Spy photographers have caught the Mercedes GLC EV undergoing testing ahead of its launch in 2026. While the prototype is still heavily camouflaged, some of the disguise is starting to come off.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much to see up front as the prototype has a fully enclosed grille that is flanked by temporary headlights. They’re joined by a wide lower intake and a streamlined hood, which is hidden beneath bulky padding.

More: 2027 Mercedes GLC EV Spied With A New Front End

The sides show a lot more detail as we can see pronounced wheel arches with plastic body cladding. They’re joined by flush-mounted door handles and a greenhouse that mimics the EQE and EQS SUVs. However, the GLC EV has more traditional front side glass and that’s a welcome change.

Designers also gave the crossover an upward sweeping beltline and muscular rear haunches. Elsewhere, there are circular taillight graphics inspired by the Mercedes star emblem. We can also get a glimpse of a minimalist spoiler and a plain rear bumper.

Baldauf

We still haven’t gotten a good look inside, but the crossover will presumably echo newer models and feature a freestanding digital instrument cluster as well as an infotainment system with a portrait orientation.

Mercedes hasn’t said much about the GLC EV, but CEO Ola Källenius recently confirmed it will arrive in 2026 and ride on the MB.EA platform. Little is known about it, but the architecture should be more advanced than the MMA platform that will underpin entry-level models such as the redesigned CLA.

That particular car hints at the GLC’s capabilities as it offers an 800-volt electrical architecture and a 320 kW DC fast charging capability that can deliver up to 186 miles (300 km) of range in as little as ten minutes. The model also promises a WLTP range in excess of 466 miles (750 km).

While a lot of this is an apples to oranges comparison, some electric motors may carryover. As a result, it’s interesting to note the CLA will have a rear-mounted motor with up to 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS). 4Matic variants add a front-mounted motor producing 107 hp (80 kW / 109 PS).

SH Proshots

Spotting the changes hiding under the camouflage of a facelifted prototype is part of the job around here. But this 2027 Mercedes GLC EV is a different case. It appears to have had a facelift before even reaching the market.

The GLC EV is the upcoming replacement for the EQC electric SUV, and our spy photo team has captured it several times over the past year or so. But this latest set of scoop images shows a prototype with a totally different front-end design to the one seen on earlier test cars.

Related: Electric Mercedes C-Class And GLC Confirmed For 2026

Those previous prototypes’ hoods featured a straight line across the nose a bit like on the current EQC, but placed further down the car so that it ran between the headlights rather than above them. And that seemed to fit with the new design language Mercedes had teased on the 2023 CLA concept car.

But this new SUV’s hood has a large notch cut into it, presumably to make space for a big Mercedes grille. That would give the GLC EV a similar family look to cars like the current E-Class sedan. The doors still feature some unusual ridges above their flush door handles and the placeholder taillights, but we expect to see new prototypes fitted with the final production equipment in the next few months.

Although this SUV replaces the EQC, it probably won’t wear that badge. Mercedes is changing up its naming strategy and called the electric version of the G-wagon the G-Class with EQ Technology, instead of EQG. So what we could have here is a GLC with EQ Technology.

It’s not only the name of the electric G-Class that’s changing. The EQC was an EV-converted combustion SUV but its replacement rides on a dedicated electric platform. We don’t know any firm technical details at this stage – the model doesn’t debut until 2026 – but Mercedes showcased 800-volt charging tech on the CLA concept so it would make sense for the GLC to get that too, although the CLA is built on the new MMA architecture and the GLC uses the MB.EA platform designed for medium and larger cars.

Images: Baldauf