26 Mercedes-Benz Electric Glc GLC 400 4MATIC 360kW AMG Line 94kWh 5dr Auto

The GLC Electric delivers a big leap in EV tech for Mercedes. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The GLC Electric puts the advanced Mercedes MB.EA bespoke EV platform to good use at the premium end of the sector for mid-sized electric SUVs. It's aggressively styled, astonishingly sophisticated inside and sets new standards for EV range in a Mercedes SUV. But one key rival, BMW's iX3, will offer stiff opposition.

Background

Mercedes calls this GLC 'with EQ Technology' a key part of its current ramped-up product offensive. For some, that adjective might be one of those that springs to mind in describing the divisive front end of this mid-sized electric SUV, but Stuttgart clearly wanted it to stand out - as it needs to at the premium end of an over-crowded class. Effectively, it's a successor to the old EQC, which was quite separate to the combustion GLC models it sold alongside for five years. Despite its name, the GLC 'with EQ Technology' is equally different in almost every way from its fossil-fuelled counterpart. And, unlike with the old EQC, the all-new MB.EA bespoke EV platform has a much faster-charging 800V electrical architecture, with a bigger battery allowing for much longer drive range. All of which this car will very much need to take on its arch rival, BMW second generation iX3. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Spec

Even back at the launch of the first generation EQC in 2019, Mercedes was already working on a much better mid-sized electric SUV; this GLC Electric model is it. The key to the step forward this car represents lies with its new generation MB.EA bespoke 800V EV platform, which has been developed to operate with a choice of five different mainstream powertrains. From launch, the brand was offering the most powerful mainstream variant, the GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology, which has a dual motor set-up developing 489hp. That's energised by a 94kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery with a range of up to 406 miles (way better than most competitors, but still 94 miles short of a rival BMW iX3 xDrive 50). The Mercedes though, offers two optional features borrowed from the next class up. There's an air suspension system originally developed for the S-Class limo; and rear-wheel steering which reduces the turning circle to 11.2m. 0-62mph takes 4.3s en route to 130mph. There's lots of efficiency-enhancing engineering technology here. Like the two-speed gearbox that maximises acceleration and frugality. And the permanent magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle and the new front motor that can disconnect seamlessly (between 60 and 75mph) when not required. Also clever is the 'One box' braking system designed to better blend friction and regen braking. Regen braking is nearly always used for stopping and is controllable via four settings - 'D-' (maximum), 'D', 'D+' and 'D auto'. All of this is influenced by the car's AI-driven 'super brain' which is capable of 254 trillion operations per second that create 'a seamless and intelligent journey'. This EV can tow too - in this '400' form up to 2,400kg, 400kg more than a PHEV GLC 300e.

Design and Build

Even back at the launch of the first generation EQC in 2019, Mercedes was already working on a much better mid-sized electric SUV; this GLC Electric model is it. The key to the step forward this car represents lies with its new generation MB.EA bespoke 800V EV platform, which has been developed to operate with a choice of five different mainstream powertrains. From launch, the brand was offering the most powerful mainstream variant, the GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology, which has dual motor set-up developing 483bhp. That's energised by a 94kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery with a range of 435 miles (way better than most competitors, but still 65 miles short of a rival BMW iX3 xDrive 50). The Mercedes though, offers two optional features borrowed from the next class up. There's an air suspension system originally developed for the S-Class limo; and rear-wheel steering which reduces the turning circle to 11.2m. 0-62mph takes 4.3s en route to 130mph. Is this, as Mercedes claims, 'the most beautiful interior in the class'? A target customer will probably think so. It certainly ushers in a new era of technology, the screen integrating AI tools from Microsoft and Google and using the 'Virtual Assistant' voice control is supposed to be 'like chatting with a friend'. Also new is the one-piece panoramic glass roof which can almost completely block UV radiation, can be switched from transparent to opaque and can incorporate 162 illuminated stars. Stuff like this used only to be in luxury limos. Perhaps what might really sell family folk this car though, is the space you can get in the back of it. The bespoke MB.EA platform enables a 2,972mm wheelbase length that's 84mm longer than that of a combustion GLC (and nearly 100mm longer than that of the old EQC). That's freed up 47mm more rear leg space. Despite the raked roofline, there's also 17mm more head room than in an ICE GLC. Out back, there's a big 570-litre boot, which extends to 1,740-litres with the rear bench folded. And that new platform provides for a 128-litre under-bonnet 'frunk' for storage of the charging leads.

Market and Model

Mercedes will have noted the ultra-competitive £60,000 starting price for this car's arch-rival, BMW's iX3 of just under £60,000. That's for the iX3 xDrive 50 variant equivalent to the GLC Electric launch variant, the 400 4MATIC. Sure enough, in response, Mercedes has launched the GLC 400 4MATIC electric in base 'Sport' trim at just over £60,000, though the version you'll probably want will cost quite a bit more than that. There are four further trim levels - 'AMG Line', 'AMG Line Premium', 'AMG Line Premium Plus' and top 'Premier Edition'. Mercedes also needs to leave room for owners to spend big on options. Things like air suspension and rear-axle steering. And the big panoramic glass roof, which can be adorned with 162 Mercedes stars which are etched between the layers of glass so that they seem to float and can be made to shine one of 64 colours at a time. You might also want to consider the so-called 'transparent bonnet', a frontward camera system which Mercedes claims can provide support on unpaved roads, allowing you to see rocks ahead of the car that aren't visible from the driver's seat. You can of course add a tow bar. Plus there's an optional 'Vegan package' which features sustainable interior materials, including the seats, the headliner, the door panels and the carpets, all certified by the Vegan Society, with no part of the car's cabin featuring animal-derived products. Obviously, there's an enormous amount of drive assist and camera safety tech, courtesy of 10 external cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors.

Cost of Ownership

You'd expect the new 800V technology in play here to deliver much faster DC charging speeds and sure enough, it does - up to 330kW (though that's still 70kW down on a BMW iX3). This means that 188 miles of electricity can be taken in just 10 minutes. 22 minutes is required for a 10-80% DC charge. AC charging takes 15.25 hours with a 7.4kW wallbox or 10 hours with an 11kW wallbox. Unlike that rival BMW, this Mercedes will need a converter (fortunately included as standard) to ensure compatibility with 400V DC public chargers (the kind you'll find most regularly in motorway service stations). Still, the infotainment system helpfully allows you to reserve charging points in advance. And its navigation set-up uses Electric Intelligence to always plan the fastest and most comfortable route including charging stops at compatible charging stations, considering factors such as topography, route layout and weather information.  The standard multi-source heat pump uses waste heat from the Electric Drive Unit, the battery and ambient air to efficiently heat the interior without draining the battery in cold weather. As you'd expect, the battery can be replenished on the move by regenerative brake energy, a recuperation system that allows for single-pedal driving on its highest setting. Mercedes says that this GLC is 'prepared' for V2G and bi-directional charging, so it can act as a battery or a 'storage solution' in integrated home systems using solar power.

Summary

This electric GLC is a significant step forward from just about every mid-sized EV crossover out there. But unfortunately for Mercedes, the one competitor its electric drivetrain can't quite match is arguably this car's most important rival, the BMW iX3. But the differences in EV range and charging flexibility between the two cars aren't huge. And if you dislike that BMW's rather apologetic looks and like this GLC's arguably even more avant-garde cabin, we can see why you might still want to spend your money Mercedes' way. Assuming you get on with this EV model's aggressive front end. We still don't quite understand why the brand didn't simply call it an EQC. It does after all, share nothing with an ordinary GLC except size. But maybe Mercedes wants to signal that it's moving on from the rather hesitant electric technology of those earlier EQ models. That's entered a new era here. You can't help wondering where it will all end.