Summary
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric (“GLC with EQ Technology”, to give it its full name) is a mid-sized electric SUV and the battery-powered sister model of the GLC SUV, which is the brand’s best-selling model worldwide.
The GLC Electric effectively replaces the previous Mercedes EQC, which was sold between 2019 and 2023. The new name reflects Mercedes’ latest plan to simplify its complex and confusing naming strategy, where ‘EQ’ model names will be phased out and electric models will be aligned with their fossil fuel-powered equivalents.
As such, the GLC Electric is a similar size to the petrol/diesel/hybrid GLC, which was launched in 2022. However, the two cars are completely different vehicles, with the GLC Electric model being designed and constructed as a dedicated EV (rather than being adapted from a petrol model like the company’s smaller SUVs, the EQA and EQB), so we’re not sure if this is really reducing confusion.
The GLC Electric is the first model in a new range of Mercedes-Benz EVs, and showcases the company’s latest design and engineering directions, and is the marque’s answer to the highly-regarded BMW iX3. “It’s comfortable and quiet with a long electric range”, says Carwow’s Tom Wiltshire, “but can’t outshine the iX3” which “beats the GLC for price and for range.”
Beyond pricing – the cheapest version of the iX3 costs around £2k less than the entry-level GLC EQ at the time of wriiting, the Top Gear team labels the electric GLC as the new comfort benchmark for the mid-sized SUV class, while arguing that its iX3 is the better driver’s car.
As of August 2026, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 67%. It scores top marks for its media review scores, but running costs are high. As yet, GLC Electric has not been assessed for safety by Euro NCAP – assuming that it performs well, as Mercedes models usually do, this could increase the overall Expert Rating score in coming months.
- Mercedes-Benz GLC (2022 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Mercedes-Benz Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
GLC Electric highlights
- Class-leading comfort and very quiet driving
- Impressive tech suite
- Spacious and practical interior design
- Fast charging speeds
GLC Electric lowlights
- Not as nimble as the BMW iX3
- Rivals offer a longer battery range
- Screen-dominated cabin may be too gaudy for some
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV
Engines: electric, all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive
Price: from £55,495
Launched: Spring 2026
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Featured reviews
“The Mercedes GLC is super-quiet on the move and the tech levels are impressive – but it’s not as good to drive and doesn’t have as long a range as the BMW iX3.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Tom Wiltshire
“First impressions of the somewhat gaudy cabin with its giant screens might put some off but this is an extremely roomy, user-friendly and well-thought out family car. Performance is powerful but the GLC EV is focused on comfort; the ride is smooth in all versions, refinement is strong and it’s easy to drive.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Auto Express
Steve Walker
More reviews
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s immensely clever and cutting edge but the looks and driving manners are somewhat chintzier than the more modernist iX3. If neither of these appeal the Volvo EX60 offers a convincing alternative wrapped in signature Scandi-cool.”
Author: Dan Trent
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“It’s not a reinvention like the BMW iX3, but rather a true translation of the Mercedes brand into an EV. This is a car that prizes comfort, refinement, and serenity above all – think relaxation pod, not a Nürburgring record-setter.”
Author: Piers Ward, Curtis Moldrich
Read review
Electrifying.com
Score: 8 / 10
“While the grille and screen-filled interior are bound to be the new GLC’s most talked about features, it also has the specification to rival the very latest competitors, with a huge range and top efficiency. It’s spacious too – but it’s likely to be pricey.”
Author: Tom Barnard
Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes GLC Electric rolls out a load of clever EV technology and uses it to soothe, rather than entertain, its driver.”
Author: Steve Walker
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Merc is happy to cede ground to the BMW iX3 as the better driver’s car, but wants the GLC electric to be the comfort benchmark. And it is.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
As of August 2026, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of August 2026, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the GLC Electric is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 397 miles | A |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4 m/KWh | C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 50 | F |
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric is a relatively expensive car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
The SUV’s average battery range of 397 miles is competitive, as is the car’s electrical efficiency (the battery-powered equivalent on miles per gallon) of 4m/KWh, though the data reveals that close rivals like the BMW iX3 and Volvo EX60 are ever so slightly more efficient on average.
The standout of annual cost for the electric GLC is the estimated insurance premium, which sits in the highest bracket possible. The BMW iX3 is by no means cheap to insure, but the BMW’s insurance premiums sit in a cheaper bracket.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric is a brand-new model, so we won’t have enough reliability data to generate a reliability rating for some time.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the GLC Electric, we’ll publish the results here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric
| Overall rating | A | 82% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | Unlimited miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
Mercedes-Benz’s standard new car warranty is not much better than the bare minimum offered by car companies in the UK, running for three years, with no limit on mileage.
In addition to the standard new car warranty, there’s an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric
As of August 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric. However, recall information is updated very regularly (even though the car has not yet gone on sale in the UK), so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at a new or used Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Audi Q6 e-tron | BMW iX3 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia EV6 | Mini Countryman Electric | Nissan Ariya | Peugeot e-3008 | Polestar 2 | Porsche Macan Electric | Skoda Enyaq | Smart #3 | Tesla Model Y | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volvo EX60
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Mercedes-Benz GLC family at The Car Expert
Buy a Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Lease a Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric
If you’re looking to lease a new Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carwow. Find out more
Subscribe to a Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from SelfDrive.
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Car subscriptions from DriveFuze.
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Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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