Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric Review 2026: Prices, specs and verdict

What is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric?

This is a Mercedes-Benz electric car that doesn’t require too much explaining: it’s an electric version of the GLC midsized SUV that the brand has enjoyed over a decade of success with.

The aptly named GLC Electric is essentially a replacement of the old EQC model, with the EQ sub-brand no longer used. It follows on from recently launched smaller EVs, the impressive Mercedes-Benz GLB and CLA.

But unlike those cars which replace an older model and offer hybrid power too, the GLC Electric is a standalone car which is sold alongside the older petrol and diesel-powered models in the GLC line-up.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric also debuts some fancy new technology and bolder design choices. But is that enough to compete with the very latest electric SUVs such as the BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60? We’ll find out in this review.

Verdict: is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric a good car?

While the design and tech-heavy cabin might not suit everyone, there’s plenty to impress in the new GLC Electric. From its strong performance to good efficiency and fast charging, along with its comfortable ride and spacious cabin, the fundamentals are well-sorted.

Despite some on-board tech frustrations, we feel the GLC Electric is an excellent all-rounder. However, with strong competition from BMW and Volvo, whether you really need the extra range those cars boast is worth considering.

Pricing, specs & rivals

UK prices for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric start at £60,350. That gets you in the GLC 400 4MATIC in Sport trim, although expect lower-powered and cheaper variants to arrive in the coming months.

You can get a BMW iX3 for a bit less than that in comparable dual-motor form, while an equivalent Volvo EX60 (the P10 AWD model) is roughly the same price as the GLC.

Sport trim loses out on some of the fancy exterior detailing and lighting effects, while also being the only version with fixed, manual door handles. But you still get a nice kit tally including 20in alloys, a panoramic glass roof with opacifying tech, LED headlights with auto high beam, heated front seats, wireless phone charging and a reversing camera.

AMG Line trim adds £3,000 to the price of Sport trim, with its main upgrades including an exterior body kit, upgraded exterior lighting effect, front sport seats with electric adjustment, nicer interior trim and a passenger touchscreen.

AMG Line Premium ups the price to £68,350, primarly adding the full-width ‘Hyperscreen’ touchscreen dash panel, a Burmester sound system upgrade, a 360-degree camera system, matrix-beam ‘Digital Light’ LED headlamps, a heated steering wheel and heated wiper blades.

AMG Line Premium Plus, from £70,850, brings 21in wheels even more advanced Burmester 4D surround sound system along with upgraded seats with massage and ventilation functions, projection functions for the headlights and various other niceties.

Topping the range for now is the GLC Electric Premier edition, at £73,350. This adds even more fancy lighting details including a fully illuminated grille and light-up stars in the glass roof, a head-up display, ‘Night Package’ black trim elements and other luxuries.

There is some serious competition in the large premium electric SUV sector. The GLC Electric’s primary competition includes the latest BMW iX3, the incoming Volvo EX60, the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Polestar 3.

You might also want to consider the Porsche Macan Electric, Lexus RZ, Genesis GV70 Electrified and, if you don’t mind losing some luxury and refinement, the Tesla Model Y.

Interior comfort, quality & technology

The GLC Electric’s interior is very much tech-focused (more on that below) but also has some nice design flourishes and higher quality materials than you’ll find in lesser Mercedes-Benz models.

Faux leather is offered on most models, but its so convincing you’d be hard pressed to miss the real thing. There’s also a fully vegan interior option for no extra charge, which the brand is keen to point has been certified by The Vegan Society in a painstaking effort. Higher trims also give you different colours free of charge.

Everything feels solid and generally quite classy, despite the odd bit of hard plastic letting the side down. It’s also easy to get comfortable with wide adjustment for the seats and steering wheel, although we think manual adjustment on Sport models is a bit stingy at this price point.

Visibility is great, too, thanks to tall windows all-round and pillars that don’t get in the way too much. Overall, we reckon the GLC is a nicer place to sit than cars like the Audi Q6 e-tron, but some may prefer the bolder design of the BMW iX3.

Infotainment, sat-nav, stereo and connectivity

One of the biggest technology advances in the new GLC Electric is the dashboard itself, which is dominated by screens regardless of which version you go for.

Even entry-level models have no fewer than three displays spanning the length of the dash. There’s a pair of 14in screens for the driver and passengers, along with a 10.3in instrument display. Unusually, the passenger display in this spec isn’t a touchscreen in base Sport trim – Mercedes-Benz calls it ‘decorative’ as it can display wallpapers or information.

Upgrading to AMG Line trim turns the passenger display into a proper touchscreen that can stream media and other things. It’s supposed to not be distracting by turning off if it detects the driver looking over to it, but we found that didn’t always happen or sometimes happened if the driver looked at the door mirror.

Anyway, the main central touchscreen has loads of features but is responsive, has great graphics and relatively easy menu navigation. Our main gripe is that it lacks any physical controls for key functions like the air conditioning.

Do you think three screens is a bit tame? Well, Mercedes-Benz ups the ante even further in AMG Line Premium trim or above with the ‘Hyperscreen’. This turns the dashboard into one giant glass panel housing a 39.1in touchscreen. It’s visually epic, even if it won’t be to all tastes.

The Hyperscreen is seriously responsive and fast thanks to its advanced processors. It’s also packed full of clever features too numerous to list in full. But the same lack of physical buttons or switches along with some tiny icons means usability isn’t perfect, even if the AI-powered voice control system is very good at taking care of functions on the move.

As well as the usual wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there’s all sorts of apps available including Microsoft Teams – this lets you make a video call via a camera mounted in the centre of the dash.

There’s a couple of USB-Cs for each row of seats for connectivity, alongside those two wireless charging pads. And as for the audio, there’s a basic six-speaker system, a 15-speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound system or a full 19 speaker Burmester 4D package depending on which version you have.

We’ve tried the top-tier system, which includes what Mercedes calls ‘tactile exciters’ built into the seats that use vibrations to let you ‘feel’ the bass. They won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but the system is impressive.

How practical is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric?

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric’s dimensions of 4,845mm in length, 1,913mm in width (excluding mirrors) and 1,644mm in height make it considerably longer, wider and taller than the existing petrol-powered GLC. It’s also slightly bigger in every measure than the iX3.

Even though this won’t be the largest electric SUV from the brand, it’s certainly big enough for UK roads and for a typical family with a couple of kids. There’s loads of space for big adults up front, and the glass roof still leaves plenty of headroom.

In the rear of the GLC Electric you’ll also find legroom to spare even for six footers, who will also have plenty of clearance for their heads too. You can also easily slide your feet under the seats in front, while despite a small hump in the middle of the floor sitting three abreast isn’t too cramped.

The only minor negative is that the rear seats don’t slide and recline like they do in some rivals. But overall, it’s a practical car.

Storage and boot space

Storage in the front of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric is very good. You get not one but two wireless phone charging pads in the centre console, two cupholders with pop-out drinks holders beneath that and a deep centre armrest cubby.

Below the centre console itself is a big tray to store larger items with straps to stop them flying about as you drive. Alongside that there are good-sized door bins and a large enough glovebox for most needs.

The door bins are again a good size in the back seats, while you’ll also find a small tray for charging devices below the centre air vents. Further to that there is a phone or tablet holder in a pop-out armrest compartment – press it again and it reveals a pair of pop-out cupholders. There are also some small pockets on the front seatbacks.

The seats are very flexible, folding in a 40/20/40 split via toggles in the sides of the boot. But even with the seats up the boot is a great size, with its 570-litre capacity being 50 litres more than a BMW iX3.

The opening is large and square, and we like that you push the Mercedes logo back to open the tailgate (electrically, of course). There’s a height adjustable boot floor, too, which leaves very little load lip to deal with at either end of the boot.

Oh, and if that isn’t enough then you’ll find a sizeable 120-litre ‘frunk’ (or front boot) accessed with a touch of the bonnet badge. That can swallow up the charging cables yet still leave space for a carry-on suitcase.

Performance & drive: What is the Mercedes-Benz GLC like on the road?

For now, the only version of the Mercedes-Benz GLC is the 400 4MATIC. This version certainly isn’t lacking in performance with two electric motors, four-wheel drive and a serious 489hp output.

Officially the GLC 400 4MATIC can sprint from 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds, although it feels slightly quicker even than that in our testing. That’s faster on paper than the iX3, although there are quicker versions of the EX60 and Porsche Macan Electric available.

The GLC is seriously rapid in every situation on the road, feeling strongest picking up from about 10mph when it pins you to the back of your seat and surges forward. But thanks to that two-speed gearbox, acceleration is relentless at all legal road speeds, never tailing off on the motorway like some EVs.

Sport mode gives you a sharper throttle response along with changes to the suspension and steering, making the GLC feel very keen to pick up the pace.

Many will find it a bit twitchy for normal driving, though: Comfort mode still gives you full performance but a much smoother, more progressive throttle pedal for gentle driving. In this mode, the GLC Electric is both easy to drive and relaxing at slower speeds.

In terms of braking, the pedal itself is impressively strong yet natural feeling rather than grabby, as it is in some cars with regenerative braking systems.

Speaking of which, there are four regen modes, from full coasting to very strong deceleration where you almost never need to use the brakes, and you have one-pedal driving. There’s also an Auto mode that automatically adjusts how much braking the car will apply depending on traffic, what’s ahead on your route and even the gradient of hills.

Power, 0-62mph times

• Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric 400 4MATIC: 489hp/ 4.3 secs

Ride and handling

As we’ve seen from the smaller GLB, as well as many modern-era Mercedes Benz cars, comfort remains a core focus for the brand. And it’s clear quite early on in driving the GLC Electric that this is a cossetting car overall.

Lower spec GLCs make do without fancy air suspension, yet they still ride comfortably. Potholes and sharp bumps are insulated from passengers way more effectively than in a Tesla Model Y. There is, however, a touch of floatiness and body movement on challenging roads that means some may prefer the firmer feel of a BMW iX3.

With AMG Line trim and the optional Refinement Package, the GLC Electric gets air suspension. In Comfort mode, this means a seriously plush ride, while Sport mode also removes that floaty feeling and reduces body lean for twisty country roads. The Refinement Package also adds rear-wheel steering which boosts agility and makes for easier parking, while the adaptive suspension can even take crowdsourced data of local potholes from other Mercedes-Benz models and adapt to suit.

Regardless of trim level, though, the GLC’s steering is well-sorted, with a natural weighting and confidence-inspiring precision. Overall, it’s well worth trying the GLC back-to-back with the iX3 to see which you prefer.

Noise and refinement

The GLC Electric is very quiet, smooth and relaxing at all speeds. There’s very little wind noise of notice and the electric motor is near silent. When you want it, Mercedes-Benz has engineered in some quirky sounds that intensify under acceleration for more engagement, but you can turn them off if preferred.

Our only minor criticism is that there’s a touch of road and tyre noise on certain surfaces that’s more noticeable with the larger wheel options.

Euro NCAP: is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric a safe car?

At the time of writing this review, Euro NCAP is yet to assess the new Mercedes-Benz GLC for its crash test performance. This means we can’t properly assess its safety.

Having said that, Mercedes has a great track record in Euro NCAP assessment, with every model tested in the last decade or so achieving the maximum five-star rating. The brand is targeting this again with the GLC.

There’s certainly no shortage of safety aids and driver assist tech as standard on the GLC Electric. All versions come with the usual autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assistance, driver monitoring and speed limit assist, but also feature blind spot monitoring and avoidance, adaptive cruise control and a suite of 11 airbags.

Charging, range and running costs

Things are currently simple in the GLC Electric Range, with one battery option and power output. That battery has a usable capacity of 94kWh and uses the more traditional NMC chemistry.

Range on a charge varies slightly depending on trim level. The GLC Electric in Sport trim boasts the longest figure, according to official WLTP testing, of 405 miles on a charge. That drops a few miles with each trim upgrade, down to 393 miles for the top-spec Premier Edition.

The GLC’s range is competitive with the Audi Q6 E-Tron (up to 393 miles) and the longest-range Tesla Model Y (391 miles). And that’s fine, if the new BMW iX3 and Volvo EX30 didn’t boast 20% more range, at up to 500 miles or so.

With that in mind, the GLC Electric may not work for some drivers in the way those two cars will. But we still reckon that, for most drivers, the Mercedes-Benz offers plenty of usable range for day-to-day driving.

Like the smaller CLA and GLB, the GLC uses a two-speed gearbox for the rear electric motor. This is designed to make high-speed cruising more efficient without compromising low-speed acceleration.

A multi-source heat pump is standard in every GLC Electric. This helps mitigate the effects on range of heating a cold cabin in winter.

Range on a charge (WLTP figures) H4

• Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC: 393-405 miles (depending on trim)

The GLC Electric uses the very latest 800-volt electrical technology, pioneered in EVs from Porsche and the Hyundai Motor Group. In simple terms, that means faster charging speeds are possible with the right rapid chargers.

Official, the GLC has a peak charging rate of up to 330kW. That results in an very good 10-80% charging time of 22 minutes in ideal conditions.

Sadly for Mercedes-Benz, the BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60 again slightly edge this in top-spec forms, peaking at 400kW and 370kW respectively. Those cars do have much bigger batteries, though, so only complete a 10-80% charge fractionally more quickly.

Every GLC Electric comes with 11kW AC charging, letting owners make the use of three-phase electricity supplies or destination chargers. It’s also possible to upgrade the AC charging speed to 22kW as an option.

You’ll also find battery preconditioning across the range, with the car preparing itself to hit the highest possible charging speeds in advance if a charging stop is schedule into the sat-nav. There’s also standard Vehicle-to-Load tech to power appliances or camping kit via the car’s battery.

Charging speeds

(Figures from EV Database)

• 7kW charging: 15hrs
• 11kW charging: 10hr 15 mins
• 50kW rapid charger (10 to 80% charge): 83 mins
• 300kW+ rapid charger (10 to 80% charge): 22 mins

How much does the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric cost to insure?

Every currently available version of the GLC Electric sits in the maximum insurance group of 50, which shouldn’t be a huge surprise given the performance and luxury it offers – all versions of the Polestar 3, for example, are the same. We’d expect future, lower-powered versions to sit in lower groups.

Having said that, the BMW iX3 XDrive50 isn’t much slower than the GLC 400 but sits in insurance group 43, so may be cheaper to insure.