Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric Review

Introduction - new electric Mercedes GLC with EQ Technology

The all-new, electric Mercedes GLC is here! You certainly can't miss it - or that enormous grille. This is Mercedes’ mid-sized electric SUV, and it replaces the old Mercedes EQC. 

That means it’s a rival to the BMW iX3, Volvo EX60, Audi Q6 E-tron and Porsche Macan Electric as well as the new BMW iX3. It will also have to face the Tesla Model Y, Polestar 4 and various new Chinese rivals like the BYD Sealion 7. 

We went to see it when it was revealed in 2025, and now I’ve been out for to drive the new electric Merc GLC to find out if it can really compete with the iX3 and Volvo EX60, or if the Merc is all grille and no substance.

Speaking of grilles, I imagine you’ve noticed how big this one is? Mercedes says the new GLC EQ Technology is a return to its classic style of big, upright grilles and it will be used on all is future electric cars – so we’d better get used to it. Just as BMW starts toning down its nose, Mercedes ramps it up. I think I like it, even if it is a bit brash. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment on the video.

You can have an illuminated version as an option, with a total of 942 polycarbonate backlit dots. This can even be animated to make pretty patterns. The rear lights can also do many of the same tricks, performing a little light show as the car is locked and unlocked, and always displaying an illuminated Mercedes star.

This might help distract from the fact that the rest of the styling is pretty conventional, but there are some power bulges on bonnet to add a bit of interest, as well as a rear spoiler too. It's a bit predictable, I guess, but not in a bad way – in fact, I think the fact that it’s not a terribly brash car (other than the grille, I suppose) may be something that a lot of buyers will like. After all, the more subdued styling of the Volvo EX60 is also rather gorgeous, I think, so maybe Merc’s bold grille but otherwise understated styling will really appeal to all the right buyers. 

The electric GLC is already available to order in the UK as the Mercedes GLC 400 4Matic, but there will be other variants to follow – including, I’d hazard a guess, a single motor model with slightly longer range. 

Range, battery and charging 

The electric GLC EQ Technology gets a 94.5kWh usable NMC battery, which is built into the all-new MB-EA platform. That’s the same platform that will also be used in the new electric Mercedes C-Class next year, as well as in a baby G Class SUV.

Claimed WLTP range on the Mercedes GLC 400 4Motion is up to 406 miles, which is a way behind rivals like the BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60 but is very competitive with alternatives like the Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron. The Mercedes has a smaller battery than the BMW iX3, though, so claimed efficiency is almost identical. While details aren’t confirmed, there is very likely to be longer range versions of the electric GLC arriving in the next year or so, likely bring a range of around 450 miles. 

Real-world range shouldn’t drop too much in winter, either, as the GLC uses a new heat pump, which is compact and super-efficient. It grabs waste heat from the battery, motors and the surrounding air to warm you and the battery if needed. 

I drove the electric GLC in warmer temperatures, and while I’d like more time to see how it fares in different conditions I’d estimate a real-world range of between 300- and 380 miles from the EQC 400 4Matic - depending on the weather and how you’re driving, of course!

As you’d expect, the GLC gets 800V electrical architecture (which is effectively an industrial-strength electrical system that allows for much faster charging than the 400V charging used in most EVs) that allows for ultra-rapid charging of up to 330kW. Merc claims that’s good enough for an additional 160 miles in around 10 minutes in ideal conditions, provided you’re plugged into a powerful enough rapid charging station. 

A 100 mile top-up from one of the 400V 150kW rapid charging stations that you find in most services in the UK will take around 15- to 20 minutes. Most owners will do the majority of their charging from a 7kW home car charger, which will deliver a 10-100% charge in around 14- to 15 hours. 

Practicality and boot space 

The electric Mercedes GLC gets a big boot of 570 litres, which is 50 more than the BMW iX3, but is a bit smaller than the boot you get in the new Volvo EX60. Still, it’s a pretty huge boot that also has a fairly low load lip and will be great if you’ve got dogs to load, or a chunky buggy. 

As an added bonus there's a huge 128-litre frunk with touch control, so you just press the badge and don’t have to faff around with pull levers in the interior of the car to release it, which I really do like. It always annoys me when you have to rummage around in the footwell of a car in order to open the frunk.

There’s also loads of space in the rear seats, so even if you’re ferrying lanky teens around (like I am!) then they’ll have loads of space to get comfy. If you’re thinking of switching to this electric GLC after having the petrol or diesel GLC previously, you’ll notice that there’s a fair bit more space. The electric powertrain and EV-specific new platform means that Mercedes has squeezed in a longer wheelbase, so (despite the battery-powered Mercedes GLC measuring much the same length at 4.85m long) there’s nearly 50mm more legroom in the back and 46mm of additional headroom. Naturally, there’s also charging ports, climate control and a centre rear armrest. 

You even get a standard full-length panoramic glass roof on every GLC model, which you can shade in different sections. It’s absolutely gorgeous and really makes the cabin feel light and airy – and it’s great that it’s standard, as a lot of rivals only have a pano roof on high-spec trims or as a pricey optional extra.

Towing capacity is up to 2,400kg for the electric GLC, which isn’t bad at all and could make this a good electric SUV for those who want to tow a caravan or horsebox.  

Interior, design and technology 

This is where the GLC gets really interesting. Mercedes really has thrown everything in here, filling it with tech and features which it says will make it feel like a ‘home away from home’. 

The TV is as big as the one in my house! The company clearly want to win the war of the screens, and has ‘pillar to pillar’ hyperscreen displays, all powered by a central ‘superbrain’ called MB.OS. 

The total size of screen is a whopping 39.1 inches, and it has all sorts of different modes, including a fake aquarium, should you want it. 

Physical switches are back, too – unlike in the Mercedes CLA – and the optional glass roof has a snazzy electronic shade which can be programmed to have Mercedes logos and stars displayed, if you wish. The seats are especially comfortable and supportive, and the long wheelbase means there is loads of room in the back – much more than in the existing petrol versions of the Merc GLC.

It all feels beautifully finished, but I’ll be honest – I think this is a bit too much screen for me. It’s a matter of opinion, and I don’t find the interface too difficult to get on with, but I do prefer a smaller screen that’s a bit less overwhelming. What do you reckon? You may well love this, as it’s certainly a pretty spectacular screen! Let us know by leaving a comment on the video.  

Motors, performance and handling  

Right, there are big expectations for the GLC in terms of how it drives, given the huge success of the Mercedes CLA that went on to win European car of the year. 

From launch, the GLC comes with a dual motor, all-wheel drive set-up as standard across the range. I drove the GLC 400 4Matic model that will be your only option initially in the UK, until various other models join the lineup. It gets dual electric motors for active all-wheel drive, as you probably guessed from the 4Matic badging, and they deliver a combined output of 489 hp for a 0-62mph time of just 4.3 seconds. Which I think we can all agree is plenty.

So, yes, it’s punchy! But I found the power delivery really nice, actually. It doesn’t have that ridiculous punch that the Tesla Model Y Performance delivers; instead, the GLC feels controlled and easy to modulate yet supremely muscular. It’s really nice, basically! Understated yet potent. 

The ride comfort is just lovely, too. My high-spec test car came on fairly big wheels and with the optional air suspension – which is basically gets the suspension from an S-Class - and that shows in the way it soaks up the lumps and bumps. You can also now raise and lower the ride height using the voice activation, which is useful.

Like the BMW iX3, the GLC comes with a conventional steel spring suspension set-up as standard, which I haven’t tried yet, but I suspect that the optional air suspension (part of a Refinement Package that will set you back an additional £2,500) will be worth adding for UK drivers. Our roads are just so terrible! And I noticed when I drove the BMW iX3 in the UK that the ride comfort felt a bit firm, so the Merc’s pillowy ride could be a good selling point over the BMW.

Another thing that I really like in the GLC is the driving position - not just because the car set it up for me perfectly with its automated driving position selector mode, but I like the fact that for an SUV with a massive battery underneath I don’t feel perched too high. You can set the seat quite low, and you feel nicely ensconced.  

Overall the electric GLC 400 4Matic feels just lovely on the flowing roads that I drove on around Portugal. The steering has a nice feel and a decent weight to it whether you’re driving on a nice country road or wheeling around town, and the GLC is great in a tight spot where the rear axle steering makes the turning circle pretty tight (at 11.2m) for useful manoeuvrability. It makes the GLC feel wieldy even in awkward cities, which will be a relief to anyone considering one of these for their London commute.  

What I particularly enjoyed is Mercedes’ new regen braking system, which has been designed to put more energy back into the battery. Like most regen systems, it works when you brake or coast, but it can feed back more energy than previous regen systems. More importantly, it’s easy to toggle between the one-pedal setting and the more moderate regen modes using the steering wheel paddles, and the system is easy to predict as it doesn’t feel grabby or inconsistent. Smooth driving is no problem in the GLC, even in stop-start traffic. In fact, the whole car is characterised by being very smooth. Very Mercedes, I suppose! Is the BMW iX3 a bit sharper to drive on a good road? I’d say so, but the GLC is very slick and a bit more comfort-focussed. I like it a lot! 

Running costs and pricing 

The new, electric Mercedes GLC 400 4Matic starts from just over £60,000 and stretches right up to over £73,000 on the road. Equipment is pretty good even in that entry-level GLC Sport model, with that panoramic roof, leatherette upholstery, adjustable lumbar support for the driver, and heated front seats all included. The AMG Line model adds that illuminated grille, sports seats and various style upgrades, while the AMG Line Premium adds that huge Mercedes Hyperscreen infotainment system. Higher spec trims adds features like the head-up display, bigger alloy wheels, nappa leather and more. 

​I’d stick with the mid-spec AMG Line but add the refinement package for that air suspension and rear axle steering, and probably one of the rather lovely metallic paint colours, too! 

That’ll get you a very competitively priced Mercedes GLC electric 400 4Motion, and is actually slightly better value than the Volvo EX60, but it has to be said that the BMW iX3 still looks like slightly better value given the longer range. 

Ultimately, it’ll probably come down to leasing costs or PCP finance deals for most buyers, so check out our latest deals to find out if the Mercedes might actually be cheaper than the list price might suggest.

Verdict

The Mercedes GLC electric is just a sumptuous delight of a car. I really love that it feels very different to the BMW iX3 and Tesla Model Y, and even to the Volvo EX60. It’s great that buyers now have such fantastic options in the executive electric SUV class, as there’s not a bad car out of this lot.

The Merc definitely sets itself apart with its infotainment wow factor and ride comfort, so if that’s what you’re after don’t hesitate – it’s great!

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