Professionals: Easy and highly effective engine; high-end infotainment system; luxurious supplies and lighting
Cons: Tight entrance seating; low-cost and annoying contact controls; busy experience
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is one among its model’s greatest sellers, and has been a strong alternative up to now. This 12 months, it has been absolutely redesigned, and whereas it provides some flash, it is not sufficient to rise to the highest of the lengthy record of spectacular rivals within the small luxurious SUV section.
The redesign does convey some interesting options. The inside specifically positive aspects the most recent ritzy design and know-how of bigger Mercedes fashions. The GLC is bigger, too, which has helped with a bit extra inside area. And it is all powered by a clean engine and wrapped within the understated sheetmetal Mercedes is understood for.
However loads of issues conspire to decrease the expertise. Regardless of the additional dimension, the entrance lodging are cramped, controls are annoying, and the experience is frustratingly busy. These are all areas entrants from Genesis, Volvo, Acura and extra do higher, and often for much less cash and with out sacrificing the rest.
Inside & Expertise  |  Passenger & Cargo Area  |  Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is wish to drive  |  Pricing & Trim Ranges  |  Crash Rankings & Security Options
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What’s new for 2023?
The GLC-Class SUV has been utterly redesigned for 2023, nonetheless, the GLC-Class Coupe carries over on the identical platform as earlier than. Given how a lot modified between generations and the variations in physique fashion, this principally leaves us with two completely different automobiles to assessment. As such, we’re solely reviewing on this web page the normal SUV physique fashion as a consequence of its higher recognition. If you want to learn extra concerning the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe in our most up-to-date assessment of that technology.
What are the GLC’s inside and in-car know-how like?
Moving into the GLC and you will be instantly impressed by how a lot it takes from high-end Mercedes fashions such because the S-Class. The 11.9-inch touchscreen specifically is eye-catching due to its crisp, vibrant graphics. It is matched by a 12.3-inch instrument display with equally elaborate visuals and a choice of designs. The remainder of the sprint and inside is roofed in high-end supplies comparable to actual wooden and steel. Customizable ambient lighting retains issues wanting thrilling even when it is darkish.
That massive display is sort of responsive, at the least after it absolutely boots, which takes a number of moments after hitting the beginning button. Whether or not you employ the “Zero Layer” mode or the older fashion with a row of menu icons, most simple features are pretty straightforward to entry. Menus can get slightly deep, although. The instrument display is extremely customizable, too, and the accessible augmented actuality video feed for navigation is trick because it superimposes arrows and different instructions onto a stay video feed of the street forward.
What’s not so trick are the intensive use of touch-sensitive button banks. They’re on the doorways, steering wheel and alongside the underside of the infotainment display. They’re imprecise and low-cost feeling. The steering wheel controls are significantly irritating, since you may be interacting with them ceaselessly. It is a disgrace, too, as Mercedes beforehand had rather more premium-looking and feeling conventional switches and buttons for these makes use of.
How massive is the GLC?
The GLC is a bit bigger than earlier than, primarily in size the place it stretches an additional 2.5 inches. That has added a corresponding quantity of cargo area. With all of the seats down, it has 59.3 cubic ft. With the rear seats raised, the specs say it has 21.9 cubic-feet, which is greater than earlier than, however we suspect Mercedes makes use of a special measurement method than different producers as a result of the area itself appears bigger than that – very similar to its predecessors’ cargo space did
Mercedes additionally claims improved passenger area, however not sufficient within the space that counts probably the most: the entrance. Knee room is critically tight with the middle stack and transmission tunnel taking on all of the accessible area proper of the gasoline pedal. The ability-adjustable wheel has restricted motion, which exacerbates issues. Head and shoulder room are satisfactory. The seats are sufficiently supportive and have strong adjustment.
The rear seats are literally rather more welcoming than the entrance seats with beneficiant room in all instructions. They’re formed comfortably sufficient, if a bit agency. An absence of seat recline is disappointing contemplating its ubiquity on extra mainstream compact SUVs. It isn’t alone in that omission throughout the luxurious section, however that is not an excuse.
What are the GLC’s gas financial system and efficiency specs?
For now, just one engine and transmission can be found for the GLC-Class, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a 48-volt gentle hybrid help motor. It makes 258 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. That is an additional 22 pound-feet over the previous mannequin, although simply 3 extra horsepower. It is coupled to a nine-speed computerized transmission and both rear- or all-wheel-drive. The rear-drive configuration is barely extra environment friendly between the 2 with 25 mpg metropolis, 32 freeway and 28 mixed. All-wheel-drive returns 23 mpg metropolis, 31 freeway and 26 mixed.
Whereas that is the one powertrain for now, there will definitely be extra highly effective choices sooner or later bearing the AMG badge, and certain a plug-In hybrid as properly.
What is the GLC wish to drive?
On the entire, the GLC is middling for the category. Its one turbocharged engine alternative (for now) is highly effective sufficient, and it does impress with its smoothness. The nine-speed computerized is pretty clean, too, although it is a bit sluggish on gear modifications.
The experience and dealing with are the disappointing a part of the GLC. It is on the stiff aspect, and it by no means settles down. It is all the time rocking or bouncing, even over small bumps. It isn’t the calm, cloud-like expertise we have come to anticipate from different Mercedes fashions. It isn’t adjustable, both, so that you get what you get. And with numb steering, average physique roll and a typically heavy really feel, it would not offset the mediocre experience with partaking dealing with.
What different Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class critiques can I learn?
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 First Drive Assessment: New, however not improved
Our first time behind the wheel of the second-generation GLC-Class.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class revealed as an evolutionary step ahead
The GLC-Class is revealed as a much bigger, extra highly effective small luxurious SUV.
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What’s the 2023 GLC worth?
Just one mannequin is at the moment accessible, the GLC 300, both with customary rear-wheel drive or because the 4Matic with all-wheel drive. The rear-drive model begins at $48,250, and 4Matic brings the value as much as $50,250.
On the surface, the GLC 300 comes customary with full LED lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof. The inside is especially well-equipped with an unlimited 11.9-inch infotainment display, 12.3-inch instrument show, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wi-fi machine charging, ambient lighting, and heated, energy, reminiscence entrance seats.
Notable non-compulsory options embody a sportier AMG-Line exterior trim, a panoramic sunroof, head-up show, entrance seat air flow, rear seat heating, upgraded Burmester sound system, insulated glass and navigation with augmented actuality video feed.
What are the GLC security scores and driver help options?
The GLC-Class comes with some helpful security options as customary. Most notably, it comes with computerized emergency braking, blind-spot warning, computerized headlights with high-beam help and driver consideration monitoring. Accessible as choices are adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go, lane-keeping and automatic lane modifications; parking sensors with automated parking functionality; and surround-view cameras.
Third-party crash scores weren’t accessible on the time of this writing.
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