When two of Germany’s greatest luxurious manufacturers launch all-electric variations of their best-selling SUVs, the comparisons virtually write themselves. The Mercedes-Benz GLC EV (or, as Merc is asking it, the GLC with EQ Know-how) debuts precisely two days after BMW’s electrified X3 — speak about timing. Each struggle for a similar slice of the premium EV market. However put these two contenders facet by facet, and the variations in philosophy develop into simply as clear because the similarities.
Exterior Design
If you happen to suppose the GLC EV and iX3 have an analogous vibe, you’re not imagining issues. Each corporations hail their autos with the very same phrasing: “daybreak of a brand new period.” I’m undecided if that’s ironic or just the quickest a prophecy has ever fulfilled. Regardless, each did job of updating their volume-selling SUV for a future targeted on electrification. Whereas the iX3 genuinely seems like nothing else from the model, the GLC feels extra evolutionary relatively than revolutionary. The grille isn’t a right away winner for my part, however general the automobile’s entrance finish may be very recognizable as Mercedes. Even whether it is principally all the way down to the completely huge three-pointed star. Within the again, utterly new lighting signature that just about pay homage to the Idea AMG GT XX look fairly dang good. We additionally dig the horizontal orientation and suppose it makes the electrical GLC look only a tad bit sportier from the again.
The sportiness falls a bit flat while you examine the 2 facet by facet, although. The GLC EV is round two inches (51 mm) longer than the BMW iX3. Its much less angular roofline (and the BMW iX3’s Hofmeister kink) means it nonetheless has somewhat little bit of the egg form from the EQS fashions. However general, we predict the GLC seems simply effective; though the iX3 is definitely the extra trendy design. That’s both a professional or a con, relying on who you might be.
Inside Design
Mercedes-Benz is making a giant deal concerning the electrical GLC’s Hyperscreen. We’ll get to {that a} bit later, however it’s not possible to speak concerning the inside with out mentioning the display screen, since it’s, nicely, your complete dashboard. Not look in our opinion, however it’s admittedly a a lot smoother look than the present era’s integration. The steering wheel — new for the mannequin, together with the seats — seems extra conventional than the iX3’s. It additionally seems actually good, bridging the hole between thickness and manageability and preserving with a reasonably acquainted design. Mercedes provides an elective Vegan Package deal for the inside, too. The model additionally confirmed MB-Tex and leather-based choices. The BMW provides a hair extra cargo house. With all of the seats stowed, it supplies 61.8 cubic toes of cargo house whereas the GLC EV provides you with 61.4 cu-ft.
Efficiency
Sorry Merc followers. The GLC 400, which is what Mercedes printed info for, is estimated to get 713 kilometers of vary based mostly on European WLTP requirements. The iX3 bests it with an 805-kilometer ranking. The iX3 has a much bigger battery, 108.7 kWh usable in comparison with Merc’s 94 kWh. BMW says the iX3 can add 372 kilometers of vary in ten minutes; MB’s GLC provides 303 kilometers in the identical. Fortunately, the Mercedes does supply a bit extra horsepower, coming in with 483 horsepower/360 kW in comparison with the iX3’s 463 horsepower/345 kW.
Know-how
Alright, let’s get again to that Hyperscreen. It measures 39.1 inches, simply shy of 100 cm. In the meantime, BMW has gone the other route, sticking to at least one smaller display screen (it’s nonetheless fairly huge, measuring 17.9 inches) and growing a Panoramic Imaginative and prescient show that lives on the base of the windshield. BMW’s deal with “shy tech” actually reveals right here, and the electrical GLC is decidedly much more in your face about its devices. Beneath all of it, relaxation assured that each supply just about the identical facilities. Voice instructions, navigation, CarPlay/Android Auto, and AI-powered looking out can be found on every. Notably, the Hyperscreen is just not normal tools, not like the Panoramic Imaginative and prescient show.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t printed pricing for the GLC EV. However we’re pondering it needs to be very near iX3 50 xDrive pricing, which begins “beneath $60,000,” in response to the automaker’s iX3 information web page. We may see some buyers selecting the GLC EV for its seems and extra acquainted display screen format. However overcoming a not insubstantial hole in vary and charging may show difficult. Total, evaluating the iX3 to the GLC with EQ Know-how proves these two are an in depth rivals as ever.
