Mercedes-Benz GLC

The GLC is a compact luxury crossover SUV with room for up to five people. It slots between the subcompact GLB and the midsize GLE in Mercedes-Benz’s sport-ute lineup. The GLC shares a platform and some components with the German automaker’s C-Class sedan. It’s also available in a coupe-like variant called the GLC Coupe, which is reviewed separately.

Mercedes-Benz offers the GLC in a variety of trims, which correspond both to the included engine and also to equipment levels. The entry-level GLC 300 utilizes a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which initially produced 241 horsepower but was upgraded to 255 hp in 2020. The performance-themed AMG GLC 43 takes things up a notch with its 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder, which got a bump from 362 to 385 ponies in 2020. AMG added an even more powerful version in 2018: the range-topping GLC 63, which boasts a 469-hp turbo V8 under the hood. From 2018 through 2020, Mercedes also sold a 315-hp plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant dubbed the GLC 350e. Most versions of the GLC come standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (which the automaker labels 4Matic) is standard on all but the base GLC 300, where it’s available as an option.

Standard equipment on the GLC includes a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, forward collision mitigation, and a 7.0-inch infotainment display, which was upgraded to a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration in 2020. That’s also the year heated front seats, automated parking, and blind-spot warning joined the GLC’s list of standard features. Some notable options include leather upholstery, navigation, a surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a wireless device charger.