Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class vs Cadillac Optiq

What's the difference?

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Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

$66,800 - $183,541

2025 price

Cadillac Optiq
Cadillac Optiq

$80,000 - $80,000

2026 price

Summary

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
2026 Cadillac Optiq
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded/Electric

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Fuel Efficiency
7.3L/100km (combined)

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Seating
5

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Dislikes
  • Misses V8 soundtrack
  • Big price rise over previous model
  • Smaller boot, no spare tyre

  • Ride can feel brittle on harsh road surfaces
  • Slow DC charge rate
  • Five-year warranty feels underdone these days
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Summary

Let’s make one thing clear from the very beginning - this new Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S E Performance is technically superior to the model it replaces. Whether it’s actually better or not, is the real question at the heart of the matter.

Why? Because, like the C63 sedan stablemate, AMG has opted to replace the previous model’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. It was a move brought about in part because of increasingly stricter emissions standards in Europe, but also ties-in with the German firm’s success in modern Formula One racing.

While the new hybrid system offers more power, more torque and better fuel economy, as the lukewarm response to the C63 has demonstrated, the hard reality for AMG is that its buyers associate it with V8 and even V12 engines. That emotional pull is hard to replace with logic, even if the new model offers technical superiority.

But how does the new powertrain suit the GLC63 - is it just technically better or is it holistically improved?

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2026 Cadillac Optiq Summary

The lonely Cadillac Lyriq finally has some company, with the iconic US brand tripling its range down under with the launch of the much bigger Vistiq (which we've already tested) and this entry-level Optiq, which Cadillac describes as the gateway to its electric family.

It's a medium all-electric SUV with plenty of equipment and – depending on whether you see it as an established premium player or another newcomer brand – pretty sharp pricing.

Cadillac says it has the German big three in its sights with the Optiq, so how does it stack up?

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class 2026 Cadillac Optiq

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