Mercedes-Benz has officially opened UK orders for the all-new electric GLC 250, introducing a more affordable rear-wheel-drive entry point to its electric SUV line-up.

Starting at £55,495 for the Sport specification, the new variant joins the existing dual-motor GLC 400 4Matic, undercutting its sibling by just under £5,000.

The GLC 250 shifts away from the 489hp dual-motor setup of its sibling, utilising a single, 354hp electric motor on the rear axle. It’s able to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds, compared with 4.3 seconds for the GLC 400 4Matic, while retaining the same 130mph top speed.

To achieve its more accessible price point, the entry-level model features a slightly downsized 85kWh battery pack, compared to the 94kWh unit found in its higher-powered sibling. Despite the smaller capacity, the more efficient rear-wheel-drive setup allows the GLC 250 to deliver a highly competitive maximum WLTP range of up to 389 miles – just a minor drop from the GLC 400’s 405-mile capability.

Charging remains incredibly fast. The vehicle supports DC rapid charging at speeds of up to 320kW, which is only marginally lower than the GLC 400’s 330 kW ceiling. When plugged into a compatible high-power charger, a 10-80% top-up takes 22 minutes.

Despite its status as the entry point to the range, the GLC 250 offers the exact same five trim choices as the pricier GLC 400: Sport, AMG Line, AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus, and the Premier Edition.

The vehicle retains strong utility credentials, featuring a 128-litre front trunk (frunk) and a towing capacity of up to 2.2 tonnes. Buyers looking for maximum ride quality can select the optional Refinement Package, which bundles intelligent Airmatic air suspension and 4.5-degree rear‑axle steering for enhanced manoeuvrability.

The interior centres around high-end connectivity. At 39.1 inches, the MBUX Hyperscreen that’s fitted to AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus and Premier Edition specifications is the largest display ever available on a Mercedes-Benz SUV. It’s powered by the Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which seamlessly connects infotainment, comfort, charging and driver assistance while enabling regular over‑the‑air updates via the Mercedes‑Benz Intelligent Cloud.

Advanced driver assistance is bundled under MB.Drive, with standard features such as Distronic Distance Assist and Parking Assist, and optional packages extending functionality up to SAE Level‑2‑supported assisted driving and 360‑degree surround visibility when parking.

The launch comes during a milestone anniversary year for the German automaker, which reports that the electric GLC platform has already generated more orders than any other electric vehicle in the company’s history. To meet this high demand, production is running on a round-the-clock, three-shift operation at the brand’s manufacturing plant in Bremen, Germany.