2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Review

　　

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　As with athletes, CEOs and world leaders, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embodies an age-old maxim: Getting to the top is easier than staying there. The GLC helped create today's small luxury SUV class when it first arrived as the GLK for the 2010 model year. Since then, Mercedes' regular tinkering with the classic mix of comfort, performance, utility and technology has landed the GLC atop our small luxury SUV rankings, outpacing the half-dozen competitors that have arrived in its wake.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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

　　$188/mo  for GLC-Class GLC 300

　　GLC-Class GLC 300

　　GLC 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $43,200 MSRPGLC 300 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $45,200 MSRPAMG GLC 43 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $59,900 MSRPAMG GLC 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $73,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　With ample cabin space, the GLC handles office shuttles or soccer practice with equal ease, and an array of tech and safety features mitigate the road's daily hazards. The GLC lineup also ranges from mild to wild, so you'll find a suitable version whatever your threshold for thrills. Even after more than a decade, the GLC continues to pace its nearest rivals including the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60. Interested? Check out our Expert Rating below to learn more and get our in-depth evaluation on the 2021 GLC.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the GLC-Class drive? We tested the GLC 300. It has plenty of power for merging onto a highway or making a quick pass on two-lane roads. In our testing, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph took just 5.8 seconds. That's quicker than average for a small luxury SUV with a base four-cylinder engine. (For comparison, an Audi Q5 did 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds.) The GLC's nine-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly.

　　Maneuverability is another strong point. The steering is light and responsive for around-town purposes. Switch into Sport or Sport+ mode and the steering gains a little more heft, but never at the cost of comfort. Composed suspension tuning and strong brakes round out the GLC's road manners.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the GLC-Class? The GLC has outstanding ride comfort. It ably absorbs bumps and cracks in the road and gives you a feeling of stability and control. This is as refined as it gets for an SUV of this size. The front seats are also quite comfortable and have a wide range of adjustability.

　　Very little outside noise makes its way inside the cabin, and our test GLC had no creaks or audible rattles. It all contributes to a serene driving experience made extra comfortable by climate control that's quick to activate and easy to control. You can even easily adjust it using your voice through the MBUX infotainment system.

　　

Interior

8.5/10

　　How’s the interior? You'll find the GLC's interior quite roomy. Most of the controls are within reach thanks to a wide range of adjustability in the driver's seat. Getting in and out is easy as well. Rear passengers will be comfortable since there is plenty of space even behind tall drivers. The rear doors don't open as wide as the fronts, however, so access isn't quite as open.

　　The standard MBUX infotainment system has helpful menus and controls for nearly every function of the vehicle. You can control the system by touchscreen, with a touchpad, with scroll keys on the steering wheel, or even through voice activation. All of these interfaces respond quickly.

　　

Technology

9.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The 10.25-inch MBUX center screen has vibrant-looking graphics and menus. Integrated navigation and the digital information cluster display cost extra but are perfect complements. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility comes standard, and both boot up quickly. The range and accuracy of the voice control system make this one of the few worth using.

　　The GLC also has excellent driver assistance features. The adaptive cruise control, for example, maintains a safe yet close following distance from the vehicle ahead and doesn't panic-brake when a vehicle cuts in front of you. This system, combined with the lane keeping system, provides impressive semi-automated driving in highway gridlock. The surround-view cameras are very helpful for parking too.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Utility is definitely not the GLC's strong suit. For example, the GLC can only hold 19.4 cubic feet of cargo behind its rear seats, while the BMW X3 can hold 28.7 cubic feet. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds (when properly equipped) compared to the BMW's 4,400 pounds. Small-item storage isn't so great either — there's no great place to store your smartphone.

　　But the GLC is decent at family duty. The roomy back seat should allow you to easily fit two child safety seats, either boosters or the bulky rear-facing units. The car seat anchor and tether points are easy to find too.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates a rear-wheel-drive GLC 300 (what we tested) gets 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Our testing mostly aligned with that estimate, and we observed 25.8 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route. The more powerful GLC models get lower fuel economy (down to an estimated 18 mpg for the GLC 63).

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the GLC-Class a good value? The GLC is priced similarly to its competitors and feels every bit a high-quality luxury vehicle. There are premium materials throughout the interior and considerable heft to the controls. The body panels line up with German precision. This airtight build process, plus the addition of standard MBUX, makes the price seem more than reasonable.

　　But Mercedes loses points for its warranty, which lags the rest of the class. Sure, competitors such as Jaguar and Infiniti have better offers to make up for the relative lack of prestige, but the GLC is bottom in each category. If Audi and BMW can make a little extra effort for their customers, Mercedes should too.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　Mercedes' engineers focused on luxuries that can be enjoyed every single day. The interior design and ride comfort, for instance, immediately stand out. These strengths make it easier to forgive less sexy oversights such as limited cargo space. Stepping into the GLC feels like washing all your worries away. "Fun to drive" may be a stretch, but don't be surprised if you look forward to driving it every chance you get.

　　

Which GLC-Class does zzdcar recommend?

The entry-model GLC 300 offers everything most drivers will want in a small luxury SUV, especially when you add some of the many technology, comfort and safety upgrades. If you need an SUV with more zest, the AMG GLC 43 is solid middle ground. Either way, look to get a GLC with the Driver Assistance package — it adds some desirable advanced safety features.

　　

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class models

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC is a five-passenger small SUV available in four trim levels: GLC 300, GLC 300 4Matic, AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63. They come with different engines but otherwise have similar standard and optional features. Highlights include:

　　GLC 300

　　The base trim GLC comes with a well-rounded feature set that includes:

　　Turbocharged four-cylinder engine (255 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque) Nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive LED headlights Power liftgate 18-inch wheels Power-folding side mirrors Remote start (via smartphone app) Keyless entry and push-start ignitionInterior features include:

　　Simulated leather upholstery Power-adjustable, heated front seats Dual-zone climate control Household-style power outletStandard technology and safety features include:

　　10.25-inch touchscreen display with Mercedes' MBUX infotainment interface Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Blind-spot monitoring (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Forward collision mitigation (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)GLC 300 4Matic

　　The GLC 300 4Matic has the same features as above but with all-wheel drive.

　　AMG GLC 43

　　A sportier version of the GLC, the AMG 43 comes with:

　　Turbocharged V6 engine (385 hp, 384 lb-ft) All-wheel drive 20-inch wheels Sport-tuned air suspension (adapts to improve ride comfort and handling) Customizable ambient cabin lighting Upgraded interior trimAMG GLC 63

　　When 385 horsepower isn't enough, there's the GLC 63, which adds:

　　Turbocharged V8 engine (469 hp, 479 lb-ft) Enhanced all-wheel-drive system Sport exhaust system Multimedia package (navigation system with augmented reality video directions) Full digital gauge cluster 13-speaker premium Burmester sound systemThe GLC offers abundant options, both as stand-alone selections or bundled in packages. Nearly all are available on all four trim levels, if not already available as a standard feature. Highlights include:

　　Driver Assistance package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the GLC and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (steers the GLC back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Enhanced blind-spot monitoring (can steer the GLC to help avoid a collision with a vehicle in your blind spot) Enhanced collision avoidance braking Lane change assist (can initiate and execute a lane charge automatically after activating the turn signal for a certain length of time) Panoramic sunroof 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the GLC and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Leather or upgraded leather upholstery Ventilated front seats Heated rear seats Heated steering wheel Tri-zone climate control Wireless charging pad Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)

　　

2021 GLC-Class Highlights

Type: AMG GLC 43SUVAMG GLC 63SUV

　　Trim: GLC 300GLC 300 4MATICAMG GLC 43AMG GLC 63GLC 300

　　

Base MSRP	$43,200
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$188/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles