2027
Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ

Although the electric GLC is a totally new vehicle that rides on a unique platform, it looks a lot like a slightly updated version of the gas-powered GLC. But the all-electric design gives occupants more headroom and legroom than in a GLC with a gasoline engine. Up front is a new chrome grille that Mercedes says is the updated “face” of the brand, and the rear gets the same star-shaped taillights as the E-Class. Buyers can also opt for 21-inch wheels. Under the hood, you’ll find a small “frunk” for storage.

Honda, Volkswagen, and other automakers are working to simplify their interiors, but Mercedes seems to be doubling down on confusing controls. On the fully loaded models we’ve seen, an optional Hyperscreen offers touch controls for the driver and passengers. Optional ambient lighting adds a projection of 162 stars across the standard panoramic moonroof. The GLC also offers a specific “vegan package” featuring animal-free interior materials.

There’s some good news: Mercedes says it’s gone back to physical rocker buttons for some steering wheel controls, including the one that sets cruise control speed. There’s also a physical volume button in the center console. Otherwise, the interior is very similar to the one in the newest E-Class.

The AI-powered voice assistant claims to be able to recognize plain English inquiries and retain context, so you can ask it to find a destination and search for a restaurant on the route the same way you’d converse with a human. You can also use it like an owner’s manual.

Extra goodies include seat massage functions, the ability to turn the Hyperscreen into an animation of an aquarium, and a built-in Microsoft Teams app complete with a camera that turns off when you start driving.

The GLC will launch with the top-of-the-line GLC 400 4MATIC trim, which has all-wheel drive from two electric motors, 483 hp, and a range that we estimate to be below 400 miles. The automaker hasn’t yet shared 0 to 60 mph times or information about lower trim levels.

Perhaps the most impressive debut on the GLC is a new 94-kWh lithium-ion battery with anodes that mix silicon oxide and graphite for an impressive volumetric energy density of 680 watt-hours per liter. In other words, the electric GLC’s battery crams more energy into less weight than most other EVs. Mercedes says the new battery’s modular design is easy to repair without taking apart the entire unit. It also says the GLC’s battery uses less cobalt, a mineral that often comes from mining operations where environmental and human rights abuses are unfortunately common.

The GLC EQ has an 800-volt architecture, which allows very fast charging at specific charging stations—more than 180 miles in 10 minutes, according to Mercedes. Drivers will also be able to reserve a spot at charging stations operated by Mercedes-Benz.An air suspension and four-wheel steering are optional for improved handling and performance.

The GLC EV will also have a towing capacity of nearly 5,300 pounds, which is impressive for an electric SUV this size. Its 220-pound drawbar load means it can carry e-bikes on a hitch-mounted trailer.

According to Mercedes, the electric GLC’s new braking system “ensures a consistent and confident brake-pedal feel at all times, regardless of whether braking is performed by recuperation or wheel brakes.” That sounds like a big improvement over the EQE and EQS models we tested, which had brake pedals that sometimes felt too squishy and sometimes too grippy.

The GLC is a software-defined vehicle, meaning that all of its functions are controlled by a single operating system called MB.OS. This will allow future software updates for enhanced performance and additional features, which drivers may have to pay for.

The electric GLC will come with up to 10 external cameras, five radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Standard features include all the usual safety features plus adaptive cruise control (ACC) with lane centering (LCA) and an automatic lane-change function. Options include a system that can identify parking spaces and unpark the vehicle automatically, and a “transparent hood” that uses cameras to show what’s blocked by the front of the vehicle. The automaker says that the MB.Drive Assist Plus/Pro active driving assistance feature will be available in the future and offer more capabilities than the standard ACC and LCA combination.