So far, Mercedes-Benz’s electrification efforts haven’t really gone the way it hoped they would. So, it’s doing a bit of a reset with the all-new, all-electric 2026 GLC. Poised as a direct rival to the also-just-unveiled BMW iX3, the GLC with EQ Technology (that is its full name, by the way) launches a whole new design language, interior tech catering fully to the AI generation, and brings back the volume knob.
It wouldn’t be a soft reboot without a visual overhaul, and the electric GLC indeed gets a design that’s arguably unlike any production Mercedes before it.
There’s a new and very imposing signature front grille that lights up brighter than the average Christmas tree—Mercedes is finally joining a longstanding luxury car bandwagon it’s largely sidestepped up until this point.
The rear, meanwhile, gets a taillight bar reminiscent of the Concept AMG GT XX that recently broke a bunch of EV distance records, running continuously for at 186 mph for more than seven-and-a-half days straight… which itself traces roots from the Wankel-powered C111 Concept from the ’60s and ’70s. I don’t think it’s a crazy thing to say that I like the back of this car a lot more than I like the front, but perhaps this is one of those vehicles that’s better appreciated in the metal rather than in pictures.
The Car Stuff
Launching as a GLC 400 4Matic, this car will make 483 horsepower from two electric motors and boast a Benz-estimated 443 miles of range on the WLTP cycle thanks to a new-gen 94-kWh battery.
That battery, helped by an 800-volt electric architecture, is said to charge much quicker than before, with a max DC fast charge speed of 330 kW and Mercedes forecasting 188 miles of range recoupable in 10 minutes. The battery itself now uses less cobalt and is fastened by screws rather than adhesives for easier serviceability and replacement.
Two electric motors provide thrust, and the one on the rear axle actually uses a two-speed transmission à la the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT to better balance performance and efficiency. First gear has a 11:1 ratio for better off-the-line acceleration, towing, and city efficiency while the 5:1 second gear is better for high-speed power delivery and highway cruising. Acceleration figures are TBD, but the GLC 400 is electronically limited to 130 mph.
Other driving-related tech includes a new “One-Box” braking system that’s said to improve pedal feel (a sore point with some entry-level Benzes I’ve driven) while maximizing the use of regenerative braking over physical wheel brakes. Available intelligent air suspension is inherited from the S-Class, you can opt for 4.5 degrees of rear-wheel steering, a Terrain Mode and “transparent hood” camera functionality gives it some off-road cred, while 10 cameras, five radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensor combine to make up MB.DRIVE ADAS.
As a transportation device, this is more spacious than the gas GLC—the wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than that car—and it’s able to tow up to 5,291 pounds. Unlike some earlier electric Benzes, where the front is actually locked, the electric GLC has a 4.5-cubic-foot frunk.
The Tech
The GLC’s new, optional 39.1-inch Hyperscreen inside is the biggest continuous MB display to date and arguably the star of the show—the EQS’ “56-inch” screen was, in reality, three screens masquerading as one, and lower GLC trims will still use something similar. The top GLC Hyperscreen, though, is truly one big unit. It all runs on an “AI-driven MB.OX supercomputer” said to control everything the car does, from infotainment to ADAS to charging. AI is used to learn your preferences, and it’s all hooked up to the Mercedes cloud to receive updates.
MBUX’s virtual assistant uses both Microsoft Bing Search and the infamously agreeable ChatGPT-4o to answer virtually any question you can throw at it (e.g., “What is the meaning of life?”) while a Google Gemini-developed, Google Maps-accessing model handles navigation-related queries. Don’t worry, iPhone users, Apple CarPlay is still seemingly around, as it is mentioned once in Benz’s 29-page release in a blurb about Dolby Atmos audio. Android Auto, however, goes conspicuously unmentioned.
It’s not all bad news for Luddites, though, because MB has brought back physical controls on the steering wheel for cruise control and volume adjustments, specifically citing customer feedback. There’s even a physical volume roller on the center console again.
Other physical interior niceties include new seats, active ambient lighting, a third-party certified Vegan Package, and a standard pano roof with the option of Sky Control that lets you choose between transparent and opaque in nine zones and incorporates 162 illuminatable “stars” in the glass.
What If I Want One?
Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4Matic with EQ Technology (what a name) is TBD but Merc says it’ll drop in the U.S. starting the second half of 2026, potentially making this a 2027 model year vehicle. If I had to guess, I’d predict a starting price similar to that of the BMW iX3, so somewhere around $60,000.
The new BMW model and (if Chris is right) this one are priced aggressively (to the good). That’s an interesting strategy!
That grille. Why?
I thought they were going to try to make their TVs less ugly but oh my god that’s so bad! This isn’t even GTA car level, this is like a generic car out of a video game that’s like 2 tiers lower
Holy fuck that is one of the ugliest cars I’ve ever seen – even worse than the mess that BMW has been producing for a few years now.
Nothing cohesive about the design. Like you took that massive grill from one car, used the headlights from another, taillights from another still, and slapped them onto some overly designed sheetmetal. The half-circles of the taillights look so amateur-hour. Same with the DRLs of the headlights. Very cartoonish.
At least with the BMW massive grills, you know they were looking for a shock-factor. Something big and bold that was in your face, but with this M-B design they probably thought this was a handsome design. And that’s makes it sad.
ooof
Taking bets on if the Ai integration is part of a subscription service?
How much will they knock off the purchase price to decline the free trial period?
I’d be delighted not to pay for it.
The AI bubble can’t pop soon enough.
This Mercedes’ specs all seem mostly worse than the BMW iX3’s, so it better be priced well.
Against the iX3:
– Battery: 94kWh vs 109kWh
– WLTP range: 443mi vs 501mi
– 10-80% charge time: 24 vs 21 mins
– Peak charge rate: 330kW vs 400kW
– WLTP efficiency: 4.7 vs 4.6 mi/kWh
– Power: 483 vs 463hp
The Merc could make back some of the difference with better high speed efficiency (2-speed gearbox), lighter weight (15kWh battery is ~75kg/165lb), and the fact that the BMW needs 400kW to achieve 10-80% in 21 minutes when US chargers are generally capped at 350kW (similar chargers reach 400kW in EU).
“max DC fast charge speed of 330 kW and … 188 miles … in 10 minutes”
That’s 188/443=42.4% or 40kWh in 10 minutes, which is an average of 240kW, and assuming that started at 10% charge, 111kW average for the remaining 14 minutes to 80%.
The iX3 is a mighty, mighty compelling product on paper.
The light up front end is garish, but this is a vast improvement over their current EV styling.
I actually don’t mind the exterior styling but that interior that’s quite literally one giant screen is a crime against humanity
Not sure about the rest, but I love the 3 pointed stars in the headlights and taillights.
LOOK AT ME, I’M DRIVING A MERCEDES-BENZ!!!!!!!!!!
what an ugly mofo… Can’t believe they’re stealing some mazda design cues from the rear yet make it look horrid
So MB saw BMWs recent grilles and said, “I can do that too!”
That’s not a car.
I don’t understand how Mercedes Benz is so bad at styling their EVs yet can style their gas cars so well (for the most part).
Most of their ICE cars have been pretty horrible for years now, just no one was willing to admit it because of their rich history.
You slap that 3-pointed star on anything, and there is a percent of the population that are label-whores that will magically like the car regardless of how bad it is.
Well, it doesn’t look like an EQ model… That’s all I really have to say about that