Mercedes-Benz has turned its best-selling model line electric. The official name is GLC with EQ Technology, and the brand’s own press material also calls it simply the electric GLC, the name used in this article. It is a dedicated battery-electric mid-size SUV with an 800-volt system, and it is now sold in three variants. The GLC 400 4MATIC with 360 kW (489 PS, about 483 hp) and a 94 kWh usable battery claims up to 715 km of WLTP range. The GLC 300 4MATIC pairs 310 kW (421 PS, about 416 hp) with an 85 kWh pack, and the rear-wheel-drive GLC 250 makes 260 kW (354 PS, about 349 hp) from the same 85 kWh. German list prices run from €64,736 for the GLC 250 to €71,281 for the GLC 400, including 19% VAT but before delivery costs. Mercedes says the electric GLC already attracts more orders than any other electric car in the company’s history, and in September 2026 it was named German Premium Car of the Year 2027 by the German Car of the Year jury.
Performance & Specs
All three variants use permanently excited synchronous motors. The GLC 400 4MATIC and GLC 300 4MATIC have one at each axle and send 800 Nm of peak torque through a two-speed gearbox on the rear axle, while the front motor can be decoupled when it is not needed. The GLC 250 has a single motor driving the rear wheels with 505 Nm. Mercedes quotes 4.3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h for the GLC 400, 4.7 seconds for the GLC 300 4MATIC and 5.9 seconds for the GLC 250, and all three are limited to 210 km/h. Power is stated by Mercedes in kilowatts: 360 kW for the GLC 400 equals about 489 PS or 483 hp, 310 kW equals about 421 PS or 416 hp, and 260 kW equals about 354 PS or 349 hp.
Mercedes gives the first gear of the rear gearbox a ratio of 11:1 and describes silicon-carbide inverters, a silicon-oxide enriched anode in the battery cells and regenerative braking of up to about 300 kW through four recuperation levels and a one-box brake system. The brand quotes a battery-to-wheel efficiency of 93 percent. The official kerb weight of the GLC 400 is 2,535 kg. Optional AIRMATIC air suspension and optional rear-axle steering with up to 4.5 degrees of angle are available, and the steering cuts the turning circle from 12.1 m to 11.2 m.
| Powertrain | Dual-motor AWD BEV (front and rear PSM) |
|---|---|
| Power | 360 kW (489 PS / 483 hp) |
| Torque | 800 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.3 s |
| Battery | 94 kWh usable |
| Range | Up to 715 km (WLTP) |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | BEV, dual-motor 4MATIC (GLC 400, GLC 300) or single rear motor (GLC 250) |
|---|---|
| HORSEPOWER | GLC 400: 360 kW (489 PS / 483 hp); GLC 300: 310 kW (421 PS / 416 hp); GLC 250: 260 kW (354 PS / 349 hp) |
| TORQUE | 800 Nm (GLC 400, GLC 300); 505 Nm (GLC 250) |
| ACCELERATION | 4.3 s (GLC 400); 4.7 s (GLC 300); 5.9 s (GLC 250), 0-100 km/h |
| TOP SPEED | 210 km/h on all variants |
| DRIVETRAIN | AWD (GLC 400, GLC 300); RWD (GLC 250) |
| BATTERY | 94 kWh usable (GLC 400); 85 kWh usable (GLC 300, GLC 250) |
| ELECTRIC RANGE | Up to 715 / 616 / 650 km WLTP (GLC 400 / 300 / 250) |
| COMBINED RANGE | — (pure BEV) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 4,845 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,913 mm |
| Height | 1,644 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,972 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.1 m (11.2 m with rear-axle steering) |
The electric GLC rides on a wheelbase of 2,972 mm, which Mercedes says is 84 mm longer than the combustion GLC. That buys 13 mm more front legroom, 46 mm more front headroom, 47 mm more rear legroom and 17 mm more rear headroom than the combustion model. The five-seat body measures 4,845 mm long, 1,913 mm wide and 1,644 mm tall, and the boot holds 570 litres behind the rear seats and 1,740 litres with them folded, measured to the ISO 3832 (VDA) method.
There is also a frunk. Mercedes lists 128 litres of liquid volume, or 100 litres by the VDA method, and says it opens partly electrically by touch control. The permitted trailer load is 750 kg unbraked on all three variants and up to 2,400 kg braked on the two 4MATIC versions (at a 12 percent gradient, per the GLC 400 data sheet), while the rear-wheel-drive GLC 250 is rated for 2,200 kg braked. The frunk, the rear boot and the towing rating are the practical points on which the electric GLC keeps pace with the combustion GLC it replaces on many buyers’ shopping lists.
| LENGTH | 4,845 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,913 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1,644 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 2,972 mm |
| CARGO VOLUME | 570 L (1,740 L seats folded), VDA |
| FRUNK | 128 L (liquid), 100 L (VDA) |
| KERB WEIGHT | 2,535 kg (GLC 400) |
| TRAILER LOAD | 750 kg unbraked; 2,400 kg braked (GLC 400, GLC 300), 2,200 kg braked (GLC 250) |
Charging & Battery
The GLC runs a system voltage of 800 volts, which is what allows its fast-charging numbers. Mercedes gives a DC peak of 330 kW for the GLC 400 4MATIC and 320 kW for the GLC 300 4MATIC and the GLC 250, and quotes 22 minutes for a 10-80% charge on all three. That time is measured at a category K or L charger under the EN 17186 standard with a charging current of 500 A, so it describes a best case at a very powerful station rather than a typical public charger. The recharged range after ten minutes is up to 305 km for the GLC 400, up to 255 km for the GLC 300 4MATIC and up to 265 km for the GLC 250, each at the best-case end of a range that falls with larger wheels and heavier equipment.
AC charging is 11 kW as standard with 22 kW optional. The GLC 400 has 94 kWh of usable energy; both the GLC 300 4MATIC and the GLC 250 have 85 kWh usable. Mercedes does not state gross capacity in its media material. The official WLTP consumption of the GLC 400 is 18.9 to 14.9 kWh/100 km, and that is a plug-to-wheel figure including charging losses: divide 94 kWh by 715 km and you get about 13.1 kWh/100 km at the battery, which is consistent with the 14.9 figure once roughly 13 percent of charging losses are added. The car is also prepared for bidirectional charging, and Mercedes offers a reservation function for chargers through its MB.CHARGE Public service.
| BATTERY | 94 kWh usable (GLC 400); 85 kWh usable (GLC 300, GLC 250) |
|---|---|
| AC CHARGING | 11 kW standard, 22 kW optional |
| DC FAST CHARGING | 330 kW (GLC 400); 320 kW (GLC 300, GLC 250) |
| DC 10-80% TIME | 22 min (EN 17186 charger, 500 A) |
| RECHARGED IN 10 MIN | Up to 305 / 255 / 265 km WLTP (GLC 400 / 300 / 250) |
| CONSUMPTION | 18.9-14.9 / 18.8-15.9 / 18.1-15.0 kWh/100 km (GLC 400 / 300 / 250) |
Design & Interior
The electric GLC is the first Mercedes with what the brand calls its elevated iconic design. The centrepiece is a redesigned chrome grille that is illuminated and animated, with an illuminated star and an illuminated outline, and it is flanked by new headlamps with a three-pointed-star light signature. At the rear, a light bar with star-patterned lamps repeats the theme. The standard AVANTGARDE line can be upgraded to the AMG Line with 20-inch wheels, a redesigned front bumper and sports interior details. The AMG Line Plus adds a gloss black rear spoiler, illuminated door sills and 21-inch wheels, and a Night Package is also offered.
Inside, the dashboard is built around a wide display surface and the brand’s “Welcome Home” theme. Equipment is arranged in three packages: Advanced Plus, Premium and Premium Plus. The SKY CONTROL panoramic roof with switchable segments arrives with Advanced Plus, and the biggest screen option comes with the top package. An optional Vegan Package covers the soft-touch interior surfaces, and Mercedes says it is the first independently certified vegan interior from a car maker, certified by The Vegan Society. Seats are fully electrically adjustable on all variants.
Technology & Features
The electric GLC runs the fourth-generation MBUX on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, MB.OS, with regular over-the-air updates through the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud. Standard equipment includes a 10.3-inch driver display and a 14-inch media display. The MBUX Superscreen is part of the Advanced Plus package, and the optional MBUX Hyperscreen spans 99.3 cm (39.1 inches), which Mercedes describes as its largest screen so far. The Hyperscreen is the highest of the screen options and comes with the Premium Plus package.
The software side also covers the charging experience. MB.CHARGE Public offers integrated reservation of charging points at selected Mercedes-Benz stations, with a rollout that Mercedes says is still in progress. Mercedes lists Mercedes pay+ with facial recognition, and a Burmester 3D or 4D sound system comes with the higher packages. Mercedes lists wireless phone charging and smartphone integration as standard.
Safety & ADAS
European-market electric GLC models come with extensive standard safety equipment and Distance Assist DISTRONIC. Depending on equipment and market, Mercedes lists up to ten cameras, five radar sensors and twelve ultrasonic sensors, plus a water-cooled high-performance computer with reserves for future functions. The driver-assistance functions are grouped under MB.DRIVE. Standard functions include DISTRONIC and the parking assistant, and optional packages extend the system up to assisted driving at SAE Level 2 and a 360-degree view when parking.
| ADAS LEVEL | L2 (optional MB.DRIVE ASSIST packages, driver must supervise) |
|---|---|
| ADAS FEATURES | Distance Assist DISTRONIC, parking assistant, up to 10 cameras, 5 radar sensors, 12 ultrasonic sensors, optional 360° view, up to 11 airbags |
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWER | TORQUE | 0-100 | TOP SPEED | DRIVETRAIN | BATTERY | EV RANGE | COMBINED RANGE | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLC 250 | 349 hp | 505 Nm | 5.9s | 210 km/h | RWD | 85 kWh | 650 km (WLTP) | — | €64,736 | Single rear motor, 320 kW DC peak, 22 min 10-80%, entry price (orders from 9 June 2026) |
| GLC 300 4MATIC | 416 hp | 800 Nm | 4.7s | 210 km/h | AWD | 85 kWh | 616 km (WLTP) | — | €68,306 | Dual motor, 320 kW DC peak, 22 min 10-80% (orders from 9 June 2026) |
| GLC 400 4MATIC | 483 hp | 800 Nm | 4.3s | 210 km/h | AWD | 94 kWh | 715 km (WLTP) | — | €71,281 | Largest battery, 330 kW DC peak, 305 km recharged in 10 min (orders from 29 October 2025) |
Pricing & Availability
The GLC 400 4MATIC went on sale in Germany on 29 October 2025 at €71,281, and orders for the GLC 250 and the GLC 300 4MATIC opened on 9 June 2026 at €64,736 and €68,306. These are gross list prices including 19% VAT and excluding delivery costs; the net prices are €54,400 for the GLC 250 and €57,400 for the GLC 300 4MATIC. Mercedes advertised private leasing from €475 a month for the GLC 400 at launch, with a 20 percent special payment, 36 months and 45,000 km. Its June 2026 release quotes lease examples for the two newer variants from €520 (GLC 250) and €545 (GLC 300 4MATIC) in the body text, although its summary bullets say €450 and €475, so check the current offer with a dealer. Mercedes’ German model page currently shows the GLC 250 from €61,499, which is 5 percent below the list price and apparently an online promotion; this article uses list prices. Deliveries of the two newer variants were reported to start toward the end of 2026. Mercedes has said that further electric GLC models will follow.
In Israel, Colmobil, the Mercedes-Benz importer, launched the electric GLC in June 2026. The price list on the importer’s site runs from ₪439,900 for the GLC 250 Icon to ₪639,900 for the GLC 400 4MATIC Signature AMG Line, plus a ₪5,499 registration fee. In the United States it is the 2027 GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology: Mercedes-Benz USA lists it from $63,500 MSRP ($64,950 with the $1,450 destination fee), KBB reports up to 350 miles of EPA range, and dealer arrival was reported for the second half of 2026. In India, bookings are due to open in the first week of October 2026 for a locally assembled GLC 400 4MATIC, with a launch at the end of 2026; no Indian price has been officially announced.
How It Compares
Two electric SUVs already covered on FreshMotors give useful reference points in Europe. The Volvo EX60 P10 AWD makes 375 kW (503 hp; Volvo itself quotes 510 in metric horsepower) and is quoted at up to 660 km WLTP, a little more power and a little less range than the GLC 400, and the UK price starts at £59,860. The Zeekr 7X Long Range RWD offers 310 kW (421 PS, about 416 hp) and up to 615 km WLTP from a 100 kWh pack, with a German price list that starts at €54,990 for the smaller Core version, so it undercuts the GLC on price while giving up the Mercedes badge. Prices are in different currencies and markets, so they show positioning rather than an exact gap.
Inside the Mercedes family, FreshMotors has also covered the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 4MATIC+ (671 hp) and the G 580 Electric (579 hp), both of which make more power than the GLC 400. The GLC is the practical one of the group: it has the frunk, up to 2,400 kg of braked towing on the 4MATIC versions and the widest choice of variants. Its direct strength against the rivals above is the 715 km best-case range; both rivals list higher DC peaks on paper, 400 kW for the EX60 P10 AWD and 360 kW for the Zeekr 7X.
- 800-volt architecture with up to 330 kW DC charging and a 22-minute 10-80% stop, plus up to 305 km recharged in ten minutes
- Practical package: 570 L boot, 128 L frunk and up to 2,400 kg braked towing on the 4MATIC variants (2,200 kg on the GLC 250)
- Three variants from €64,736 to €71,281 let buyers choose between the 85 kWh and 94 kWh packs and between RWD and AWD
- The 715 km figure is the best case of a 568-715 km spread that depends on equipment and wheels, and the 85 kWh variants quote 616-650 km
- The Hyperscreen, AIRMATIC air suspension and rear-axle steering are options, and the biggest screen sits in the most expensive package, so the list price buys a simpler car
The electric GLC is a well-judged first step for Mercedes into the volume of the mid-size SUV market. It pairs a real 800-volt charging system, a 94 kWh pack and a usable frunk and boot with prices that start below €65,000 in Germany, and the three-variant range lets buyers decide how much battery and power they want. The best range figure needs the right equipment, and the headline screen costs extra, so check the configuration before comparing rivals. Buyers who want a comfortable, easy-to-live-with electric Mercedes should put it at the top of the list.

