Not even 24 hours after BMW revealed the new iX3 electric medium SUV, its direct rival from Mercedes-Benz, the 2026 GLC with EQ Technology, has leaked online.
Press pictures appear to have been leaked early on Instagram, showing a new-look design headlined by a huge front grille. The weight of expectation is just as heavy on both SUVs, spearheading a new wave of products to avoid being swallowed up by China’s automotive juggernaut.
Like the iX3, it is the debutante of an all-new platform; MB.EA, but the Mercedes represents a departure in its EV naming strategy, eschewing the EQC label.
The star of the show is the 39.1-inch MBUx Hyperscreen inside, spanning the entire width of the dashboard. Featuring 1000 LED backlights, it will doubtless be liquid-cooled and facilitate augmented reality navigation and gesture control.
Much of the interior switchgear and details seem to carry over from existing models, such as the turbine style outer vents, steering wheel and door buttons.
After designing the Hyperscreen, it would appear the designers phoned the rest in, resulting in questionable proportions and details. The front grille is a very glitzy affair, featuring no doubt hundreds of LEDs to form three bars and the biggest three-pointed star we’ve seen.
The star motif is repeated in the front LEDs. At the rear, the full lightbar screen seen in the Mercedes-AMG GT XX appears to have been repeated. This could be the most controversial aspect of the design, which relies on LEDs within the light screen rather than detail flourishes.
Like the iX3, there is an 800V architecture but it will use air suspension and rear-wheel steering unlike the BMW, providing up to 4.5 degrees of movement in either direction. According to existing reports, the maximum charging speed will be 320kW – some 80kW down on the Bavarian. Maximum range should be on par at 800km for the top variant, which will use LFP batteries rather than NMC batteries of base models.
We will have to wait until September 7 (European time) for official specs. Which one is more stylish, this or the iX3? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
