REVIEW
Mercedes-Benz GLC 400
489 hp electric SUV with 659 km WLTP range and 330 kW charging
2026 · awd · 489 hp · 800 Nm
REVIEW
Mercedes-Benz GLC 400
489 hp electric SUV with 659 km WLTP range and 330 kW charging
2026 · awd · 489 hp · 800 Nm
IN THIS REVIEW EXTERIOR INTERIOR DRIVING PERFORMANCE PRACTICALITY PRICE FINAL VERDICT VIDEO GALLERY
The new electric Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC combines 489 hp, long-distance comfort and genuinely fast 800V charging in a package that still feels unmistakably like a GLC. It is exceptionally quiet, surprisingly quick and far more practical than the old EQC ever was, while the optional seamless Hyperscreen gives the cabin a proper next-generation feel. After 600 km behind the wheel, its biggest strength is how effortlessly it does almost everything.
PROS
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable
- 489 hp and 800 Nm deliver effortless performance
- Fast 330 kW DC charging
- Our test car actually peaked at 352 kW
- Excellent optional seamless MBUX Hyperscreen
- Huge 128-litre frunk
- Strong 2,400 kg braked towing capacity
CONS
- Ventilation system produces a noticeable refrigerator-like noise
- Active Parking Assist is painfully slow
- Higher brake pedal takes some getting used to
- Some useful functions are moving towards paid Digital Extras
- No seat ventilation on our test car
489 hp
POWER
800 Nm
TORQUE
4.3 sec
0-100 KM/H
210 km/h
TOP SPEED
EXTERIOR
The electric GLC introduces a much more distinctive face than the combustion-powered model. The illuminated grille contains almost 1,000 individually lit elements, while the central Mercedes star, DIGITAL LIGHT headlights and star-shaped rear lights give it a very recognisable look, especially at night.
Our AMG Line test car was finished in Sapphire Blue metallic on 20-inch wheels, with chrome and brushed-aluminium-look details. Flush door handles and the large panoramic glass roof keep the profile relatively clean, although Mercedes has not been shy with the decorative elements.
INTERIOR
The optional seamless MBUX Hyperscreen is the obvious centrepiece. It stretches almost across the full dashboard without visible seams between the driver, centre and passenger displays, and in use it is sharp, high in contrast and surprisingly easy to read.
Our car combined Ivory Beige ARTICO with contrasting stitching, glossy trim and brushed-metal-look details. The synthetic leather is very convincing, although there are still some harder plastics lower down in the cabin.
The SKY CONTROL panoramic roof can switch different sections between transparent and opaque, while our test car also had heated front seats and a Burmester sound system. Seat ventilation and massage were not fitted.
DRIVING
The GLC 400 is not a sports SUV, but it is much quicker than its relaxed character initially suggests. The steering is direct and predictable, grip from the 4MATIC system is excellent and the suspension filters broken Belgian roads remarkably well.
Our test car did not have the optional AIRMATIC air suspension, which makes that ride quality even more impressive. At motorway speeds the GLC stays so quiet and composed that I repeatedly found myself travelling faster than expected without really noticing it.
The only thing that regularly disturbs the silence is a low mechanical noise from the ventilation system, sounding almost like a refrigerator or dehumidifier switching on. In such a quiet cabin, it becomes surprisingly noticeable.
PERFORMANCE
Two electric motors produce 360 kW or 489 hp and 800 Nm, sending the GLC 400 4MATIC from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and on to a limited 210 km/h.
The rear drive unit uses a two-speed gearbox. Most of the time you never notice it, but under hard acceleration you can occasionally feel it shift at around motorway speeds.
Mercedes currently lists a 94 kWh usable battery and up to 659 km of WLTP range for the Belgian specification. Over roughly 600 km of testing, with plenty of motorway driving and repeated trips to Circuit Zolder, I averaged 18.6 kWh/100 km. That works out at around 510 km of realistic range under those conditions.
The 800V system officially supports up to 330 kW DC charging. With the battery properly preconditioned, our test car actually peaked at 352 kW, but more impressive was how steadily it maintained a high charging rate instead of quickly dropping away. An 8 to 80 percent charge took roughly 22 minutes, making the overall charging performance more useful than the peak figure alone suggests.
PRACTICALITY
The GLC offers 570 litres of boot space and 1,740 litres with the rear seats folded. Up front, the 128-litre frunk is large enough to be genuinely useful rather than simply a place to store charging cables.
Rear passengers get generous legroom and headroom, an almost flat floor and ISOFIX mounts on the outer seats.
The GLC 400 can tow up to 2,400 kg braked, and our car was fitted with the fully electrically retractable tow bar. That gives it proper SUV practicality rather than just SUV styling.
PRICE
The Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC electric starts at €72,479 including VAT in Belgium. Our AMG Line test car adds equipment including the seamless MBUX Hyperscreen, SKY CONTROL panoramic roof, Burmester audio and other options, so the final price climbs quickly from there.
For current specifications, options and availability, visit the official Mercedes-Benz GLC page.
JOHNNY DRIVES VERDICT
After 600 km with the GLC 400, what stayed with me most was how little effort the car seems to require from its driver.
It is fast, but never feels nervous. It is heavy, but never cumbersome. And because it stays so quiet and comfortable at speed, the biggest danger is almost how easy it makes everything feel.
I was equally impressed by the charging. 352 kW is not the highest peak I have measured, but the very steady charging curve matters much more on a long journey and helped make the GLC feel like a genuinely convincing long-distance EV.
There are details I would change, but the basic character feels exactly right for a GLC. It is not trying to turn an electric family SUV into a sports car. It simply makes long distances, everyday driving and serious performance feel remarkably easy.
€ 72.479
Base price (Belgium)
awd
DRIVETRAIN
5
SEATS
2-speed automatic
TRANSMISSION
© 2026 Johnnydrives.com
© 2026 Johnnydrives.com
