Mercedes’ new electric GLC is now available to order in the UK, just weeks after its debut at the Manheim motor show as a new rival to the BMW iX3.

The unofficial successor to the EQC, the new model joins the combustion-powered GLC although it sits on a different platform and is “built electric-first, as the first model in a completely new vehicle family”.

It’s claimed to excel in performance, range, efficiency and charging speed, and said to set new standards in its class for design, value, versatility and space.

Larger than the combustion GLC, the electric GLC delivers more legroom and headroom while the boot provides 520 litres of capacity up to the tonneau cover and 1,690 litres with the rear seats folded down. The frunk adds in an extra 128 litres of load capacity.

For those using the GLC as a lifestyle vehicle, the electric version can be specified with a trailer coupling and offers a maximum towing capacity of 2.4 tonnes (braked), together with ESP trailer stabilisation. Drawbar load is 100kg.

From launch, the electric GLC will be offered as the high-performance, all-wheel-drive GLC 400 4Matic with a dual-motor powertrain for 489hp of power and with up to 406 miles of range. Additional drive and battery configurations will arrive in the future, catering for diverse driver requirements.

The GLC 400 4Matic is equipped with two powerful electric drive units – one mounted on each axle – giving zero to 62mph acceleration in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 130mph.

The primary rear electric drive unit (EDU) incorporates a two-speed transmission for outright acceleration and driving efficiency, while a disconnect unit (DCU) allows the front drive unit to be engaged or disengaged almost instantly depending on the driving situation.

It’s fitted with a 94kWh lithium-ion battery for a range of up to 406 miles in UK specification. This can be recharged at speeds of up to 330kW at high-power 800V DC charging stations. A DC converter, to enable charging at lower-power 400V charging stations, is equipped as standard. AC charging is possible at 11kW, though a 22kW AC charging system can be specified.

The electric GLC also comes with a multi-source heat pump and a new One-Box braking system, which combines the previously separate components of brake booster, master cylinder and ESP control unit into a single module. Almost all braking in the new GLC is carried out purely by recuperation. Drivers have a choice of four selectable recuperation levels; in the highest ‘D’ mode, the vehicle decelerates with sufficient strength that the hydraulic brake system is not needed in over 99% of cases, Mercedes says.

UK customers can choose from five distinct specifications: Sport, AMG Line, AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus and Premier Edition.

The electric GLC can be specified with Airmatic air suspension with intelligent suspension control and rear-axle steering in the form of the Refinement Package. The new Car-to-X function allows the damping to be electrically adjusted based on information from a Mercedes‑Benz vehicle driving ahead, which is transmitted in real time via the mobile network to the Mercedes‑Benz Cloud and anonymised.

Airmatic also draws on Google Maps data for intell to keep the GLC’s ride height as low as possible for as long as possible, reducing aerodynamic drag and energy consumption. The driver can choose to raise the ride height manually – and this is now possible by voice control.

Mercedes tells us that the passive safety concept for the new GLC is based on an intelligently engineered bodyshell with an exceptionally rigid passenger cell. Safety measures relating to the GLC’s high-voltage electrical system “go above and beyond legal requirements to ensure that, after an accident, no danger arises from electrical components to occupants, first responders or rescue personnel”.

The GLC gets Mercedes’ Pre-Safe measures as standard, enabling vehicles can react to hazards before an accident occurs. Other active safety and assistance systems fitted to all UK-specification electric GLCs include distance assist adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist, active lane keeping assist, brake assist and traffic sign assist.

Options include MB. Drive Assist, which complements the distance assist with steering assist and lane change assist.

The electric GLC is equipped with the MBUX Superscreen as standard, which combines three separate displays under a large glass surface: a 10.3-inch instrument cluster, 14-inch central display and 14-inch passenger display.

But in Sport specification, the passenger screen is only used as a photo display and it’s only from AMG Line specification that a fully functional front passenger display is installed. From AMG Line Premium specification upwards, the electric GLC comes with the all-new 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen – the largest display ever fitted to a Mercedes-Benz.

Equipment fitted as standard to the electric GLC in Sport specification includes the Sky Control panoramic roof, featuring a large glass surface divided into nine zones that can be switched between transparent and opaque. For AMG Line Premium Plus and Premier Edition specifications, 162 illuminated stars are integrated into the glass panel and can be dimmed or deactivated.

Sport specification also comes with 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, heat and noise insulating privacy glass, LED high performance headlamps with Active Highbeam Assist, heated comfort seats, two-zone climate control, wireless charging for mobile devices and the Parking Package with MB.Drive Parking Assist and a reversing camera.

AMG Line specification adds AMG bodystyling, AMG sports seats and the Memory Package.

AMG Line Premium gets the latest Digital Light headlamps with micro-LED technology, along with Keyless Go with flush-fitting door handles, the Winter Package, Energizing Air Control, the Parking Package with 360-degree camera, and the Burmester 3D Surround Sound System.

AMG Line Premium Plus adds the Burmester High-End 4D Surround Sound System, projection functions for the Digital Light headlamps and new sports seats with massage and climate control functions.

Prices start at £60,3502 for the GLC 400 4MATIC in Sport specification and customer deliveries will begin in mid-2026.