Star-Stricken Mercedes GLC EV Has A Grille Big Enough To Swallow A BMW iX3

Update: Fresh from the floor at the Munich Motor Show, we’ve added live shots of the new GLC with EQ Technology in all its illuminated-grille glory. Check out the gallery to decide for yourself whether it’s eye-catching, overdone, or maybe a bit of both.

While BMW has moved away from massive kidney grilles with its second-generation iX3 unveiled late last week, Mercedes-Benz has doubled down on the industry’s fascination with huge grilles, presenting the new GLC with EQ Technology at the Munich motor show. The all-electric SUV will join the Mercedes line-up in the first half of 2026, serving as a successor to the poor-selling EQC.

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

Stand Out Looks

Visually, the new GLC with EQ Technology has similar proportions and a familiar shape to the current ICE-powered GLC, but features all-new front and rear fascias for the Mercedes brand. The most striking element of the new design is a reinterpretation of the classic Mercedes grille, now offered in an illuminated version with 942 small squares illuminated by 140 individual LEDs. Some will love it, while others will think it’s cheap and tacky, but there’s no denying it’s eye-catching.

Read: Mercedes Is Making A New Model For Americans In America

The headlights are also all-new and feature star-shaped (see a theme here?) LED daytime running lights, a design element that will become a signature across the entire Mercedes lineup. Plenty is going on at the rear, too, including similar star-shaped LED lights and a two-piece roof spoiler.

Photos Stefan Baldauf & Guido ten Brink

Tech-Heavy Cabin

Mercedes has long built some of the finest interiors on the market, and it’s left no stone unturned in modernizing the cabin of the GLC for the electric era. The tech-heavy design is highlighted by the new seamless MBUX Hyperscreen, measuring 39.1 inches (99.3 cm) and stretching across the entire width of the dashboard.

Elsewhere, Mercedes has added an intricate ambient lighting system, but the real showstopper is the panoramic glass roof. It can shift from transparent to opaque across nine individually switchable segments, and for those who want something extra, an optional constellation of 162 illuminated stars creates what the brand calls a “magical experience.”

Positioned to the sides of the massive screen are gorgeous circular air vents, while located below it are two rectangular vents. There are also two cupholders and two wireless phone chargers on the floating console, making for what is a very minimalist design by Mercedes-Benz standards.

Power And Range

Now onto the mechanical stuff. The wheelbase of the GLC with EQ stretches 117 inches (2,972 mm), making it 3.1 inches (8 cm) longer than the combustion model. This boosts front and rear legroom and headroom. There’s also 570 liters (20 cubic feet) of cargo space in the rear and a 128-liter (4.5 cubic-foot) frunk.

All versions of the electric GLC use the same 94 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Mercedes has confirmed the range will launch with a flagship GLC 400 4MATIC version delivering 483 hp through a twin-motor system, but four other versions will follow.

Performance times haven’t been announced, but Mercedes says the GLC with EQ Tech will be able to drive up to 443 miles (713 km) on a single charge under the WLTP cycle. That’s not the only impressive thing. Thanks to the new-generation battery pack, the GLC supports DC charging speeds of up to 330 kW, meaning 186 miles (300 km) of range can be added in just 10 minutes.

S-Class Suspension

Shoppers will be able to order the new GLC with the same Airmatic air suspension as the S-Class, complete with rear-axle steering and intelligent suspension control, aiming to improve comfort significantly. This system also communicates with traffic infrastructure to sense and respond to impending bumps in the road. The air suspension also uses Google Maps data to ensure the car is in its lowest possible setting for as long as possible, boosting efficiency. For example, if you’re on a highway and have to slow down for road works, the GLC will remain in its squatted position, whereas other cars using speed-sensitive air suspension often rise at lower speeds.

Mercedes-Benz is also boasting about a significantly improved brake regeneration system. Four different levels of recuperation are available, with the highest setting providing up to 300 kW of regen.

When Can I Get One?

Market-specific pricing details will be released at a later date. In the meantime, let us know what you think of the new GLC with EQ Technology below. Will it be a hit, or will it be a miss?