Mercedes-Benz GLC EV review: Clean run
The Mercedes-Benz GLC EV you see here is not merely an electric derivative of the GLC you and I are familiar with. It’s built on an all-electric platform, and it’s longer, wider, and built on a slightly larger wheelbase than the GLC. And it also does 0-100kph in just 4.3 seconds.
The big news is that it’s coming to India by the end of the year. There’s lots to talk about, so let’s go one by one.
Mercedes-Benz GLC EV Exterior Design and Engineering -
Let’s talk styling first, and what catches your attention up front is this large new grille. It’s very different from what we’ve seen of Mercs of late, but it actually has a link to Mercs of old. The upright grille is styled to look like the one on iconic models like the W112 S-Class, but there’s a lot of modernity built into it as well. There are 942 lighting elements in it! Talking of lighting, the three-pointed star on the nose glows and there’s a tri-star DRL pattern in the headlights too. And unlike other Merc EVs from the (recent) past, there is a functional frunk with a handy 129 litres of space.
The GLC EV doesn’t look all too different to the ICE GLC in profile. Which is to say it is not an upright SUV but curvy, low-slung and aerodynamic. What is noticeably different is the wheelbase, which is a full 84mm longer. Mind you, this is the standard wheelbase GLC EV. There’s a long-wheelbase version sold in markets like China. India will get the GLC with 20-inch rims and flush-fitted door handles that pop out when the doors are unlocked.
Styling at the back is quite distinct from the other lot of Mercedes SUVs, and that’s thanks to a band of black that runs the width of the tailgate. There’s full-LED lighting at the back replete with three-pointed star light signatures.
The powered tailgate opens up to a 570-litre luggage area, which is quite sizable. The only catch is that there’s no space for a spare tyre. Mercedes India will probably have to provide one to sit on the boot floor, which means not much space will be left for luggage.
Before we proceed, I have to admit, I didn’t like what I saw of the GLC EV in pictures. In reality, it is eye-catching, and in a very good way.
Mercedes-Benz GLC EV Interior Space and Comfort -
That new-age Mercedes vibe continues inside too, and that feeling is all thanks to a 39-inch Hyperscreen that extends nearly the entire width of the dash. There’s a seamless connection between the digital instrument cluster, the centre touchscreen and front passenger display, and it does look really impressive. That being said, the screens have taken away some of the warmth that you’d expect in a Merc.
In terms of quality, though, the GLC EV feels like an expensive Mercedes. There’s open-pore wood, the AC vents operate with very satisfying clicks and clacks, and physical rotary controllers make a welcome comeback to the steering wheel.
The front seats are as comfy as they look, with multi-way powered adjustment, massage and heating. We expect the model for India to pack in ventilation as well.
It’s at the back where things get really interesting for buyers confused between a GLC and a GLC EV. Rear seat space is a bit more generous than the standard GLC. There’s also good foot room under the front seats, which is not something you can say about all EVs, and even the seating position isn’t the typical knees-up that we’ve come to associate with EVs. A longer seat squab would have upped the experience. Also, the rear seat is best for two. A middle passenger will have to contend with a high centre tunnel.
Mercedes-Benz GLC EV Features and Safety -
The Hyperscreen is the focal point of the dash and delivers brilliant graphics across the entire display. The digital dials, centre touchscreen and passenger screen appear to be part of a seamless display and look terrific. There are themes for the screen too that also adjust other functions for the full effect. For instance, a bonfire on the screen will be accompanied by the seat heating coming on.
The thing is, there’s just too much packed onto the centre touchscreen. The UI is good but more physical controls would just make life easier. The passenger display is slick in its own right but only blanks out if it detects the driver looking at it (a camera on the dash monitors the driver’s gaze). A privacy glass would have just been better.
Among the other features, the panoramic glass roof is made up of nine segments which can be individually controlled for transparency. You can make them completely opaque, and they did a surprisingly good job of keeping the heat out. You could even have the glass roof specced with 162 stars that change colour with the ambient lighting.
Features-wise, aside from the screens and glass roof, the other highlight is the Burmester 4D sound system with exciters in the seat, so you can actually feel the bass. The head-up display and cameras are also top-class, while the AI integration doesn’t feel like a tick-mark item. You can actually converse with your car for restaurant recommendations or even abstract general knowledge.
The safety suite includes 9 airbags, ESC and a full suite of ADAS features.
Mercedes-Benz GLC EV Performance and Refinement -
Your friendly Mercedes salesperson will only be too happy to run you through the GLC 400’s big numbers: 489hp, 800Nm and a 4.3 sec 0-100kph time. The figures are made possible by front and rear permanently excited motors that draw power from a 94kWh battery pack.
How does it all come together? The first thing that gets you is the silence. The drive experience is just what you’d expect in a plush Mercedes electric car. So it’s really quiet, and you don’t hear much of the world outside. There is a bit of wind noise if you really pay attention, but honestly, with some music piping out of the Burmester sound system, it’s not something that will catch your attention in the least.
What’s also clear is that the GLC EV is the strong and silent type. The performance makes the GLC EV feel like an AMG compared to the standard GLC petrol and diesel. A two-speed gearbox ensures quick getaways when needed, as well as the long legs for a more relaxed drive. Stomp down on the accelerator from a steady cruise, and you can feel the kickdown.
You won’t need to drive like a hoon to enjoy the GLC EV. Performance, no surprises, is very brisk when you put some weight on the accelerator pedal, with easy access to power. You can make the GLC EV feel a bit more urgent when you play around with the drive modes, but honestly, you won’t really need to because of how friendly the power feels and how ready the GLC EV feels at all times.
You’ll also take very naturally to the regen braking levels. One-pedal driving is included, and there’s the option of an intelligent mode too that reads the driving environment and optimises regen force.
The GLC EV also gets sound profiles, and we have to say they’re a bit unusual. They’re not trying to mimic the sound of a V8 or a V6 or any kind of ICE engine. The sounds are more on the sci-fi spectrum, so if you accelerate hard, you’d get the feeling of being in a UFO, which is disconcerting, if we can be honest. We’d rather enjoy the quiet inside.
Mercedes-Benz GLC EV Range and Efficiency -
Now, on to the matter of range. Mercedes claims a 715-kilometre range on the WLTP cycle. Even if you account for real-world Indian conditions, you’re looking at a comfortable range of over 550 kilometres. Drive with a bit of care, and you could see that figure go past 600 kilometres. We really have come a long way in just a few years, haven’t we?
Of course, the go-to charging solution for most owners will be home charging. There’s up to 22kW AC support. The GLC can also be charged at up to 330kW using DC charging. Theoretically, at max speed, the GLC EV’s 94kWh battery can be juiced up from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes. A 10-minute charge alone can give you 300 kilometres of range.
Mercedes-Benz GLC EV Ride Comfort and Handling -
We can’t give a definitive verdict on cornering ability, as the bulk of our route was on the Autobahn outside Stuttgart, which has the gentlest of curves.
At Autobahn speeds, the GLC EV feels really planted and drives like a proper German car should. There’s pleasant weight at the steering wheel as well.
In terms of high-speed ride comfort, the GLC EV doesn’t come across as softly sprung as something like an EQS SUV, which really feels a bit roly-poly. There is still some vertical movement even when you switch to Sport mode, but it’s not to the point of being an irritant.
We’ll reserve judgement on the air suspension’s bump absorption till we drive the GLC EV on our roads, but on the sole patch of broken road on our route, the GLC EV didn’t feel entirely plush. Perhaps that’s something for Mercedes India to have on their list of things to do for the version headed our way.
A cool feature on the GLC’s suspension is its use of Google Maps to identify the vehicle’s environment and adjust ride height. For instance, the car automatically lowers on a highway. Also cutting-edge is how the suspension preps damping force in advance of a bump based on Car2X information from a Mercedes vehicle driving ahead. The systems better be up for the challenge of our roads.
Bundled in with air suspension is rear-axle steer, and the 4.5 degrees of movement does help greatly at parking speeds.
Mercedes-Benz GLC EV Should You Buy Now or Wait -
Bookings for the GLC EV open in early October, and the model will be launched in India within 2026.
It’s a big deal because the GLC EV comes to India within just six months of its European rollout. What makes the timeline even more impressive is the fact that the GLC EV won’t be an import, but will be assembled in India. Local assembly points at keen pricing.
We expect the model to be priced at about Rs 85-90 lakh (estimated, ex-showroom), which wouldn’t be all too far from the ICE GLC’s price. Factor in the registration benefits on EVs, and the price gets more tempting still.
As a product, the GLC EV does have lots going for it. It’s got the power, the refinement and the tech you’d expect on a luxury EV. Importantly, it doesn’t feel like your dad’s Mercedes, and that new-age cool is something many buyers will resonate with.
BMW’s iX3 Long Wheelbase and Audi’s Q6 e-tron are alternatives to watch out for in 2027, but in the near future, the GLC EV looks set for a clean run.
from Autocar India https://ift.tt/YJcbVz3
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