in-depth EV group test!

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[carwow]

Can you guess what V12 car can be heard during the verdict? COMMENT with your guess below!

[tberreth]

A few points. Matt, first, nice review! Let’s all remember that the e-tron is almost 3 years old. They were the ‘first’ non-Tesla electric SUV produced ever. I’ve been an owner for almost 3 years and we’ve been very happy with it. One thing about the Audi and the lack of one-pedal driving, when you press the brakes, it usually just does regen. it’s only when you really stomp on the brakes that the actual brake pads engage. So it’s been designed as a car that happens to be electric, and doesn’t do the one pedal thing like many. Overall, it gets the same regen as the others.

I’ve learned to live with the range, or lack of range. In the summer, I can easily get 210+ miles, whereas the winter, it’s closer to 190’ish. It does charge really fast that helps. If you need constant long range trips, then perhaps electric isn’t for you. One thing is that whatever the trip computer says in terms of range, it’s usually REALLY close to what it actually gets. Compare that to Tesla which is a guess at best. Thanks again for the comparison!

[kevinknutsen]

The E-tron does not have one-pedal driving, but when you use the brake pedal it usually only uses engine braking/regenerative breaking unless you brake really hard. So it is regenerating just as much energy into the battery, as the EQC and IX. You can use the paddle "shifters" on the wheel to adjust the three levels of engine braking but it resets every time you step on the accelerator (It also has a nice little animation on the "battery gauge", so that when you brake, the "needle" goes down below zero and shows how much energy you are recouping). I use it a lot when going downhill. You adjust the braking on the wheel, and therefore you don't need to touch the pedals at all hehe. "No pedal driving" lol. It would still be nice to have the option to one-pedal drive, but i guess it is what it is. Overall very nice car and video :)

Also; When adjusting the temperature you can just slide up and down on the + and - and it displays the temperature on the middle screen so you don't have to look at the lower screen at all :)

[adamkiddle]

For :"Like a prostate exam.." the winner of this year's Automotive Journalism award goes to Mat Watson. 🤣🤣🤣

[Mike]

I gotta say, the BMW is better than i thought, and while it's not love at first sight, the design is growing on me.

[boss_vision]

As a complete package, I prefer the Audi. Though I'd more go towards the suv version for more practicality (make use of the extra space in it). Perfect mix of looks and function. I'm a bigger Merc fan than I am Audi or BMW, so that says a lot. The Merc was ok. Of the EQ line, outside of the coming G, I like this more than the EQS.

Performance and dynamics wise, the BMW was good. However, its hard to get around the face that is the fuglier version of Mr. Woodchuck! Absolutely gopping to look at.

[ThomasT]

In the Audi you need to activate the iPedal in the menus. It's not on as standard. As standard it uses predictive ACC, so it slows it self down on known roads as eco as possible. It actually works very good.

[jomu]

Brilliant format for a review, urge you to continue with it.

[andreiiancu]

Can you please put a link with the range comparison or in the link? That would be super helpful. Tried to scroll back and forth the video to find out the ranges

[thedoc]

I have an EQC, been my company car for the past 18 months. Very nice and refined though my son throws up practically every time he travels in it. No such problem in my dad’s diesel X1. These 2tonne plus EVs are just way too floaty. Comparing the three, I don’t think there’s much in it. I was expecting the BMW to walk it, given how new it is. Biggest problem with all of them is the terrible charging network, especially here in Wales, which is why my next car is going to be a Tesla, despite the fact that I can’t stand them. Or I may even forget company cars altogether and just buy a petrol family car. Honestly, I’ve owned everything from old bangers through sports cars and now a £70k EV. Is it worth it, no, not really. I’d just save the cash and buy a nicely spec’d Octavia or Superb.

[sizakelecomfortmtshweni]

I'd go for the Audi in terms of looks...

[rmr]

Really nice! I like them so much that I just ordered a 6-cylinder BMW!

[timonberten]

Merc/Audi are almost 4 years older. They performed pretty well

[Funkyfinky]

How accurate are the indicated miles/kWh in the cars? In ICE cars I’ve owned indicated fuel consumption figures were optimistic compared to what they actually achieved after filling up at the pump. Only way to accurately test is a Bjorn type analysis?

[AminVlogs]

Drove an iX the other week and it’s absolutely brilliant.

[CrankyOldNerd]

Wish you had services in the US so I could support you guys because you make some entertaining as heck and informative videos. Your styling comparison had me laughing that I had to pause the video get my wife and show her it too.

[vetlejordal]

Whats happening with the mic in the Mercedes `city` test?

[MMM]

I have the E-tron as a company car, had the EQC as a courtesy car for two weeks and and borrowed the IX50 from my local dealer for a few hours. In my mind, the IX50 is superiour to the other two because it is way more dynamic and engaging to drive while still being very comfortable. It also has the best interiour by a mile. The only reason to buy the E-tron would be the frunk and the slightly bigger boot space (not the sportsback). I can't see any reason at all to get the EQC even though it's a perfectly nice car.

[reo.incognito]

Why have you changed the units in the brake test? I've seen you use metres in all your previous tests.

[fredericrenaud]

Hi Matt! Could you give the distance in km also? As for us Europeans miles don't make much sense...
Thank you!