The electric GLC is finally here. It is available to order now. But you will not see one on Australian driveways until October 2026. That is when the EV joins the petrol and plug-in hybrid GLCs in local showrooms.
This is not a rebadged ICE platform. Mercedes has used a dedicated electric vehicle architecture. The styling is markedly different. The wheelbase is 84mm longer than the combustion GLC. You get more headroom. You get more legroom. It feels bigger. Inside, that translates to space.
Is the GLC 400 worth $110k?
Pricing starts at $112,200 before on-road costs for the GLC400. That is the single variant available in Australia. It has dual-motor all-wheel drive. It pushes 360kW and 800Nm.
Mercedes Australia is trying to make that sticker sting less. There is a Launch Edition priced at $110,000 plus on-roads. You do not get extra equipment for this discount. It is just cheaper.
Standard gear is substantial. A 10.3-inch digital cluster sits behind the wheel. A 14-inch infotainment screen dominates the dash. There is a head-up display. Digital Light headlights with micro-LED tech. 21-inch alloy wheels. Open-pore birch wood trim inside.
The GLC400 offers 360kW and 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds, yet focuses heavily on interior luxury over raw performance metrics.
One specific feature stands out. The panoramic fixed-glass roof. It has nine segments. They turn from clear to opaque with a button. Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal technology handles the switching. No mechanical shades. Just electric dimming.
Seats are ‘Artico’ leatherette. Heated up front. Heated steering wheel standard too. A Night Package comes default with high-gloss black accents and a dark chrome grille. You can delete it if you want. It costs nothing to remove.
Charging range and battery specs
Under the metal lies a 94.4kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery. It delivers 630km of WLTP range. That is down from the 673km claimed in Europe. The 800V electrical system helps, though.
Charging is where this car shines. AC charging hits up to 22kW. DC fast charging goes up to 330kW. Mercedes claims you can add 300km of range in just 10 minutes at an 800V station. Claimed consumption is 17.1 kWh/100km.
Space wise, the boot is 570 liters. Fold the rear seats, and you get 1740 liters. Under the bonnet? Another 128 liters. It is an e-pantry.
Luxury Package: Is the Hyperscreen worth it?
Options drive the price up fast. The Luxury Package costs $8200.
It brings heated, ventilated, and massaging sport seats. Heated rear seats too. An illuminated star pattern in the roof. A Burmester 4D surround soundsystem. And the MBUX Hyperscreen.
That last bit is the headline. It adds a passenger screen. It creates a massive 39.1-inch pillar-to-pillar array. It is visually overwhelming. MB Drive Assist is included here, adding lane-change assist and steering assist. Pre-Safe Impulse Side moves occupants to the center of the vehicle if a collision is imminent.
For ride quality, an Agility and Comfort Package costs $5200. It adds Airmatic air suspension. Rear-axle steering. Aluminium-look running boards are another $1100.
GLC 400 vs BMW iX3: Which wins?
The real battle is with the BMW iX3. The iX3 50 xDrive is priced slightly lower at $109,900 before on-roads.
BMW pushes 345kW and 645Nm. It claims 805km of WLTPrange. That is a significant margin. It also fast charges to 400kW DC. Mercedes sits at 330kW.
But BMW has a deeper cut. The single-motor iX3 40 is priced at $89,900 plus on-roads. This undercuts the GLC significantly. Crucially, it falls under the current Luxury Car Tax (LWT) threshold. It makes the car eligible for Fringe Benefits Tax (FBX) exemptions for corporate users. The GLC 400 does not qualify for that tax break.
Mercedes has not locked in lesser EVs for Australia yet. We are waiting for the rear-wheel-drive GLC250 (260kW, 647km range). And the AWD GLC300 (310kW, 613km range). If those come, the GLC 400 loses some of its exclusivity.
Other rivals in the Australian EV market
The iX3 is not the only option. The field is crowded.
- Audi Q6 e-tron : Ranges from $99,818 to $104,018 plus ORCs.
- Volvo EX60 : Priced between $86,990 and $101,990 plus ORCs.
- Lexus RZ : From $84,500 to $105,000 plus ORCs.
- Polestar 4 : Starts at $78,500 up to $100,050 plus ORCs.
- Cadillac Lyriq : From $90,000 plus ORCs.
The GLC 400 is a polished, high-tech entry. It has the Mercedes badge. It has the Hyperscreen option. It has space. But the price tag is steep. The iX3 offers more range. It offers tax advantages in the lower trims. The GLC is selling comfort. Technology. Brand prestige.
Does that justify the extra cost? For some buyers, yes. For others, it is just another premium tax. We will see how October 2026 plays out. Until then, we wait.
