A compact electric SUV that believes in bling

Mercedes has rebuilt its best-seller compact SUV for the electric era. Its GLC EV is fast and flashy with long range, roomy seats and an Al assistant

- Renuka Kirpalani

The Mercedes GLC certainly believes "bling is in". Its massive chrome grille, featuring 942 backlit dots that can be animated, is impossible to ignore.

At the recent Munich Motor Show, it was the talking point of the Mercedes-Benz stall, drawing crowds eager for a glimpse of the latest compact EV from the German luxury brand.

Mercedes has taken its bestselling compact SUV and rebuilt it for the battery era. The new GLC EV is built on the company's modern EQ architecture and is aimed squarely at buyers who want traditional Mercedes refinement combined with long electric range, fast charging, and cutting-edge in-car tech.

The result is an impressive, polished compact luxury SUV that finally feels like Mercedes understands what buyers want from a mainstream electric model.