“I love everything about my Mercedes-Benz GLC 300! From its ease on the road to its stylish look! It's a great safe car and you won't regret owning one!”
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC is the new GLC 350e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid SUV. The rest of the range receives a few standard convenience features but is largely unchanged.
About the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC
1st generation GLC (X253 SUV / C253 Coupe), early pre-refresh year; third model year for the SUV and second for the Coupe.
Mercedes positions the GLC as a midsize luxury SUV that mixes SUV usefulness with the road manners and cabin feel of a Mercedes sedan. The brochure leans heavily on sporty driving, strong safety technology, and an upscale interior, while major reviews praise its quiet ride, roomy cabin, and rich materials. For most shoppers, the GLC is Mercedes-Benz’s everyday premium SUV: comfortable, polished, and easy to live with, but still more athletic than a purely comfort-focused crossover.
The GLC 300 is the straightforward rear-wheel-drive SUV, while the GLC 300 4MATIC adds all-wheel drive and also covers the sleeker Coupe body style. Both use a 241-hp turbo four-cylinder engine, while the new GLC 350e combines plug-in capability, standard all-wheel drive, a 320-hp hybrid system, four hybrid driving modes, and LED headlights.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The GLC 350e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid SUV joined the lineup with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, an 85-kW electric motor, a 320-hp combined system, standard all-wheel drive, and a 7-speed automatic transmission.
Tech and convenience
Remote start became standard across the lineup. Heated windshield washers, door entrance lamps, and added cargo-area storage details also became standard.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Hybrid, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 9-Spd 9G-Tronic | Auto, 9-Spd 9G-Tronic / Automatic, 9-Spd 9G-Tronic | Automatic, 7-Spd 7G-Tronic |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Plug-In Hybrid |
| MPG City | 22 mpg | 21–22 mpg | |
| MPG Highway | 28 mpg | 27–28 mpg | |
| Horsepower | 241 hp | 241 hp | 315 hp |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft | |
| Max Towing | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | |
| Trunk/Cargo | 56.5 cu-ft | 49.4–56.5 cu-ft | |
| Rear Legroom | 37.3 in | 37.3 in | 37.3 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| MPGe Combined | 74 | ||
| Alarm System | |||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||
| Automatic High Beams | |||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||
| Active Lane Keep Assistance | |||
| Park Assist | |||
| Rear View Camera | |||
| 360 Camera | |||
| Alloy Wheels | |||
| LED Headlights | |||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||
| Rear Spoiler | |||
| Roof Rails | |||
| Navigation System | |||
| Premium Audio | |||
| Smartphone Interface | |||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||
| Heated Front Seats | |||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||
| Leather Seats | |||
| Memory Steering Wheel | |||
| Power Driver Seat | |||
| Power Folding Rear Seat | |||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||
| Remote Start | |||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The biggest change is the addition of the GLC 350e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid SUV. The gas-powered GLC 300 models otherwise carry over with only minor standard-equipment updates.
Which 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC is the plug-in hybrid?
The 2018 GLC 350e 4MATIC is the plug-in hybrid. It pairs a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with an 85-kW electric motor, standard all-wheel drive, and a 320-hp combined system.
Is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC significantly different from the 2017 model?
No, unless the plug-in hybrid matters to you. The GLC 350e 4MATIC is new for 2018, but the basic design, cabin layout, and turbocharged GLC 300 powertrain remain largely the same.
What became standard on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Remote start, heated windshield washers, door entrance lamps, and additional cargo-area storage details became standard across the 2018 GLC lineup.
Did the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 get a new engine?
No, the 2018 GLC 300 kept its 241-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 9-speed automatic transmission. Its changes were limited to added standard convenience equipment.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC.
4.2
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC
(686 reviews)
“The drive is very smooth. Love the interior. Good acceleration. Like the style of the vehicle”
“It drives very nice/smooth for a medium sized SUV. I like the features of the vehicle and the interior space and use of that space”