Mercedes-Benz Reveals All-New, Electric 2027 GLC With EQ Technology
- Competes with: Audi Q4 e-Tron, BMW iX3, Cadillac Optiq, Porsche Macan Electric
- Looks like: The gas-powered GLC with a bigger grille
- Powertrain: 483-horsepower dual electric motors; 94-kilowatt-hour battery; all-wheel drive
- Hits dealerships: Late 2026
An intense showdown is brewing at this year’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, where BMW and Mercedes-Benz are debuting compact electric SUVs. The X3 and GLC are in the top two on their brands’ sales charts, and now with the iX3 and GLC With EQ Technology, both have all-new EV counterparts.
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Sophisticated Technology
- Key takeaway: The first GLC EV in the U.S. will be the GLC400 4Matic With EQ Technology. It will feature a dual-motor AWD powertrain with a 94-kWh battery, as well as a towing capacity of nearly 5,300 pounds and trailering tech. The electric SUV’s 800-volt architecture will allow for DC fast charging at up to 330 kilowatts.
The foundation for the GLC EV’s powertrain is a 94-kWh battery pack that Mercedes notes was designed with access and long-term serviceability in mind. The brand does not yet have a projected range on the EPA test cycle, but its quoted figure of 443 miles per the European procedure likely will translate to a lower range here, as is typical for such conversions.
The GLC EV’s 800-volt architecture allows the battery to charge at up to 330 kW on a compatible DC fast charger, which Mercedes says will allow it to add as much as 188 miles of range in 10 minutes. Drivers will be able to select from four levels of regenerative braking, with the most aggressive allowing the GLC EV to come to a complete stop without any hydraulic braking upwards of what Mercedes claims is 99% of the time in regular use.
Mercedes is also holding off on releasing any details on the motors that will be used in the GLC EV, saying only that the first model to arrive in the U.S. will be the GLC400 4Matic With EQ Technology. “4Matic” denotes that it will be all-wheel drive, and we do know that Mercedes will be employing a two-speed transmission on the rear motor for improved acceleration and efficiency. (Porsche does the same thing with the Taycan.) A disconnect for the front motor will further enhance efficiency during steady-speed cruising. Exactly what the output of the GLC400’s motors will be is an open question, but for context, the CLA250+ has 268 horsepower, while the CLA350 4Matic generates a total of 349 hp.
Owners who use their electric SUVs for truck stuff will appreciate the GLC400 4Matic’s 5,291-pound towing capacity and Trailer Maneuvering Assist. Details are light on the latter, but it sounds like Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which allows the driver to steer the trailer directly instead of the sometimes tricky geometry of reversing the tow vehicle in the opposite direction to get the trailer to point the way they want it to. A Terrain driving mode will also feature a “transparent hood” function that gives the driver a better look at what’s directly in front of the vehicle below their line of sight.
A Roomier Cabin Packed With Tech
- Key takeaway: With its extended wheelbase and compact electric powertrain, the GLC EV will offer increased interior space. It also gets a 39.1-inch Hyperscreen with an AI-powered virtual assistant, an immersive audio system, and various leather and vegan upholstery options.
The GLC EV’s wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than that of the gas-powered GLC, which translates to 0.5 inch more legroom for the driver and front passenger and an additional 1.9 inches for those in the back seat. The compact electric powertrain allows for similar expansion of headroom, with another 1.8 inches upfront and just under an inch in back. The latter increase is in part due to the standard fixed-glass panoramic moonroof; variable-opacity glass studded with 162 light-up three-pointed Mercedes stars will be available. According to Mercedes’ measurements, there is 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, and maximum storage capacity with the backseat folded expands to 61.4 cubic feet, with another 4.5 cubic feet in the frunk.
The GLC EV boasts what Mercedes says is “the largest continuous screen in a Mercedes-Benz to date,” which is an optional 39.1-inch Hyperscreen with selectable background motifs and instrumentation colors. It’s powered by the automaker’s MB.OS operating system, which integrates artificial intelligence from both Microsoft and Google. Mercedes says that interacting with the system is “like chatting with a friend” and that it switches between the two AI feeds even within the same conversation depending on which is the better source.
In terms of more traditional luxury items, the GLC EV will be available with a range of leathers, including Nappa, as well as metal, wood and carbon-fiber trim options. The optional vegan interior is independently certified as containing no animal or animal-derived products by The Vegan Society; Mercedes claims it is the first automaker to offer such third-party certification for a vegan interior.
No matter what they’re upholstered in, the GLC EV’s seats also boast the endorsement of Germany’s Organization for Healthy Backs for their ergonomic support and adjustability. An available upgraded audio system further stuffs the GLC’s chairs with head restraint speakers and seatback exciters to allow occupants to feel the bass. The immersive audio experience is further enhanced with active ambient lighting elements that sync with the sound.
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Cloaking Innovation in Familiarity
- Key takeaway: The GLC EV features a distinct illuminated grille, flush door handles, optional rear-wheel steering, and an available adaptive air suspension for improved aerodynamics and predictive damping based on other Mercedes vehicles.
Like the iX3, the GLC EV closely resembles its gas-powered counterpart, just with a different nose. Here, the new face is less jarring, with the EQ grille more artfully integrated. Mercedes calls it “an illuminated high-tech masterpiece … exuding prestige and confidence.” The grille’s 942 individually backlit pixels are incorporated into welcome and departure animations that are accompanied by a driver-selectable “aura sound.”
Flush-mounted door handles help maintain a clean profile and a 0.26 drag coefficient. The available adaptive air suspension also contributes to aerodynamic efficiency by keeping the ride height low whenever possible. It also uses navigation data to know when the vehicle is on a highway, and vehicle-to-X communication can allow it to anticipate upcoming road imperfections based on inputs from nearby Mercedes vehicles. Rear-wheel steering will also be available, as will wheels in sizes up to 21 inches.
The Latest Safety Tech
- Key takeaway: While the details for which safety tech will be coming stateside are unknown, Mercedes’ smart partial high beams will be debuting in the U.S. on the GLC EV.
More details on the GLC EV’s safety features will be available as its launch in our market nears, but Mercedes says the vehicle will boast up to 10 cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors to inform a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance tech. The brand promises some degree of semi-autonomous hands-free driving, as well. It also says that its smart partial high beams, which can selectively illuminate portions of the road without blinding oncoming drivers, will be coming to the U.S. for the first time on the GLC EV. The headlights also use a forward-facing camera and navigation data to anticipate upcoming curves and illuminate them.
Release Date and Pricing
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC400 4Matic With EQ Technology will arrive at dealerships toward the end of 2026. Pricing will be available closer to the start of sales.
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