GLC with EQ: Mercedes reinvents its best-selling SUV

GLC with EQ: Mercedes reinvents its best-selling SUV

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Mercedes-Benz first teased its camouflaged electric GLC in August, a model that is set to reimagine the brand's best-selling vehicle. At the time, details were scarce, but fast forward to this year’s IAA Mobility show, and the wait is finally over. 

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Called the GLC with EQ, what’s interesting is that Mercedes didn’t go for a radical departure in design. Instead, they opted for familiarity, seamlessly blending the new electric version with the current GLC lineup. It’s a smart move that will likely make it easier for customers to transition towards EVs without losing that classic GLC identity.

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And make no mistake, the GLC with EQ is gorgeous. It’s still very much a GLC, but with sharper details that give it a fresh electric edge. Up front, you’ll find a reworked illuminated chrome grille, a first for the model, flanked by sleek full-LED headlights, with the option of what Merc calls the high-tech Digital Light system. At the rear, there are two-part taillights with star motifs, flush-fitting door handles, roof rails, and a two-piece roof spoiler with a contrasting black lip. 

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Step inside, and the new GLC keeps things in line with the brand’s ‘Sensual Purity’ design language, which is similar to what you’ll find in the S-Class, the latest E-Class, and the CLA. The idea is simple: keep the cabin clean, modern, and clutter-free. Front and centre is the optional 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen, which stretches across the dashboard. Add in features like ambient lighting for the panoramic sunroof, and you’ve got a cabin that feels futuristic. Mercedes has also taken a significant step toward sustainability by making vegan materials the standard throughout the interior, from seat upholstery to the headliner, door panels, and even the carpeting.

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Beneath the floor sits a 94.0kWh battery pack feeding power to electric motors on both axles. In the GLC 400 4Matic, that translates into a healthy 360kW on tap. Range? Up to 713km between charges, so long road trips shouldn’t be a worry. And when you do need a top-up, the 800-volt system and 330kW fast charging mean you can add as much as 303km of range in just 10 minutes. Pretty impressive. Performance is equally strong, with a top speed of 210km/h, with power delivery handled by a slick 2-speed gearbox mounted at the rear.

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To make sure all that speed and range feels effortless, Mercedes has borrowed its Airmatic air suspension from the S-Class but pairs it with the Car-to-X function, which automatically adjusts damping based on upcoming road conditions. 

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For now, the Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ hasn’t been confirmed for SA, but reports suggest it will go on sale in the United States in 2026. If it does make its way here, we can expect it to arrive in 2026 or 2027, likely following the introduction of the conventional GLC models. Judging by what it brings to the table, from range and performance to tech and comfort, it promises to be a very compelling addition to the lineup.

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