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 looking it, the GLC with EQ Expertise) debuts precisely two days after BMW’s electrified X3 — speak about timing. Each battle for a similar slice of the premium EV market. However put these two contenders aspect by aspect, and the variations in philosophy change into simply as clear because the similarities.
Exterior Design
In the event you suppose the GLC EV and iX3 have an identical vibe, you’re not imagining issues. Each corporations hail their automobiles with the very same phrasing: “daybreak of a brand new period.” I’m unsure 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 centered on electrification. Whereas the iX3 genuinely appears to be like like nothing else from the model, the GLC feels extra evolutionary moderately 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 largely all the way down to the completely large three-pointed star. Within the again, fully 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 whenever you evaluate the 2 aspect by aspect, 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 a little bit little bit of the egg form from the EQS fashions. However general, we expect the GLC appears to be like simply effective; though the iX3 is certainly the extra trendy design. That’s both a professional or a con, relying on who you’re.
Inside Design
Mercedes-Benz is making an enormous deal in regards to the electrical GLC’s Hyperscreen. We’ll get to {that a} bit later, however it’s unattainable to speak in regards to the inside with out mentioning the display, since it’s, effectively, all the 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 — appears to be like extra conventional than the iX3’s. It additionally appears to be like actually good, bridging the hole between thickness and manageability and holding with a reasonably acquainted design. Mercedes presents an non-compulsory Vegan Package deal for the inside, too. The model additionally confirmed MB-Tex and leather-based choices. The BMW presents a hair extra cargo area. With all of the seats stowed, it supplies 61.8 cubic toes of cargo area whereas the GLC EV provides you with 61.4 cu-ft.
Efficiency
Sorry Merc followers. The GLC 400, which is what Mercedes printed data for, is estimated to get 713 kilometers of vary primarily based on European WLTP requirements. The iX3 bests it with an 805-kilometer score. The iX3 has an even 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 provide a bit extra horsepower, coming in with 483 horsepower/360 kW in comparison with the iX3’s 463 horsepower/345 kW.
Expertise
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 alternative route, sticking to at least one smaller display (it’s nonetheless fairly large, measuring 17.9 inches) and creating a Panoramic Imaginative and prescient show that lives on the base of the windshield. BMW’s concentrate on “shy tech” actually exhibits right here, and the electrical GLC is decidedly much more in your face about its devices. Beneath all of it, relaxation assured that each provide just about the identical facilities. Voice instructions, navigation, CarPlay/Android Auto, and AI-powered looking can be found on every. Notably, the Hyperscreen is just not commonplace gear, in contrast to 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 “underneath $60,000,” based on the automaker’s iX3 information web page. We might see some customers selecting the GLC EV for its appears to be like and extra acquainted display format. However overcoming a not insubstantial hole in vary and charging would possibly show difficult. General, evaluating the iX3 to the GLC with EQ Expertise proves these two are an in depth rivals as ever.
