2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What's new

Heated front seats and a household power outlet are now standardOff-Road Engineering package and tri-zone climate control now availablePart of the first Mercedes-Benz GLC generation introduced for 2016

　　We expect a lot from the luxury crossover SUV class. These vehicles have to deliver on all the practical stuff that shoppers need, such as cargo capacity, passenger space and safety features. They also have to meet expectations for luxury, including high levels of comfort, a well-crafted interior, and plenty of high-tech features and performance. Pitted against all this, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC easily sets the standard.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$195/mo  for GLC-Class GLC 300

　　GLC-Class GLC 300

　　GLC 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $40,700 MSRPGLC 300 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $42,700 MSRPGLC 350e 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 7A) - $50,650 MSRPAMG GLC 43 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $57,000 MSRPAMG GLC 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $70,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Even the entry-level GLC 300 is appealing. It comes with a respectable number of standard features and a classy interior design. If you desire more power, Mercedes happily obliges with the 362-horsepower AMG GLC 43 or the ridiculously potent 469-hp AMG GLC 63. There's also a plug-in hybrid version, the GLE 350e. Of course, Mercedes offers an extensive choice of options and packages to further tailor your GLC to your particular needs and aesthetics.

　　In a class that includes all-stars such as the Audi Q5, Acura RDX, BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace and Porsche Macan, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC stands tall. In most cases, you'll have to pay more for the experience. But if you're shopping in this segment, the GLC easily justifies its cost.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class as one of zzdcar' Best Luxury SUVs for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.4 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 9-speed automatic | AWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2016, the current GLC has received some revisions, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Our findings remain applicable to this year's GLC, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.4 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	8.5
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.5

　　

Driving

8.0

　　This is an easy and confidence-inspiring small SUV to drive. Though the GLC can be had with more powerful engines, the GLC 300's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder doesn't disappoint.

　　

Acceleration

8.0

　　The GLC demonstrates authoritative passing power at highway speeds. That said, the GLC is not as quick from a stop as the Audi Q5 or a comparable BMW X3. In our testing, we measured a 0-60 mph sprint of 6.7 seconds.

　　

Braking

8.0

　　Fitted with the optional summer tires and more powerful brakes, our test GLC 300 came to a stop from 60 mph in 116 feet, which is a little longer than expected. Pedal travel is long but easy to modulate around town.

　　

Steering

7.5

　　In Normal mode, the steering is devoid of feel but surprisingly responsive. Putting it in Sport mode adds a welcome bit of effort that increases feedback and therefore confidence. Either way, effort is at least linear and consistent.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　The GLC is very impressive for an SUV. It stays reasonably flat through turns and doesn't feel very tall or large. Driving a fast clip down a twisty road is easy. The GLC is not a Porsche Macan, but it's much more capable than expected.

　　

Drivability

9.0

　　The adaptive cruise system controls the gas and brakes well, both on the highway and in traffic. (It can bring the GLC down to a full stop.) The nine-speed automatic is far smoother than other transmissions with the same gear count. On the downside, the engine stop-start system is obtrusive at startup.

　　

Comfort

8.5

　　Even when equipped with big wheels, the Mercedes-Benz GLC is impressively comfortable. Lesser-equipped versions should be even better.

　　

Seat comfort

8.5

　　Mercedes' typically firm seats result in supreme long-distance comfort. Three consecutive days with five-hour-plus drives yielded nary an ache or pain. Optional front-seat thigh adjustment increases comfort further. The seat bolsters keep you in place when cornering.

　　

Ride comfort

9.0

　　Ride comfort is excellent. Twenty-inch wheels add some impact harshness, but even with them, the ride is well-damped and in the realm of comfortable. Smaller wheels should produce a plush, nicely controlled ride.

　　

Noise & vibration

9.0

　　The GLC 300 is impressively hushed in just about every situation. Even when you mat the gas pedal, the four-cylinder engine does not sound overly strained.

　　

Climate control

9.0

　　There are three orbital vents in the center console (with controls directly below), and a vent on each end of the dash is a classic design with classic function. Rear passengers get two vents. On full blast, the cabin will be heated or cooled within a short stoplight wait.

　　

Interior

8.5

　　The COMAND tech interface has a steep learning curve but offers many features and adjustable settings. Otherwise, the GLC is one of the more sensible, family-friendly compact SUVs. Backseat leg- and headroom are particularly impressive.

　　

Ease of use

6.5

　　The tech interface is confusing. A redundant knob and touchpad allow you to choose your control method (good), but the awkward overlapping means they physically get in each other's way.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　The GLC is not quite as high as many other SUVs, so it's more a matter of stepping into the cabin rather than stepping up. The rear door opening is a bit narrow, but a square roof and pillar combo makes for relatively easy access.

　　

Roominess

9.0

　　There's an impressive amount of rear legroom for a compact SUV, even with a tall driver up front. It's quite comparable to the bigger GLE, in fact. Headroom in the front and rear is similarly generous. The GLC should prove to be quite family-friendly.

　　

Visibility

9.0

　　The roof pillars are thick, but there's good visibility all around (especially forward) with no egregious blind spots. A rearview camera is standard, with additional parking aids available. Accident avoidance tech is class-leading in both functionality and availability across all trims.

　　

Quality

9.5

　　The GLC is not as stoutly constructed as an S-Class, but it's not far off either. The materials are beautiful (switchgear, wood trim, stitched leather-like dash and metal speakers and air vents). Even the seats' premium vinyl upholstery is almost indistinguishable from leather. This Benz is a segment leader in quality.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　The GLC's cargo area is wide (good for golf clubs) and its roofline more squared (good for boxes). The rear seats fold at the touch of a button, and the front seats motor forward if needed. Small-item storage up front is OK.

　　

Technology

　　The GLC isn't a tour de force of Benz's latest tech — most others, including the new A-Class, have the newest toys — but it's no slouch. From its 8.4-inch touchscreen, high-quality sound system and a host of driver safety systems, the GLC packs almost all you need.

　　

Audio & navigation

　　The premium Burmester surround-sound audio system is exceptional and a bargain for the price. Available navigation is also top-shelf and comes with the bigger 8.4-inch display. The menu structure is easy to navigate and convenient to operate with the dial controller.

　　

Smartphone integration

　　Smartphones integrate via Bluetooth or a USB port. You can stream or play music through the Mercedes-Benz audio interface, but the integration isn't quite as good as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Both are offered, but they can't be had at the same time as many of the available safety and tech features.

　　

Driver aids

　　Mercedes' adaptive cruise control is world-class. It keeps close to the car ahead but maintains a safe following distance, and it doesn't panic-brake when a vehicle jumps in front. Combined with lane keeping and steering assist, it delivers beautiful semiautomated driving in highway gridlock.

　　

Voice control

　　Voice commands work handily to access navigation and music commands, even when connected via Bluetooth. Music commands are fulfilled especially quickly and fluidly.

　　

Which GLC-Class does zzdcar recommend?

　　The entry-level GLC 300 will fit the majority of shoppers and drivers. There are a ton of customization and tech options to suit your particular tastes. For the rare individual who does want stunning performance, one of the AMG models will surely satisfy.

　　

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class models

　　The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC is a small luxury crossover SUV with seating for five. It's offered in four trim levels that align with engine choice. Most buyers will select the four-cylinder GLC 300 since it's the most affordable and can be ordered with a wide range of luxury and safety enhancements. There's also the GLC 350e plug-in hybrid that pairs the four-cylinder with an electric motor. Performance enthusiasts will enjoy the AMG GLC 43's turbocharged V6, while the AMG GLC 63 turns up the wick even more with a turbocharged V8.

　　Note that though the GLC 300 comes with standard rear-wheel drive and offers all-wheel drive (called 4Matic) as an option, the rest of the lineup comes with all-wheel drive. The GLC 350e uses a seven-speed automatic transmission, and the other models use a nine-speed automatic.

　　The base GLC 300 comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (241 horsepower, 273 pound-feet of torque), 18-inch wheels, roof rails, adaptive suspension damping (not driver-selectable), a power liftgate, power-folding mirrors (with auto-dimming on the driver side) and automatic wipers. Inside, you'll find dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power-adjustable steering wheel, adjustable drive settings, a power-adjustable driver's seat, driver-seat memory settings, heated front seats, 40/20/40-split power-folding rear seats, a 115-volt household power outlet, simulated-leather upholstery (MB-Tex), and keyless ignition.

　　Tech features include a 7-inch infotainment display, Mbrace Connect (which includes smartphone app integration), two USB ports, and an eight-speaker sound system with HD radio and a media player interface. On the safety front, you also get forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and a driver attention monitor.

　　Select the GLC 350e plug-in hybrid, and an electric motor and battery pack will be paired to the four-cylinder for a combined 320 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. 4Matic AWD is standard. Electric-only range is estimated to be just 10 miles, however. After that, the 350e is rated at 25 mpg combined. A fuel miser, it's not. Otherwise, it's similarly equipped to the GLC 300.

　　The AMG GLC 43 is quite different from the above two trims. In addition to a potent turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (362 hp, 384 lb-ft), the GLC 43 is further equipped with 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned air suspension, upgraded brakes, a sport steering wheel, the contents of the GLC 300's Premium package (blind-spot monitoring, keyless ignition and entry, and satellite radio), simulated-suede seat inserts, and dash and door trim finished in MB-Tex.

　　The most exciting trim is the AMG GLC 63. Besides its turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (469 hp, 479 lb-ft), you also get further upgraded brakes, LED headlights, a mechanical limited-slip differential, variable torque distribution for the all-wheel-drive system, and a 14-speaker premium Burmester surround-sound system.

　　Some features on the upper trims can be ordered on lower trims, though most extras are grouped into packages that are available across the GLC lineup. We would recommend that buyers strongly consider the Driver Assistance package, which adds adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and front and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking. It also adds the contents of the Premium package to the GLC 300. Not only are they worthwhile safety benefits, but they are better executed than most.

　　There's also the Advanced Parking Assist package. It includes a surround-view parking camera system, front and rear parking sensors, an automated parking system and a hands-free liftgate. For the ultimate night cruiser, check out the Exterior Lighting package, which adds adaptive LED headlights and automatic high-beam control. The Off-Road Engineering package (GLC 300 4Matic only) includes multiple off-road vehicle settings, hill descent control, an underbody guard, and a special off-roading setting for the headlights when the Exterior Lighting package is also selected.

　　For the techies out there, a Multimedia package is offered with a navigation system, touchpad controller and an 8.4-inch central display screen. There's also an option that bundles Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but note that it's incompatible with the Multimedia or Driver Assistance package.

　　Some features in the above packages can be ordered as stand-alone options. There are a number of separate items that buyers might also want to add. Styling upgrades include 21-inch wheels; the Night package, which brings glossy-black exterior elements; and the AMG Line, which is available for GLC 300 only and adds interior and exterior appearance modifications, a flat-bottom steering wheel and the GLC 43's upgraded brakes.

　　Luxury enhancements are also available, such as tri-zone climate control, a cabin fragrance and air purification system, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rear side-window shades, various trim accents, and multiple premium leather upholsteries (paired with adjustable passenger thigh support and memory settings). A performance exhaust system is available exclusively for AMG models.

　　

2019 GLC-Class Highlights

Type: AMG GLC 43SUVAMG GLC 63Plug-in HybridSUV

　　Trim: GLC 300GLC 300 4MATICGLC 350e 4MATICAMG GLC 43AMG GLC 63GLC 300

　　

Base MSRP	$40,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$195/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles