2026 Mercedes GLC arrives with 435-mile range and massive 39-inch touchscreen

September 8, 2025 George East

The new, all-electric Mercedes GLC has been unveiled at the 2025 Munich motor show, with a WLTP range of up to 435 miles and the first look at Mercedes’ electric-only ‘Iconic Grille’.

A replacement for the now-discontinued EQC, the new Mercedes GLC shares its name and general look with its combustion-engined sibling. However, the electric version sits on a different underpinnings – Mercedes’ new MB.EA platform designed for medium/large cars, which comes with 800V electrical architecture to allow for charging speeds up to 330kW.

The new Mercedes GLC is bigger than the car it replaces, offering more interior and luggage space (Image: Mercedes-Benz)

Like the CLA EQ, Mercedes will fit the GLC with a region-specific DC converter to allow the use of 400V public chargers. Mercedes has yet to announce any further details about the five different power outputs that will comprise the GLC family in the future. It did, however, confirm that the range-topping GLC EQ 400 will come with 483bhp and a 94kWh battery.

This flagship model will be powered by a dual-motor powertrain with a newly-introduced permanent magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle, and a new front motor that can disconnect when required.

Will the new GLC’s 39.1-incher kick off a new ‘screen war’ within the EV world? (Image: Mercedes-Benz)

In terms of aesthetics, the Mercedes GLC is equally as daring inside and out. The new upright Iconic Grille reflects Mercedes’ models of yore, and is illuminated by over 100 LEDs. Inside, the new GLC’s cabin promises to combine “analogue luxury” with “digital elegeance”. The fully vegan, soft-touch interior can be optioned with the largest seamless digital screen ever offered in a Mercedes, which measures a huge 39.1-inches.

Under the skin, the Mercedes GLC comes with a multi-link suspension front and rear, while optional air suspsension can lower the car on faster roads to reduce drag and eke out further range. Rear-wheel steering – another option – can bring the car’s turning circle to 11.2 metres.

The range-topping GLC EQ 400 with an AMG bodykit (Image: Mercedes-Benz)

The new GLC is roughly the same length as its ICE counterpart, but at 2.97 metres long, its wheelbase is 80cm longer and almost 10cm longer than the previous EQC. In terms of further practicality, the Mercedes GLC gets a 570-litre boot and a 128-litre frunk.

The GLC will go on sale in 2026, with pricing yet to be confirmed. For reference, the combustion-engined version starts at £54,540, while the EQC began at around £65,000. The new Mercedes GLC is part of the “biggest launch programme” in the brand’s history, whereby the German brand is aiming to blitz the market with 15 new or updated EVs by 2027.

Upcoming Mercedes C-Class EV to share platform with GLC

Mercedes confirmed via a teaser image in Munich that its upcoming, fully electric C-Class will share its MB.EA platform and powertrains with the GLC and offer up to 500 miles of range.

Mercedes’ answer to the upcoming electric BMW 3 Series, the all-electric C-Class will get its own take on the backlit ‘Iconic Grille’ with four slats instead of the SUV’s three.

The C-Class will also get the LED grille treatment (Image: Mercedes-Benz)

Underneath, the C-Class will offer a maximum range of 497 miles and draw its power from a 94kWh battery. Given its shared underpinnings with the GLC, it is expected that it can be charged at speeds of up to 330kW thank to its 800V architecture.

Despite the teaser image, no further information about the electric C-Class model was made available.

Mercedes GLA electric set for late 2026 arrival

As part of its Munich model bonanza, Mercedes chairmain Ola Källenius confirmed that it will launch an all-electric version of its third-generation GLA crossover towards the end of 2026. When it arrives, it will replace the first-gen EQA EV and the second-gen internal combustion-engined GLA, and serve as Mercedes’ entry-model EV.

The existing Mercedes GLA (pictured) will be replaced in 2026 by a third-gen model (Image: Mercedes-Benz)

Like the GLC and upcoming electric C-Class, it will feature the new Mercedes Iconic Grille and be larger than the existing GLA. Inside, the electric GLA is expected to go big on the screens and come with a AI-supported infotainment functions. It will also benefit from a frunk – something the EQA didn’t get.

The GLA will be underpinned by the 800V MB.EA architecture as the new CLA, the latter of which comes with a choice of either a 58.5kWh or an 85kWh battery returning 484 miles from a single charge.