Mercedes-Benz EQC v Audi e-tron v Jaguar I-PACE

There'll be an unveiling early next month, but Mercedes-Benz is still a year away from the global launch of its battery-electric SUV, the Mercedes-Benz EQC.

That hasn't stopped the three-pointed star rolling out teaser videos of the new vehicle, however. The amped-up Benz will compete directly with similarly sized electric SUVs in the form of the Jaguar I-PACE, the upcoming Audi e-tron, the BMW i5, Tesla's Model Y and a battery-electric version of the Porsche Macan.

These SUEVs hold out the promise of converting consumers to the electric-vehicle cause, but it took Tesla to pave the way with the larger Model X, and only Jaguar has met that challenge, with its series-production I-PACE. Of the vehicles listed above, the I-PACE, the EQC and the e-tron are already out in the public domain, with technical specifications officially announced.

Two of those three cars remain in hiding, but we know enough to draw some conclusions from how they'll stack up in the real world.

Mercedes-Benz EQC: Maximum of 300kW and 700Nm (with two motors)
Audi e-tron: 265kW and 561Nm or 300kW and 664Nm in boost mode
Jaguar I-PACE: 294kW and 696Nm

Winner: Audi's boost mode is only available for eight seconds – just long enough to launch and reach 100km/h with two seconds to spare. For the Mercedes a 'bogger' will be available with just one motor powering – we presume – the rear wheels. Higher performance will cost more for the Mercedes. The Jaguar has enough power and torque to outgun both the Audi and the lesser variants of the Mercedes, so the I-PACE takes the win here.

Mercedes-Benz EQC: 0-100km/h in under five seconds
Audi e-tron: 0-100km/h less than six seconds in boost mode (for eight seconds only)
Jaguar I-PACE: 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds

Winner: The 0-100km/h time for the EQC is based on the high-performance all-wheel drive variant, with two electric motors. Buyers have to pay extra for a car that can compete with the Jaguar for straight-line performance. It's another point in the Jaguar's favour.

Mercedes-Benz EQC: Lithium-ion, over 70kWh
Audi e-tron: Lithium-ion, 95kWh
Jaguar I-PACE: Lithium-ion, 90kWh

Winner: Audi takes the win here.

Mercedes-Benz EQC: 500km
Audi e-tron: Over 400km
Jaguar I-PACE: 480km

Winner: The EQC narrowly edges out the Jaguar for top billing where range is concerned.

Mercedes-Benz EQC: TBA
Audi e-tron: Around $170,000
Jaguar I-PACE: From $119,000

Winner: No one is talking price for the EQC, but a UK media outlet estimates a starting price of £55,000. Converted to Aussie dollars and with the LCT applied that would finish up around $117,000, which would undercut the Jaguar. That's possible, but unlikely. Mercedes-Benz Australia has told motoring.com.au that "we won't stray from what has worked in the past." That means high-spec models for Australia, with a purchase price to go with that. Although the Jaguar starts from $119,000 – and there are plenty of models above it in the hierarchy... to say nothing of the prices for optional extras – it's already top dog for affordability.

Mercedes-Benz EQC: September 4, 2018 (global reveal)
Audi e-tron: September 17, 2018 (global reveal)
Jaguar I-PACE: October 2018 (Australian media launch)

Winner: The Jaguar will be the first production SUV of this size to arrive in Australia for consumers to purchase.

Overall winner: Jaguar has already notched up high scores from two of our reviewers. UK correspondent John Mahoney writes that the I-PACE is the new "benchmark" for electric luxury SUVS (sorry Tesla Model X). Feann Torr concludes that the "Jaguar I-PACE takes the EV game to a far more sophisticated level than what's been offered before." Like John, Feann has no qualms about burdening the Jaguar with the 'benchmark' epithet.

So don't dismiss this car with an eye roll and a 'Watt-evs', the I-PACE is the name to beat...