Electric GLC, iX5 and two electric Range Rovers: when they land in Australia and what they cost

For years, buying a large luxury electric SUV in Australia meant choosing between a few cars, most of them built on platforms first designed for petrol engines. That is changing quickly. Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Range Rover are each bringing new electric versions of their best-known SUVs, on platforms designed with batteries in mind. All three makers publish 800-volt charging figures, and their claimed WLTP ranges run from about 600 km to more than 800 km.

The details below come from each maker's own Australian website, newsroom or overseas press release, and each source is labelled. Where a maker hasn't announced an Australian price or date, we say so.

Launch calendar

Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4MATIC: on sale now

The electric GLC, which Mercedes calls the GLC with EQ Technology, is not a petrol GLC with batteries added. It sits on a new 800-volt platform. In Australia it comes in one version, the dual-motor GLC 400 4MATIC. Mercedes-Benz Australia quotes 360 kW, a 94 kWh usable battery, DC charging at up to 330 kW and a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 22 minutes. It says 10 minutes of charging adds 240 to 305 km of WLTP range. Mercedes-Benz Australia also gives an Australian WLTP range of 630 km. The car's European figure is higher, so check the Australian number when comparing.

Price: In Mercedes-Benz Australia's configurator (checked 5 November 2026), the GLC 400 4MATIC comes to about $113,000 before on-road costs. That is $97,691 plus $9,964 GST plus $5,383 luxury car tax. The estimated drive-away price for a Sydney postcode (2009) is $121,341, which adds stamp duty, registration, CTP and a $1,950 delivery charge. Cars with the optional packages (Long Distance, Luxurious Comfort, Exclusive & Sporty) start at $136,146 drive-away.

Highway range: Bjørn Nyland's 120 km/h test of a European GLC 400 recorded 475 km. We have not found an Out of Spec 70 mph result.

BMW iX5 60 xDrive: 2027

The iX5 is BMW's large electric SUV. BMW Australia lists the iX5 60 xDrive at 425 kW and 805 Nm, 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, WLTP range of up to 845 km and DC charging at up to 460 kW. BMW's Irish press release adds a 141 kWh net battery made from new, taller cylindrical cells, and bidirectional charging.

Australian timing and price: BMW Australia says the iX5 is "available to order from 2027" and that its "market launch … is expected to take place in 2027". It has not announced an Australian price. For reference only, BMW Ireland lists the iX5 60 xDrive from €107,445 on the road in Ireland. Irish prices include taxes and charges that are different from Australia's, so this is not a guide to the local price.

Highway range: no Bjørn Nyland 120 km/h or Out of Spec 70 mph results yet.

Range Rover Electric: orders open

The first electric Range Rover uses the same Solihull-built architecture as the current petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models. It has two 260 kW motors with combined outputs of 550PS and 850 Nm, a 118.5 kWh usable battery and 800-volt charging. Range Rover says it charges from 10 to 80 per cent in about 22 minutes on a 350 kW charger, or adds 220 km (WLTP) in 10 minutes. It quotes up to 372 miles (599 km) WLTP and a "real-world" range of up to 535 km. It can still wade through up to 900 mm of water.

Australian timing and price: Range Rover Australia is taking orders for the Range Rover Electric as a 2027 model year car, but it has not published a delivery date. Its recommended drive-away prices in NSW (checked 5 November 2026) are $346,601 for the HSE (list price including GST $265,551), $388,601 for the Autobiography (list $296,320) and $451,286 for the SV (list $342,243). For comparison, JLR lists it from £154,070 on the road in the UK and from US$138,000 MSRP in the United States.

Highway range: no Bjørn Nyland 120 km/h or Out of Spec 70 mph results yet.

Range Rover Sport Electric: orders open

The Sport shares the battery and motors with the Range Rover Electric but is tuned to be the sportier drive. Range Rover says its body is 61 per cent stiffer and its centre of gravity 73 mm lower than the Sport plug-in hybrid's. It does 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds in Dynamic Launch Mode. Range Rover quotes up to 609 km WLTP from the 118.5 kWh battery, and charging at 220 km in 10 minutes or 10 to 80 per cent in about 22 minutes. Range Rover's release lists four specifications: Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography and First Edition.

Australian timing and price: Range Rover Australia is taking orders for the Sport Electric as a 2027 model year car, but it has not published a delivery date. NSW recommended drive-away prices (checked 5 November 2026) are $248,111 for the Dynamic HSE (list price including GST $195,397) and $272,261 for the Autobiography (list $213,089).

How they compare on paper

*Range Rover quotes its charging times on 350 kW public chargers. It does not publish a peak charging rate for the car.

What it means if you're shopping now

If you want one of these cars this year, the GLC is the only option. The iX5 has the largest battery and the longest claimed range of the four, and it is the one most worth waiting for if range matters most, but there is no Australian price yet. The two electric Range Rovers are aimed at a different buyer. At about $195,000 to $342,000 before on-road costs, they cost roughly double the GLC, and Range Rover hasn't given a delivery date yet. All four are well above the luxury car tax threshold, so none qualifies for the novated-lease FBT exemption.