Spec comparison: Audi e-tron vs Jaguar I-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz EQC

Audi has launched its first all-electric vehicle in India, the Audi e-tron, in two powertrain options and two body styles, with prices ranging from Rs 99.9 lakh to Rs 1.17 crore, ex-showroom. While the Audi e-tron was first showcased in India in 2019, before the Mercedes-Benz EQC was launched in 2020, and before the Jaguar I-Pace was launched this year, it's taken a while for the car to make it to our shores. Now that the most popular EV in certain markets, like Norway, for example, is here, here's how the Audi e-tron compares to its rivals in size, features, powertrain specifications and price. 

Audi e-tron vs Jaguar I-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz EQC: Dimensions 

Right from the get-go, the Audi e-tron is at an advantage versus its rivals, being the largest of the three in terms of its overall footprint on the road, coming in just slightly smaller than the flagship Audi Q8 SUV. At 4,901mm long, 1,935mm wide, 1,629mm tall and on a 2,928mm long wheelbase, the Audi e-tron does definitely have size on its side, though the Jaguar I-Pace is the widest of the three.

The Jaguar I-Pace sits on a longer wheelbase, at 2,990mm, which is testament to its packaging (being sat on a bespoke electric platform), since it's the smallest of the three in overall length, its dimensions clocking in at 4,682mm long, 2,011mm wide, and 1,566mm tall - the Jag's also the lowest to the ground. The Mercedes-Benz EQC clocks in at 4,762mm long, 1,884mm wide, and 1,624mm tall, on a 2,873mm long wheelbase. 

Audi e-tron vs Jaguar I-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz EQC: Features 

As standard, the Audi e-tron is offered with Matrix LED headlights, adaptive air suspension, panoramic sunroof, 4-zone climate control, and the fastest onboard AC charger at 22kW. The Audi e-tron is offered in three variants, which span a powertrain option and a body style option - the e-tron 50, e-tron 55 and e-tron Sportback 55. The Jaguar I-Pace on the other hand is offered in a single powertrain option, but three trim levels. Also, on the Jaguar I-Pace, for example, air suspension is an optional extra across the range, and while many of the features match up for the top-end HSE variant, the I-Pace also offers ventilated seats. The Mercedes-Benz EQC is offered in one fully-loaded EQC400 variant. 

Audi e-tron vs Jaguar I-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz EQC: Powertrain 

While all three electric luxury SUVs boast of largely similar specifications, of twin-electric motors and all-wheel drive capabilities, the Audi e-tron shares the title of most powerful EV in India with the Mercedes-Benz EQC, with both cars being rated at 408PS of power versus the Jaguar I-Pace's 400PS, though the Mercedes-Benz EQC produces the most torque of the three, at 700Nm, versus the Audi's 664Nm and the Jaguar's 696Nm. The Jaguar I-Pace should be the quickest accelerating EV, with a claimed 0-100kmph time of 4.8s, versus the Mercedes-Benz EQC's 5.1s, and the Audi e-tron's 5.7s. In our 0-100kmph testing, the Jaguar I-Pace managed 5.0s, and the Audi e-tron managed 5.5s. 

Audi e-tron vs Jaguar I-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz EQC: Battery capacity, charging 

The Audi e-tron offers the largest battery pack in its 55 quattro variant, at 95kWh of electrical charge capacity, compared to the Jaguar I-Pace's 90kWh capacity, and the Mercedes-Benz EQC's 80kWh battery. There's also the Audi e-tron 50 variant, with a 71kWh battery capacity. In terms of driving range, the claimed range on the Mercedes-Benz EQC stands at 370-414km according to the NEDC tests, while the Audi e-tron stands at 359-484km according to WLTP, and the Jaguar I-Pace at 470km according to WLTP. For reference, the WLTP tests are widely considered as more representative of actual real-world driving than the NEDC testing criteria. 

As for charging, the Audi e-tron packages the fastest onboard charger at 11kW versus the other two being supplied with a 3.4kW charger, with Audi also supplying the fastest wallbox charger at 22kW, versus the 7.4kW charger for the other two. The Mercedes-Benz EQC has been updated with an 11kW wallbox charger in certain markets. Accordingly, the Audi e-tron takes 4.5 hours for a 0-80 per cent charge, versus the EQC which manages it in 11 hours, and the I-Pace which does it in 14 hours. At a 50kW DC charging station, the EQC with its smaller battery charges from 0-80 per cent in 90 minutes, the I-Pace in 1.5 hours, and the e-tron in under 2 hours. 

Audi e-tron vs Jaguar I-Pace vs Mercedes-Benz EQC: Price

With a starting price of Rs 99.9 lakh, the Audi e-tron 50 quattro variant undercuts the others by a few lakh rupees, with the Mercedes-Benz EQC priced at Rs 1.04 cr, and the Jaguar I-Pace priced between Rs 1.06-1.12 cr. The top-end e-tron 55 variant is priced at Rs 1.16 cr and the e-tron 55 Sportback comes in at Rs 1.17 cr, all prices ex-showroom.