The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 400e: It's Full of SurprisesAutoblogNathan AdlenFri, September 25, 2026 at 10:49 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC Electric Review: A Great EV With a Dangerous Options List… should have been the title. But it actually is full of surprises. It's also a new idea, wrapped in an older name.Mercedes-Benz has given us another name that requires a little explanation. The 2027 GLC 400 4MATIC Electric sounds like a battery-powered version of the familiar GLC. It isn't. This is an all-new electric SUV, and one of the better EVs I've driven this year. Honestly, it's a super, yet polarizing ride.ND AdlenView the 1 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementIt faces vehicles such as the Tesla Model Y Performance, BMW iX3, and Lexus RZ 550e. After driving it, I think the Mercedes makes an especially strong case for itself on comfort and refinement. Then I looked at my tester's window sticker and nearly passed out.Related: 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Will Make the AMG ONE Hypercar Look BoringPower and performanceThe GLC 400 Electric uses two motors and all-wheel drive to produce 483 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes-Benz estimates a 4.2-second run from 0 to 60 mph. That sounds quick on paper, but what impressed me more was how effortlessly it moves around town. You ask for speed and it's there, without any fuss.Despite weighing more than 5,400 pounds, the GLC doesn't feel especially heavy from behind the wheel. The steering is light but accurate, and it handles well. I wouldn't call it sporty; I'd leave that job to the BMW. The Mercedes finds a better balance for my tastes: plenty of power, a beautifully settled ride and a remarkably quiet cabin.AdvertisementAdvertisementMy test vehicle also had rear-wheel steering. On a two-way street, I came surprisingly close to making a U-turn without backing up. It makes parking this SUV much easier than its size suggests.The 800-volt charging system supports up to 330 kW at a compatible DC fast charger. Mercedes-Benz says a 10-to-80-percent charge can take 22 minutes under the right conditions. In my driving, the indicated range looked promising, but a proper range test will have to wait.View the 5 images of this gallery on the original articleDesign and interiorMy tester wore Patagonia Red paint, a $1,750 option, and 21-inch AMG multispoke wheels that added another $1,100. I think it looks substantially better than the earlier EQ models, whose styling never did much for me. This one has presence, with plenty of lighting theatrics outside and in. Mercedes knows how to make an entrance. It also knows how to charge for one.AdvertisementAdvertisementInside, the GLC feels more luxurious than the other EVs I've driven in this group. The materials, the quiet and the ride all contribute to that impression. My tester had the enormous optional Hyperscreen, which gives the cabin its own light show. There's useful space, too, including a front trunk and a roomy rear seat.Of course, this was a lavishly equipped example. Its black AMG leather with red stitching added $1,620. High-gloss silver metallic trim was $200, practically a bargain in this company. The Agility and Comfort Package added $2,900, AMG Line Plus with the Night Package added $4,550, and Pinnacle Plus added another $6,800. I half expected the window sticker to charge me for reading it.ND AdlenView the 1 images of this gallery on the original articleAudiView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThe CompetitionI know the BMW iX3 belongs in this conversation, but I haven't driven it yet. I have, however, recently driven the Lexus RZ 550e F SPORT AWD and the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron. The Audi is a sedan, not an SUV, but I think anyone shopping for a luxury EV in this price range should take a look. I've also driven several Tesla Model Ys.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Lexus surprised me. It's a little rocket, with a manufacturer-estimated 0-to-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds, and its price makes it a genuine bargain here. Unfortunately, its EPA-estimated range is just 229 miles. That's a hard number to ignore if you travel beyond your usual commute.The Audi A6 Sportback e-tron is an excellent all-around EV, with strong range and a lot to like behind the wheel. I just don't find its interior or overall design as luxurious as the Mercedes'. The GLC does a better job of making an ordinary commute feel like an occasion.Related: 2026 Mercedes-AMG E53 Wagon Review: Everything BagelThe rivals have merit. The Lexus is my bargain pick, and the Audi makes a compelling case for itself as an everyday electric car. The Tesla Model Y has the excellent FSD option and is the only one of the three with a third-row option as well.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat said, the Mercedes has the quieter, more refined personality I want in a luxury vehicle. It also has more swagger than it probably needs, and, judging by my tester's window sticker, it knows it. Man, I wish they did something about the out-of-control option pricing.View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleFinal ThoughtsThe GLC 400 4MATIC Electric starts at $63,500. For the performance, comfort and technology on offer, that caught my attention in a good way. My test vehicle came to $89,270. That caught my attention in a very different way.This is where the GLC becomes difficult to recommend without a conversation about the options sheet. I loved the way my loaded tester drove, but nearly $26,000 separates it from the starting price. German luxury brands have long been good at turning a tempting base price into a sobering final number, and Mercedes is keeping the tradition alive.AdvertisementAdvertisementStill, the vehicle underneath those options is excellent. It's quick, quiet, comfortable, and surprisingly easy to maneuver. I'd happily drive it again. I'd just spend considerably more time with the configurator before ordering one. The GLC Electric deserves your attention; its window sticker deserves your supervision.Related: 2027 Infiniti QX65 vs. 2026 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium Plus: Sporty and Luxurious Bang for Your BuckThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Cars section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.