Two big premium players have just unveiled their latest all-electric SUVs at the Munich motor show. The new BMW iX3 is the very first production model of BMW’s long-awaited Neue Klasse programme, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ sets the tone for a bold new electric era in Stuttgart.
For buyers, these two cars are aimed squarely at the heart of the market. They’re designed to tempt drivers out of diesel and petrol rivals, but also to stop them straying towards Tesla, Audi or Polestar. On paper, each promises a big leap forward compared with their predecessors.
But which one looks more convincing before we’ve driven them? Let’s break down the details and see how they stack up.
What are they?
The new Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ is a clean-sheet design and the first fully electric version of one of the brand’s most popular SUVs. It makes a statement with a bold illuminated grille, a longer wheelbase and an advanced 800-volt battery system. Bigger inside and out than the petrol and diesel GLC it replaces, it’s designed to combine everyday usability with the sort of luxury and presence buyers expect from Mercedes.
Step inside and the tech focus is clear. A huge 39.1-inch Hyperscreen dominates the cabin, running the latest MB.OS operating system and supported by AI assistants from Google and Microsoft. Rear-wheel steering, S-Class-derived air suspension and a clever new braking system also promise to make the GLC EQ as sophisticated to drive as it looks, while boot space of 570 litres plus a 128-litre frunk keep it practical.
The BMW iX3 is just as significant. It’s the first production car from BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, setting the design and technology template for everything from the next 3-Series to future SUVs. The styling is cleaner and simpler than recent BMWs, with pared-back surfacing and a modern take on the kidney grille. Positioned in the heart of the mid-sized SUV market, it’s a car that BMW needs to get absolutely right.
Inside, the iX3 introduces BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive system, which pairs a central touchscreen with a wide display stretching across the base of the windscreen. Running on the all-new Operating System X, it promises to be simpler and faster than the menus of previous BMWs. Physical buttons remain for key functions, while recycled materials and synthetic upholstery underline BMW’s push towards sustainability without compromising on quality.
How they compare inside
The Mercedes GLC EQ wastes no time showing off its new cabin. The centrepiece is a 39.1-inch Hyperscreen that runs the latest MB.OS infotainment system, capable of hosting more than 40 apps and tailoring itself through AI assistants from Google and Microsoft. It’s joined by the latest version of MBUX voice control and a suite of new autonomous systems. The overall effect is high-tech and high-theatre, with a panoramic roof that can even be lit by 162 glowing Mercedes stars if you tick the right option box.
Practicality hasn’t been forgotten. The longer wheelbase frees up extra leg and headroom for all passengers, while the rear bench reclines and folds to extend the boot from 570 litres to a huge 1,740 litres. Quality looks suitably upmarket, and Mercedes has wisely rolled back on over-complicated haptic steering wheel buttons in favour of physical controls that are easier to use on the move. It’s a clever blend of flash and function.
The BMW iX3 takes a different approach. Instead of one massive screen, it introduces the new Panoramic iDrive setup: a conventional central display paired with a wide, full-length strip below the windscreen. That strip acts as a second screen, projecting widgets and driver information directly across the dash. It’s clean, futuristic and, BMW hopes, easier to use at a glance than the layered menus of its older systems.
BMW’s Operating System X powers it all, promising faster responses and simpler menus than iDrive 8.5 or 9. AI voice control is included, but the iX3 sticks to physical buttons for climate and key drive settings, which should reassure traditionalists. Sustainability is a big theme inside too, with recycled aluminium and synthetic ‘Econeer’ fabrics used alongside higher-grade trims in pricier versions. The result is a cabin that feels forward-thinking without going full concept-car.
How they compare for range and efficiency
The Mercedes GLC EQ launches with a 94kWh battery and dual-motor setup producing 483hp. Official WLTP range is up to 443 miles, which puts it among the longest-legged EVs on sale. Key to that is its 800-volt electrical system, which reduces losses and allows ultra-fast charging. With the right plug, Mercedes claims you can add 188 miles of range in just 10 minutes – perfect for long-distance drivers.
Efficiency in tougher conditions has also been carefully considered. A standard-fit multi-source heat pump helps the GLC EQ hold onto its range in cold weather, while its advanced braking system aims to recover up to 300kW through regeneration. Buyers can tailor how strong the regen feels, from full one-pedal driving to a near freewheel mode, which makes it more adaptable than many rivals.
BMW counters with even bigger numbers. The iX3 xDrive50 uses a 108kWh usable battery, paired with sixth-generation electric motors that are said to reduce energy losses by 40% compared with the outgoing iX3. The result is a claimed 500-mile range – comfortably more than the Mercedes. It also supports up to 400kW charging, making it one of the fastest-charging EVs we’ve seen so far.
Practicality hasn’t been overlooked either. The cylindrical cell layout makes the battery denser and easier to cool, while compatibility with older 400-volt chargers ensures you’re not locked out of slower networks. BMW has also future-proofed the iX3 with vehicle-to-load, home and grid capabilities – so, with the right wallbox, it can power appliances or feed energy back into your home.
Performance
On paper, the BMW has the edge. The iX3 xDrive50 delivers 464hp and 644Nm from its twin motors, good for 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. A near 50:50 weight distribution and BMW’s new ‘Heart of Joy’ dynamics computer are designed to keep it feeling agile, even with the weight of that big battery. Early prototype drives suggest it’s light on its feet for an SUV of this size.
The Mercedes GLC EQ isn’t far behind. The launch 400 4Matic produces 483hp, and although final performance numbers are yet to be confirmed, expect a similar sub-5-second 0-62mph time. Mercedes has focused more on refinement than outright pace, with the addition of air suspension from the S-Class and a new braking system that should make regen transitions smoother than in most rivals.
Both promise to deliver strong performance, but in different ways. The BMW looks like it’ll appeal to keen drivers who want sharper handling and quicker responses, while the Mercedes majors on luxury, comfort and effortless straight-line shove. Either way, they’re both a long way ahead of their combustion-powered predecessors in terms of pace and composure.
What else should we know?
Mercedes-Benz is treating the GLC EQ as a technology flagship, and the equipment list shows it. Alongside the 800-volt electrical system, you’ll find rear-axle steering, air suspension from the S-Class, and the latest MB.Drive assistance package, which uses ten cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors. The interior is loaded with luxuries too, from the 39.1-inch Hyperscreen to the illuminated starry-sky roof.
UK pricing hasn’t yet been confirmed, but expect the GLC EQ to sit firmly in the premium bracket when it arrives in 2026. The first version to land will be the 400 4Matic, with four more variants expected later, likely spanning performance-focused AMG editions and longer-range models. For now, Mercedes is concentrating on making sure its new EV SUV lands with maximum impact.
BMW has been more open with its numbers. The iX3 xDrive50 launch model starts at £58,755 in the UK, with M Sport and M Sport Pro trims priced slightly higher. Even in standard form you get 20-inch wheels, electric seats, Driving Assistant Plus, parking sensors and a powered tailgate. A lower-powered, two-wheel-drive version is due later, which should come in under £55,000.
Production kicks off in November 2025, with first UK deliveries due in early 2026. BMW is positioning the iX3 as a more accessible option than the Mercedes, with a keen starting price and plenty of kit included. Buyers will be able to choose between sustainability-focused trims with Econeer fabric or higher-end models with more traditional luxury finishes.
Conclusion
On paper, both the BMW iX3 and Mercedes GLC EQ look like huge leaps forward. The Mercedes dazzles with its bold design, high-tech interior and ultra-fast charging, while the BMW takes a cleaner, simpler approach with a focus on range, dynamics and a sharper entry price. They may share the same premium mid-sized SUV brief, but they go about it in very different ways.
Compared with their predecessors, the progress is striking. The old GLC never offered this level of tech or refinement, and the outgoing iX3 was hampered by being built on a combustion-car platform. These new versions are proper ground-up EVs, and it shows in their packaging, efficiency and performance.
We haven’t driven them in production form yet, so the final judgement will have to wait. But right now, the iX3 looks like the keen driver’s choice, while the GLC EQ majors on comfort, luxury and sheer presence. Either way, they’re both deeply impressive family EVs, and buyers should be excited – because this is the strongest mid-sized premium SUV line-up we’ve seen yet.
Keith Adams – Editor, Parkers
For all the latest advice, news and finance deals, sign up to the Parkers newsletter here.
Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.
