Mercedes-Benz GLC EV priced for Australia: How does this brand new 360kW electric SUV compare to BMW iX3, Volvo EX60, Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron?
The new battery-electric Mercedes-Benz GLC has been priced from $112,200 before on-road costs in Australia, pitching the 360kW luxury SUV directly against the BMW iX3, Volvo EX60 and Audi Q6 e-tron.
Available to order now, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC is the first battery-electric version of the German brand’s popular mid-size SUV and is based on a dedicated EV architecture rather than sharing its underpinnings with the combustion-engined GLC.
The sole GLC EV variant announced for Australia so far uses dual electric motors and all-wheel drive, producing 360kW and 800Nm and accelerating from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.3 seconds.
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A 94.4kWh usable nickel-manganese-cobalt battery provides a claimed WLTP driving range of up to 630km, while official energy consumption is 17.1kWh/100km.
The GLC also uses a two-speed transmission on the rear axle, while a disconnect system can decouple the front motor when it isn’t required to reduce drivetrain losses.
An 800-volt electrical architecture supports DC fast charging at up to 330kW, with Mercedes-Benz claiming up to 300km of driving range can be added in 10 minutes under ideal conditions.
AC charging is unusually strong at up to 22kW, while a standard DC/DC converter allows the GLC to charge at 400V DC stations.
At $112,200 before on-road costs, the GLC 400 4MATIC lands in the thick of an increasingly competitive premium electric SUV market.
Its closest direct rival on price is the BMW iX3 50 xDrive at $109,900, just $2300 less than the Mercedes, while the Volvo EX60 Ultra P10 AWD is cheaper again at $101,990.
Audi’s Q6 e-tron range starts at $99,900, while the Q6 Performance costs $115,500 and the all-wheel-drive Q6 quattro $122,500.
Porsche positions its Macan Electric further upmarket. The rear-wheel-drive Macan starts at $129,800, $17,600 more than the GLC, while the Macan 4 AWD costs $137,600.
There are also considerably cheaper rear-wheel-drive entry points into the BMW and Volvo ranges, with the iX3 40 priced at $89,900 and Volvo EX60 Ultra P6 at $86,990.
The Mercedes counters with a lengthy standard equipment list that includes the MBUX Superscreen, DIGITAL LIGHT headlights, a head-up display, panoramic roof with SKY CONTROL, Burmester 3D surround sound system and 21-inch AMG alloy wheels.
The new Mercedes-Benz Operating System, or MB.OS, underpins the vehicle’s digital functions and supports over-the-air updates.
An optional 39.1-inch seamless MBUX Hyperscreen – described by Mercedes-Benz as the largest screen yet fitted to one of its production vehicles – is available as part of an $8200 Luxury Package.
The package also includes ventilated and massaging front sports seats, heated rear seats, an illuminated star pattern for the panoramic roof, DIGITAL LIGHT projection functions, a Burmester high-end 4D surround sound system and additional driver-assistance technology.
A separate $5200 Agility and Comfort Package adds AIRMATIC air suspension and rear-axle steering, while aluminium-look running boards cost $1100.
The electric GLC has an 84mm-longer wheelbase than the combustion-powered GLC, contributing to increased passenger space.
Luggage capacity is 570 litres with the rear seats upright and 1740 litres with them folded, supplemented by a substantial 128-litre storage compartment beneath the bonnet.
Mercedes-Benz will also offer a limited number of GLC 400 4MATIC Launch Edition vehicles for $110,000 before on-road costs.
The cheaper version does without the regular GLC 400’s MBUX Superscreen. In its place is a static passenger-side screen that can display wallpapers, ambient graphics and animations, while black ARTICO upholstery is standard.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC is available to order now, priced from $112,200 before on-road costs and dealer delivery.
