Pros: comfortable ride, quiet on the move, lots of power, high-quality cabin
Cons: chassis a bit dull, not much model choice, slightly odd looks
Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric Design
Mercedes has toned down its recent obsession with its own three-pointed-star emblem for the GLC Electric, so unlike some other EVs from the company – the CLA and the GLB, in particular – this larger SUV isn’t festooned with the firm’s own logo. It does still feature in the light signatures fore and aft, but the grille at the front is instead illuminated by 942 polycarbonate dots rather than stars, a design Mercedes calls the ‘Iconic’.
The GLC’s overall shape is familiar if you’re aware of the older models of this SUV, while it’s also a slippery and aerodynamic body to help the EV make the most of its battery. But with the Iconic grille looking a bit pinched, the large, mainly featureless flanks and a few contrived details in places (e.g., those rear lights), the Mercedes isn’t an undeniable beauty. Alloy wheel sizes, incidentally, range from 19 to 21 inches in size.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric Interior
An absolutely gigantic digital interface called the MBUX Superscreen is the focal point of the Mercedes GLC Electric’s passenger compartment. All models come with a 14-inch central infotainment display and a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, but on grander AMG Line cars the passenger-side-dash trim of light-up three-pointed stars is replaced by a third screen, measuring 14 inches across the diagonal. All of these are presented in crystal-clear 8K resolution and they work well, even if it means adjusting the in-car climate must be done through the GLC’s central screen.
Aside from that, the material quality throughout the GLC Electric is uniformly excellent, so everything feels as classy as it looks. There’s also plenty of space for rear-seat passengers, despite the fact the centre-rear footwell isn’t completely flat, and a 520-litre boot also ensures the Mercedes is a practical SUV for those looking for zero-emission transport for families. And as if that weren’t enough, a front storage area under the GLC’s bonnet can take another 128 litres of stuff, making it a suitable place to store the EV’s charging cables without sacrificing the main cargo bay’s versatility.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric Performance & Drive
At the time of writing, there is just one drivetrain choice for the Mercedes GLC Electric, which is the dual-motor 400 4Matic. This puts a motor on each axle of the SUV for all-wheel-drive traction, while the outputs of this system are healthy numbers of 489hp allied to 800Nm of torque. Despite a sizeable kerb weight, this allows the Mercedes GLC 400 to run 0-100km/h in just 4.3 seconds.
Its speed is one of its defining characteristics, but so too is its comfort and refinement. We sampled the GLC 400 Electric on its optional air suspension and with agility-boosting four-wheel steering, and it was a delight to travel in. Aside from a slight lateral shimmy with the car in Comfort mode and when taking on lumpier country routes, travelling long distances in the Mercedes will be a breeze. It’s maybe not quite so impressive in the corners, as the German company has clearly prioritised relaxation and sophisticated manners over dynamic handling ability, but you certainly couldn’t call the GLC bad in this regard either.
The Mercedes GLC Electric is fitted with a 94kWh battery pack that allows for an official range of 645km. That’s decent, but some rivals – the BMW iX3 being one of them – can get closer to or even surpass 800km. However, the GLC has 800-volt electrical architecture, so its peak recharging speed is an eye-catching 330kW on DC chargers. This means a 10-80 per cent top-up can take as little as 22 minutes on the right public charging unit.
Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric Pricing
The Mercedes GLC Electric 400 4Matic is sold in four trims (SE, Avantgarde Plus, AMG Line and AMG Line Plus), with prices ranging from around €76,000 to €82,500. Rivals include the iX3 from BMW, as well as the Volvo EX60, Polestar 3, Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric. The Mercedes is more expensive than some of these competitors, but it does come with plenty of equipment across the board to mitigate that to a degree.
Carzone Verdict
If you want the most comfortable and edifying electric SUV in this sector, the Mercedes GLC has to be a compelling contender for your affections. It has plenty of clearly defined strengths – ride quality, rolling refinement, pace, interior finishing, technology and charging speeds – and precious few weaknesses.