Mercedes opens the order books for the GLC in Europe

The prices quoted here refer to Germany. According to Mercedes, however, the electric GLC can be ordered “in almost all European markets” from today. Although over €60,000 is a lot of money, Mercedes states that the electric model is “comparable in price to the combustion engine model.”

Although the GLC 200 d 4MATIC can be purchased for less than €59,000, this is only a 120 kW model. The GLC 400 e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid with EQ Hybrid technology has the same rating as the new electric model, delivers 185 kW from the combustion engine and 115 kW from the electric part of the powertrain – and is more expensive with a base price of €64,340. To match the performance data of the electric GLC 400 4MATIC in the combustion engine world, you need the AMG models – with prices starting at €77,000 and above.

In the online configurator for the electric GLC, Mercedes-Benz offers four options – either a completely customised configuration or one of three ‘exclusive configuration recommendations with a hand-picked collection of equipment’. However, these can be adjusted later on. The three recommendations are called ‘Efficiency’ from €64,120.25 with a WLTP range of 714 kilometres, “Everybody’s Darling” with “dynamic design and state-of-the-art technology” starting at €73,086.10 (and a WLTP range of 639 kilometres), and “Exclusive & Sporty” with “intelligent equipment for comfort, efficiency and smart assistance” starting at €94,441.97. Whether the recommendations also offer advantages in terms of delivery time is not specified.

However, the WLTP range of over 700 kilometres for the ‘Efficiency’ model (and also for custom configurations) is only available with a special model called the ‘Long Range Edition’ for an additional £3,403. This special model includes the ‘Agility & Comfort Package’, special 19-inch rims with rolling resistance-optimised tyres and aluminium-look running boards with rubber studs. The running boards have already increased the range slightly in the EQE and EQS SUV models, as they improve airflow to the rear and thus contribute to more efficient aerodynamics.

If you opt for an individual configuration, in addition to the standard equipment (including panoramic roof, heat and sound-insulating acoustic glass, LED headlights, rear view camera, driver display (10.3″), media display (14″), automatic climate control and heated front seats), there are three additional packages available: the Advanced Plus package with digital extras, the Premium package with digital extras and the Premium Plus package with digital extras. The latter includes the Hyperscreen, air-conditioned seats, Digital Light, a 4D sound system from Burmester and an illuminated pattern in the panoramic roof. The AMG Line with its modifications to the front apron, rear apron and 20-inch rims is available as an option.

At launch, Mercedes is also offering the electric GLC “at an attractive monthly leasing rate of €475 for private customers.” According to the footnote, this monthly rate applies to a 36-month term and 15,000 kilometres per year, but also with a special leasing payment of 20 per cent. At the list price of the GLC 400 4MATIC, that amounts to over €14,250.

“The GLC has been Mercedes-Benz’s most popular model for years and is the global leader in its segment. We want to continue this success with the fully electric GLC,” said Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Sales. “This vehicle combines everyday practicality, a long range and iconic design, and conveys the brand promise ‘Welcome Home’ more than ever before. Mercedes-Benz has listened to customer feedback worldwide and delivered a fully electric model that marks a turning point in the mid-range segment. Our goal is to make the switch to electric mobility easier, which is why we are offering the fully electric GLC at a comparable price to the combustion engine models.”

In order to follow up on the success of the combustion engine GLC, Mercedes has decided to change its strategy for its electric cars: Instead of designing the electric models on their own platforms to be fundamentally different from the combustion engines, the electric cars and combustion engines should be as similar as possible in future – yet still be based on different platforms in order to exploit the advantages of the respective technologies, according to Mercedes.

In practice, this means that the GLC with EQ technology unveiled in Munich in September features a large, illuminated chrome grille. “This iconic grille is more than just a striking design element. It redefines the face of the brand and exudes prestige and self-confidence,” says Mercedes. However, as it was also designed as a battery-electric vehicle, it offers more interior space than the combustion engine version and has an 800-volt system that provides a range of over 700 kilometres and up to 303 kilometres of additional range in ten minutes. You can read all the relevant data in our article on the world premiere.

As with the electric CLA, for which a second drive variant has been available to order since last week (the CLA 200 from €46,950), further variants are likely to follow for the electric GLC – whether there will also be a rear-wheel drive model with a particularly long range is not yet known. The combustion engine GLC is always offered with all-wheel drive. A total of four additional electric models will follow from Mercedes in the near future, “two of them in the course of 2026.” These are likely to be the CLA Shooting Brake, which has already been unveiled, and the electric C-Class, which will be based on the technology used in the GLC.

mercedes-benz.com (announcement), mercedes-benz.de (configurator)

This article was first published by Sebastian Schaal for electrive’s German edition.