By Alistair Kennedy
Mercedes-Benz GLC is a mid-sized luxury SUV that’s available in two body styles. First to arrive here, in November 2015, was the GLC wagon with a stylish but recognisably SUV shape.
It filled the missing link in the Benz GL SUV range between the GLA and GLE models with the GLS at the top of the tree. The third letter in each identifies the model’s class, so A-Class, C-Class, etc.
The GLC coupe, the subject of this review, was launched here in September 2016. While it’s clearly based on the GLC wagon the coupe has a sleeker profile rather than its number of doors. Coupes traditionally come with two passenger doors, the GLC has four.
The SUV/Coupe crossover genre that GLC occupies is an interesting piece of design evolution which combines the functionality of an SUV with the looks of a coupe and it joins competitors such as the Range Rover Evoque, BMW X4, Jaguar F-Pace and, with its AMG 43 version, Porsche Macan.
Viewed in profile, and at the rear, it’s easy to see the distinction between the two GLC models. Not so at the front where they share the same big, bold grille highlighted by the large Mercedes ‘three-pointed-star’ badge. There’s a bulkier bumper at the rear of the coupe above twin chrome exhaust tips.
The differing profiles lead to the GLC coupe being longer (by 76 mm) but lower (by 40 mm) than the GLC wagon as well as being 152 kg lighter.
All variants get daytime running lights and roll on 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Coupes are not renowned for their interior space but the GLC crossover version is a genuine four-seater. There’s good space in the two front seats with a nice balance of support and comfort.
Rear seat passengers get the same shoulder, elbow and legroom as they would in the GLC wagon but, not unexpectedly, less headroom. It can still cope with three adults in the rear although, given the transmission tunnel, two plus a child in the middle would be preferable on long distance trips.
Black-ash open pore wood trim is standard and surrounds a beautifully crafted interior layout.
Luggage capacity with all rear seatbacks in place is an impressive 500 litres (just 50 litres less than the wagon) expanding to 1400 litres, a more significant 200 litres less with the rear seats down.
There are remote releases on the side of the boot to fold the seats. The GLC has additional, lockable, storage space under the floor.
The high tail and smallish aperture means there’s a bit of a lift and some juggling for access to the boot but the interior is long and wide.
The Benz GLC coupe comes with a choice of four engines. There’s a 2.1-litre turbo-diesel with two different levels of tune (125 kW / 400 Nm in the 220d and 150 kW / 500 Nm in the 250d); 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with 155 kW and 350 Nm in the GLC 250; and topped off by the just-released 350d with its 3.0-litre 190 kW /620 Nm turbo-diesel.
There’s also a Mercedes-AMG variant, C43, which is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol with outputs of 270 kW and 520 Nm.
All engines are mated to Benz’s a nine-speed G-Tronic automatic transmission.
Factory fuel consumption figures range from 5.8 litres per 100 km in the 220d and 250d to 7.4 L/100 km in the 250 with CO2 emissions between 151 and 173 grams per km. Not surprisingly the AMG C43 numbers are higher at 8.9 L/100 and 203 g/km.
In addition to standard suite of safety features such as multiple airbags (9), ABS brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution and electronic stability control all Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe variants come with Driver Assistance Package Plus which includes Distronic Plus cruise control with Steering Assist, Pre-Safe Brake and Pre-Safe Plus, Cross Traffic Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and two Isofix child seat mountings. There is also automatic emergency braking (Collision Prevention Assist Plus).
External safety is covered by the Mercedes Active Bonnet system which raises the rear of the bonnet instantly upon impact to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians.
The upper models in the lineup feature a head-up display that shows a lot of information.
Infotainment features are controlled via the M-B Comand system using either a 7-inch or 8.3-inch tablet-style screen depending on variant.
Our car were fitted with Garmin Map Pilot satellite navigation with voice input, or you can use the reasonably intuitive touchpad. The audio system is a 13-speaker Burmester with surround sound. WLAN with internet access for connected devices.
The Mercedes-Benz controls layout takes a bit of getting used to with so many items collected together on steering wheels stalks. Benz owners that we’ve talked to love it and, once you’ve adapted to the setup, it does all make sense.
Unfortunately on a couple of occasion during our test week we forgot that the chunky stalk on the right hand side wasn’t the turn indicator but rather the gear selector … with embarrassing results as we switched gear into neutral. This is potentially dangerous and should be modified as soon as possible.
External visibility is hampered by large pillars and the small, steeply sloped rear window with the latter meaning that the reversing camera really comes into play when parking.
Dynamic Body Control is standard on all GLC coupe variants and provides adjustable dampers to switch between Comfort and Sport settings to cater for different comfort and ride needs. There are also four drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport +.
Our test car was the entry-level GLC 220d with the lower tuned turbo-diesel engine. From inside the fact that it’s diesel is barely noticeable. It proved to be sharp of the mark with its peak torque kicking in at just 1400 rpm and agile around the suburbs. On the motorway segment of our route it cruised effortlessly and quietly.
We averaged fuel consumption of 6.9 L/100 km during our week-long test, around 18 per cent above the published figure but quite acceptable.
Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe is a functional vehicle with head-turning sporty looks.
As crossovers are designed to do it can serve twin purposes, the ability to work around town for family transport but also to provide a reasonable level of driving enjoyment than the typical mid-sized SUV.
To test drive the Mercedes inquire at Mercedes Benz Berwick, 518 Princes Highway, Berwick. Phone 1300 622 622 or 8794 0900.
Model range
GLC 220d 2.1-litre turbo-diesel four-door coupe: $78,500 (automatic)
GLC 250 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-door coupe: $81,500 (automatic)
GLC 250d 2.1-litre turbo-diesel four-door coupe: $83,500 (automatic)
GLC 350d 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-door coupe: $99,900 (automatic)
GLC 43 AMG: 3.0-litre twin turbo-petrol V6 four-door coupe: $109,900 (automatic)
