For almost two decades people have asked me for advice on what gasoline or diesel sedan/SUV/crossover to buy. Now there’s a new question popping up in my messaging apps: What do you think of brand XXX’s new electric vehicle?
Now if you were shopping in the luxury automotive segment, you’re in luck because Audi, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar and Lexus now have a pure electric vehicle in their lineup. Which do I recommend? I can only make a strong argument for electric cars I’ve actually driven, and in this segment that’s only the BMW iX and the Lexus RZ. You can’t go wrong with those cars. Seriously.
But now I’m inclined to recommend the newest member of the electrified club: Mercedes-Benz. The EQ line, what Mercedes calls its electric lineup, is not yet available by the time you read this, but they’re certainly coming to the Philippines. I can recommend a Mercedes-Benz EV because I did a power slide in one. On a Formula 1 track. And it was sublime.
Let’s backtrack a bit: I was in Malaysia because Mercedes-Benz Philippines invited me and select media to drive the latest electric models available in its global lineup. Now the Philippine distributor didn’t exactly say which models will arrive, but they did say they will bring in four models. Soon. That’s how I found myself at the Sepang International Circuit for the Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience, a multi-day track experience for customers and media.
Dozens of cars, both electric and internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered, were available to drive at the event. It was almost the entire Mercedes lineup save for unicorns like the G-Class and AMG GT. But we were there for the EVs first and foremost.
All attendees were split into color-coded groups, and each group went through the usual track exercises: acceleration, braking, braking with a turn, slaloms, cornering, and our absolute favorite—following an instructor’s car for laps around Sepang.
The first exercise was a drag race with the EQ line. I was able to try the EQC 400, the EQB 350, and the EQE 350+. But first a bit of background about the naming convention of Mercedes’s EVs. If you see a Benz with an EQ badge, that means it’s fully electrified—no ICE and no hybrid powerplant either. The third letter denotes what category it is, which correlates to the original ICE lineup. So a Mercedes-Benz EQC means it’s an electrified compact crossover, in the same way that a Mercedes GLC is the name for a compact SUV/crossover. The number is not a suggestion of engine displacement, but more of an indication of the power it has—the higher the number the more power.
I noticed all the cars we’re testing here in Sepang have fully digital gauges and dual screens, which is par for the course these days in the premium category, even in our market. But I’m aware that specs can change with the units that we get.
First on the drag strip was the 288hp, 520Nm EQB 350. I waited for the instructor’s go-signal on the two-way radio. “Go!” There’s nothing in front but open track, so I mash the gas—er, accelerator pedal. There’s that familiar electric motor surge, and the EQB launches forward. It’s not a brutal push, but a linear power delivery—there are no gears after all. I used to be scared when I first tasted EV power last year, but the EQB feels composed and planted. I hit 130kph and I see the cones that signal the braking point. No surprise, the Benz stopped just as smoothly as it accelerated.
The next car I tried was the EQE 350+ (288hp and 565Nm), a midsize EV in a four-door coupe shape. “Go!” I stepped hard on the accelerator, and I heard something unexpected—revving. The EQE was generating artificial engine sounds, something that wasn’t in the EQB. The sound was okay, not irritating, but not that thrilling either. Maybe my mind was still adjusting, so I wasn’t able to form an opinion on whether I prefer engine sounds or not. The EQE 350+ felt faster than the EQB, but not by much. The EQE did have a lovely interior, with new design elements on the passenger dashboard I haven’t noticed in local Mercedes cars before.
My favorite of the bunch was the EQC 400. It was noticeably more powerful (402hp, 760Nm), and I liked its design the most. That being said, the EQC 400 has much more power on the spec sheet than the others, but it didn’t feel like that big a jump in acceleration. This reinforces my belief that acceleration is a shallow metric—good bragging rights if you’ve got it, but not really useful in the real world. I’d wager mid-range acceleration is more handy.
What I liked about the EQC was how nimble and relaxing it was. It felt confident, responsive, stable—very Chedeng. It seemed like a good size, too. Roomy enough to seat adults, but not too big outside that it becomes a bother in cramped metropolises.
After the exciting EV drag races, there were the usual track day exercises: hard braking in an A-Class (German cars still have the best brakes for me), slaloms in a GLC, and braking then turning using an A-Class again.
Then came the moment I was waiting for: Follow the Leader. A Mercedes driving instructor will take a lead car, and five Mercedes vehicles will follow him for two laps around Sepang. I got into a GLC 300 (the models were pre-selected for this exercise) and drove out of the paddock, third in the convoy behind the lead instructor’s car and another participant.
Thanks to instructions piped in via the two-way radio (we were hoping they would say, “Box, box!”) and seeing how the lead car follows the racing line, it was easy to get the hang of the Herman Tilke-designed track. Sepang is a flowing track, with two main straights and many fun corners.
The GLC 300 crossover (242hp, 370Nm) is not a track car by any means, but its compact size and German DNA still made it a fun driving companion. Sometimes gravity would pull the crossover and try to make it oversteer, but it managed body roll well and had electronic nannies to keep things in check. Soon I was able to close the gap between my GLC and the GLC in front, and we were both tailing the lead car closely (but still safely). This was hella fun.
Cars were switched, and I found myself in the EQB 350 again, but for a proper lap this time. My “mastery” of Sepang was challenged right away due to the different power band and throttle response. Balance and handling felt about the same, steering feel was similar, but in acceleration the EQB just, ahem, surged with power. I briefly saw 150kph on one of the straights.
With 520Nm being sent to four wheels (although I don’t know how the EQB splits power delivery) via twin electric motors, the EQB 350 had torque to spare. I dove into one turn confidently but the EQB had oodles more power than the GLC before it, so the tires just gave up trying to hold on. After clipping the apex the Mercedes EV began to drift, and then it became a power slide. But the car was so beautifully balanced I didn’t feel an ounce of fear. (Okay maybe half an ounce.) For a glorious two seconds I was sliding on an F1-caliber track, in a crossover powered solely by electricity. Core memory unlocked. I was still experiencing paroxysms of joy when the traction control said enough is enough and corrected my slide.
I spent the rest of the lap (not aggressively) testing the limits and capabilities of the EQB. Like the GLC, it’s not a track machine. But the DNA that courses through them is the same: solid engineering, smooth powertrains, plush cabins, and safety features that let your inner child let loose without fear of getting into serious trouble.
It’s now 4pm, and the instructors say there’s time for two or three more laps, and just choose a car. I squealed inwardly and casually sauntered over to the parked German metal in front of the paddocks. Darn it, where’s that A45 AMG I saw earlier. Then I see an empty EQE 350+. Ooh why not. At this point I was quite eager to try more EVs.
In a low sedan for the first time doing full laps of Sepang, I am reminded that gravity can only take so much cheating as in the case of crossovers. The EQE is more stable, more planted, and more quiet—save for that artificial engine sound. I dove into that same corner where I did the power slide and…nothing. Despite having marginally more torque than the EQB 350, the wider chassis and the lower center of gravity kept the EQE’s composure intact. I felt the tires strain a little and chirp a bit, but all four wheels kept moving predictably. So I just enjoyed one more lap around Sepang on a perfect sunny afternoon.
I flew out of Malaysia with a better appreciation of EVs in general. For us middle-aged folk, it’s hard to shed the love for petrol, of which Mercedes contributed greatly through the decades. We still get excited when we come across Benzes we love.
But the world is changing, and electrification is coming—and there are still big questions about the latter. However some things remain the same: quality, heritage, luxury, and performance. These are traits that are carried over when the EV transition happens.
Mercedes-Benz may be the latecomer in our market when it comes to premium EVs. But if I were to be asked now what luxury EV I would recommend. I’d say good things come to those who wait. Or as my colleague Ardie Lopez might say, EQ tests can be hard.
