Mercedes GLC EV gets new looks and 435-mile range

On sale Autumn 2026 | Price £65,000 (est)

With the exception of ‘going anywhere nice on your holidays?’, perhaps the most commonly-heard phrase in hairdressers and barber shops across the country is ‘just the usual, please’. People typically expect to come out with a new version of the same hairstyle they’re known for. The same can be said for car manufacturers, including Mercedes. 

For more than a century, all Mercedes models have been fitted with a large grille with square holes and chrome strips. Even so, everyone likes to try out a new quiff or colour every now and then, and Mercedes has done exactly that for its latest model – the new GLC with EQ Technology. 

In plain English, this is the first all-electric version of the Mercedes GLC, which will now compete against the BMW iX3, Porsche Macan Electric and Tesla Model Y.

So what’s Mercedes’ new look? You see, as well as growing somewhat taller, the famous Mercedes grille has become a light show, with no fewer than 140 LEDs and 942 points in which light can shine through.

However, there’s more to the electric GLC than an illuminated front end. It’s the first model to feature Mercedes’ new underpinnings which, along with the new CLA, will launch the brand’s ‘second-generation’ lineup of electric models. 

Only the GLC 400 4Matic will be available from launch, which uses a dual-motor set-up that makes 483bhp. While Mercedes has yet to share how fast the GLC can accelerate from 0-62mph, the iX3 (6.8sec) and Macan Electric 4 (5.2sec) will be the models to beat. 

In 400 4Matic form, the electric GLC also has a 94kWh (usable capacity) battery, which will give it an estimated range of over 435 miles. That’s considerably more than the iX3 (285 miles), the top-spec Macan Electric (367 miles) and Model Y Long Range (387 miles).  

One of the more unusual features in the electric GLC is the ‘One-Box’ braking system. Linked to the brake pedal, this device calculates how much regenerative braking can be used in each scenario before the system reverts to the physical brakes. This not only helps to make braking smoother and reduce wear on the brake pads and discs, but also is said to play a key role in improving range.

As an optional extra, the electric GLC can also be ordered with the same air suspension system as the S-Class luxury car – albeit a version that has been tweaked to offer more feedback and reduced body lean around corners. Buyers can also opt for a four-wheel steering system, giving the rear wheels the ability to turn up to 4.5 degrees for greater high-speed stability and improved low-speed manoeuvrability.

We had our first experience of the GLC EV from the passenger seat, where it felt particularly smooth and quiet, with only a slight hint of wind noise at high speeds, despite not featuring active noise cancellation like the Audi Q6 e-tron. The braking system is also smooth, with no clashes or jolts when the physical brakes took over from regeneration. 

In Sport mode, the electric GLC feels punchy – an experience enhanced by the soundscape-creating vibrations in the front seats. With air suspension fitted, the GLC manages to stay reasonably composed around tight corners and, in Comfort mode, is smooth at speed. Even so, the Polestar 3’s air suspension system is better at soaking up bumps in the road around town. 

The electric GLC’s interior is certainly not short on features. All models come with a panoramic roof; however, as an optional extra, you can control the transparency of the glass in nine distinct sections, helping to prevent glare on bright days. Like the CLA, there’s also the option to add a starry pattern to the panoramic roof.

In entry-level form, the electric GLC has a 14.0in infotainment touchscreen and an additional 14.0in touchscreen for the front passenger – allowing them to watch videos and play games on the move. Opt for the Hyperscreen, however, and these two displays (plus the instrument panel) merge into a seamless 39.1in touchscreen that spans from air vent to air vent. As a result, the dashboard is button-free; although some physical controls can still be found on the centre console and steering wheel.

Compared to the current petrol and hybrid versions of the Mercedes GLC, which will remain on sale for the foreseeable future, the new electric GLC is slightly larger. The gap between the front and rear wheels has been stretched by 84mm, for instance – helping to increase leg room all round. The panoramic glass roof has no real impact on headroom and the much smaller floor tunnel means middle passengers have more space for their feet.

The electric GLC’s boot is slightly smaller than its combustion-engined siblings. Nevertheless, at 570 litres, it’s still larger than that of the Audi Q6 e-tron (511 litres) or Polestar 3 (484 litres). There’s also a further 128-litres of storage space under the bonnet.

Prices for the electric Mercedes GLC have yet to be announced ahead of its launch in the second half of 2026. However, expect the range to begin for a similar figure to the entry-level versions of the Q6 e-tron (£63,015), iX3 (£65,160) and Polestar 3 (£69,910).