Mercedes-Benz is electrifying its most popular model with a new electric SUV called GLC with EQ Technology set to expand the line-up starting in the first half of 2026. The electric midsize SUV shown at IAA Mobility 2025 gets “an elevated” design language and intelligence powered by the AI (artificial intelligence)-driven MB.OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System) superbrain.

“The biggest product-launch program in our company’s history continues with the all-new GLC,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “We’re not just introducing a new model—we’re electrifying our top seller. It will feature a bold new design language, cutting-edge technology, our MB.OS operating system, and performance that sparks excitement.”

“Built electric-first,” it is the first model in a new vehicle family and the first core model based on the MB.EA platform that is meant to excel in performance, range, efficiency, and charging speed while setting new standards in its class for design, value, versatility, and space. Sophisticated detail work means that optional extras only have a minor effect on the aerodynamic Cd of 0.26.

Having a wheelbase 84 mm (3.3 in) longer than the combustion GLC’s, the electric version’s passengers get more room. The extended space, especially in the rear, and the standard panoramic roof make for a more open interior.

Highlights are 13 mm (0.5 in) more legroom and 46 mm (1.8 in) more headroom up front, and 47 mm (1.9 in) more legroom and 17 mm (0.7 in) more headroom in the rear. For cargo, the trunk provides 570 L (20.1 ft³) and 1740 L (61.4 ft³) when the rear seats are folded down. The frunk contributes an extra 128 L (4.5 ft³).

 

Elevation of Sensual Purity

The most eye-catching exterior design element is a new twist on the Mercedes-Benz grille debuting on the GLC. A reinterpretation of the brand’s most iconic design element meant to redefine the face of the Mercedes‑Benz brand, it has evolved from a functional feature of the combustion-vehicle era into a high-tech lighting display meant to convey prestige and status with technology.

“The all-new electric GLC is more than just a car; it paves the way for a new era of iconic design,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Mercedes-Benz AG. “With the new grille, we’ve redefined the brand’s face by reimagining and preserving one of the most iconic design elements in automotive history. As an elevation of Sensual Purity, the electric GLC is the perfect blend of tradition and the future and ensures that Mercedes-Benz remains instantly recognizable.”

The grille features a wide chromed frame and a smoked-glass-look mesh structure. An illuminated version is available as an option, featuring a total of 942 polycarbonate backlit pixel graphics that can be animated “to bring the GLC to life.” The central star and grille surround can also be partially or fully illuminated, depending on country-specific regulations.

The headlights, in either standard full-LED or optional Digital Light format, feature the Mercedes-Benz star logo and “visor” look daytime running and marker lights.

The GLC’s Digital Light uses next-generation micro-LED technology for a significantly bigger high-resolution light field, enabling greater brightness for high beam and road projections, and its lighting module’s energy consumption is around 50% less than its predecessor. The high beam no longer only shines forward; it is incorporated into the cornering light and swivels dynamically with it. The cornering light reacts more precisely to the road course thanks to combining camera information and map data.

The rear two-part lights also get the Mercedes-Benz star logo motif. In conjunction with the optional illuminated grille, these lights animate when the vehicle is unlocked or charging.

 

MBUX Hyperscreen and 162-star roof

The Mercedes-Benz Sensual Purity interior design gets an upgraded immersive spatial experience. An integrated “trim sculpture” links the instrument panel and center console with the new, optional, floating, and seamless MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) Hyperscreen display that stretches across the width of the interior.

At 99.3 cm (39.1 in), it is the largest screen in a Mercedes-Benz to-date. Amplifying the floating effect of the screen is ambient lighting by light strips on lower edge of trim piece and the uppermost level of the instrument panel that unites it with the doors.

The optional one-piece Sky Control panoramic roof is made from insulating, laminated safety glass. The large glass surface can optionally switch between transparent and opaque in nine zones, with users individually choosing how much light comes in. At night, an ambient lighting option can create a stunning effect from 162 Mercedes-Benz stars integrated into the glass surface.

For the screen, UI designers crafted high-resolution welcome animations and background images that offer a range of experiences—from calm to intense, cool to warm, and technical to emotional. They enable variations in instrument-cluster coloring and ambient lighting. Adjustments in climate control temperature are indicated by brief color changes of the ambient lighting and the air vents.

Depending on the specification, the center console houses up to two charging trays for inductive and rapid smartphone charging. Below them is the new control strip with hard keys for key functions. Responding to customer requests, the cupholders are now spatially separated from the charging trays.

Other interesting interior design details are speaker grilles with horizontal line graphics with 3D reliefs and two-tone finishes. In the Burmester 3D sound system, the grilles are made of stainless steel.

All available seats are certified with the AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken or German Organization for Healthy Backs). The new steering wheel is designed to be even more ergonomic and intuitive to operate.

A key materials highlight is a world-first vegan interior certification by The Vegan Society for soft-touch surface materials in the optional Vegan Package, from the seat upholstery to headliner, pillar and door panels, and carpeting. The surfaces are made from the high-quality Artico man-made leather and textiles containing no animal-derived products.

The broad selection of other high-quality interior materials includes the basic equipment leather grain Softtorino. In the AMG Line sport seat package, the door beltlines and the area beneath the windscreen are finished in a Nappa-leather look and feature fine decorative stitching.

Available surface finishes for trim elements are anthracite-colored trim element in an anodized finish, shiny metallic blended fabric in silver or silver/black, natural fibers with white honeycomb open-pore décor, Birch fine-line decor in brown or a light grey-brown, Mercedes-Benz “ship deck” in black with aluminum inlays, and AMG carbon fiber.

 

Electronics, software, and personalization

The MB.OS AI-driven superbrain integrates and controls systems for aspects of the vehicle from infotainment and automated driving to body comfort and charging. Its advanced artificial intelligence enables the vehicle to learn driver preferences, adapt to changing conditions, and make decisions in real time for a safer, more intuitive experience.

“Our own operating system MB.OS unlocks a new dimension with the MBUX Virtual Assistant and MB.DRIVE assistance and safety systems,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer. “All easy and intuitive to use via the brilliant all-new seamless MBUX Hyperscreen, the largest yet in a Mercedes‑Benz.”

Connection to the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud enables over-the-air updates of all vehicle software, keeping the GLC up-to-date and attractive for years. The chip-to-cloud architecture is deeply integrated, ensuring data protection and connectivity, and it leverages Nvidia AI, DRIVE AV software, and accelerated compute, including powerful chips capable of 254 TOPS (trillion operations per second).

The GLC greets its users with extensive light animations and is accompanied by the sound of the chosen experience. Inside, the welcome continues with ambient lighting and animations on the MBUX Hyperscreen. When the GLC is parked, a corresponding “Goodbye” performance takes place.

The MBUX Hyperscreen has up to 11 styles of background motifs for which the use of color in the instrument cluster (including the dials and gauges), control elements, and ambient lighting can be coordinated. The styles offer a range of experiences from calm to intense, cool to warm, and technical to emotional.

The Mercedes-Benz experience offerings also include an extensive wellness program for the GLC with an Energizing Comfort program and individual recommendations from an Energizing Coach. New comfort programs are available as a separate app, Energizing sounds can be deactivated to enjoy the programs with personal music or podcasts, and MBUX Hyperscreen animations and sounds provide added value.

The new GLC uses the fourth MBUX generation, which Mercedes-Benz says is the world’s first in-car infotainment system to integrate AI from both Microsoft and Google. The “multi-agent approach” is said to expand the personalized experiences and intuitive interactions by selecting the best source for each task. For the customer, talking to the MBUX Virtual Assistant can provide detailed responses and answer follow-up questions without the need to repeat context.

 

Power and charging

Mercedes‑Benz says that the GLC range will offer a diverse portfolio of drive systems. The top-of-the-range model at market launch is the 400 4Matic with 360 kW with up to 713 km (443 mi) of WLTP range. Four more models will follow.

The GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology can tow up to 2.4 t (2.6 ton) braked, so it can pull large caravans, boats, and horse trailers. The drawbar load of 100 kg (220 lb) allows for the transport of electric bicycles on a suitable carrier. With ESP trailer stabilization and trailer maneuvering assist, the GLC offers particularly convenient and safe handling for hauling.

The GLC 400 4MATIC features a Terrain Mode driving program for field or gravel roads, adjusting the characteristics of the drive, steering, and brakes. A transparent hood function enables a virtual view under the front of the vehicle by combining images from the front camera and the exterior mirror cameras.

A new One-Box braking system enables maximum recuperation and minimum friction brake use. In everyday driving, the GLC regenerates electricity during braking in over 99% of cases. The recuperation performance, at up to 300 kW, is said to significantly increase range. Drivers can select from four recuperation levels: maximum, standard, no recuperation, and intelligent.

The standard multi-source heat pump uses waste heat from the electric drive unit, battery pack, and ambient air to efficiently heat the interior. Appropriate battery conditioning enables very high charging performance.

A new 800-V electric architecture in conjunction with the new battery generation significantly reduces charging time. This pairs with MB.Charge, which the company says is one of the world’s biggest charging networks, to offer a fast and convenient experience.

A navigation system with “Electric Intelligence” plans the fastest and most comfortable route, including charging stops at compatible charging stations and considering factors such as topography, route layout, and weather information.

The GLC’s lithium-ion battery system is based on a highly integrated modular architecture and has a usable energy content of 94 kW·h. A DC converter installed on a country-specific basis enables charging at 400-V fast charging stations. According to current forecasts, the new GLC can recharge at up to 303 km (188 mi) in 10 min.

When connected to a compatible bidirectional DC charging station, it can serve as a power supplier for the home or the power grid.

 

ADAS and Airmatic

Every GLC is equipped with an ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) sensor set using up to ten external cameras, five radars, and twelve ultrasonics connected to a control unit that runs with MB.OS.

Depending on the package, MB.DRIVE assists the driver with cooperative steering, braking, and accelerating. All active safety systems are standard equipment and can be updated after purchase.

MB.DRIVE uses artificial intelligence to process vast amounts of raw data from the sensors to understand the traffic situation. With MBUX Surround Navigation, the driver always knows what the car has detected from the surroundings, increasing trust in the system.

To improve comfort and agility, and to set the GLC apart from other vehicles in its class, it gets air suspension technology from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with an adjustable damping system. The Agility & Comfort Package includes Airmatic air suspension combined with rear-axle steering of up to 4.5 degrees in either direction.