2023 Mercedes GLC Review of the German SUV

The  Mercedes GLC  made its first public appearance at the ‘Hugo Boss’ headquarters in Germany. The medium SUV of the German brand and substitute for GLK arrives with a much more current image, more efficient engines, and more advanced driving assistants. The first novelty is its name: by the new designation of the models, the GLK disappears to make way for the new Mercedes GLC.

At first glance, the second generation of the German SUV undergoes an aesthetic evolution that was already necessary and that offers a really attractive result: without a doubt, the GLC-Class is a car that enters through the eyes. Now it sports a more modern design that places it ahead of some of the rivals in its segment -which already have a slightly more visible image.

Its main competitors are the BMW X3,  Audi Q5, or even  Porsche Macan or  Jaguar F-Pace. The new Mercedes GLC has larger dimensions than its predecessor, a longer wheelbase, and more equipment. However, it is 80 kilograms lighter thanks, above all, to a lighter body that has been developed completely from scratch. Visually, it adopts the features present in the brand’s latest launches, with an image that combines the elegance of the brand’s products with dynamic touches.

More room for occupants

The larger size of the GLC is reflected in the cabin, which has also been updated and now offers more space for occupants in all seats – front and rear – and in the boot area. Particularly noteworthy is the legroom on the rear bench. As for the boot, it increases both its capacity (the volume available behind the rear bench grows by about 80/110 liters) and its functionality, thanks to a flat surface with more effective use of space and a better arrangement of components. Inside again, the Mercedes GLC uses premium materials such as Nappa or wood trim.

An outstanding element is its touch panel, which allows you to manage the functions of the central unit through gestures and even enter letters, numbers, and special characters by writing. Above the center console, in the center, is a multimedia display, partially integrated into the shape of the dashboard.

A wide mechanical range

Mechanically, the Mercedes GLC is committed to more efficient engines that reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 19%. Initially available models will be the 170PS GLC 220d ‘4Matic’, the 204PS GLC 250d ‘4Matic’, and the 211PS GLC 250 ‘4Matic’. Added to these three in June is the new Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 ‘4Matic’, which is positioned as the most powerful model in the range thanks to its 367CV of power.

All have permanent all-wheel drive ‘4Matic’with a 45:55 distribution between the front axle and the rear axle. The two-wheel-drive version is scheduled to arrive next year. The German brand also offers a plug-in hybrid version, the GLC 350e ‘4Matic’, which offers a total power of 211 + 116CV, reaches a maximum speed of 235 km/h, and is capable of traveling 34 kilometers in electric mode.  For now, it is not available in Spain.

High technological load

The Mercedes GLC incorporates the ‘Agility Control’ running gear with mechanical suspension and variable damping system as standard. Its ‘Dynamic Select’ dynamism control system includes five driving programs (‘Eco’, ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport+’ and ‘Individual’).

In addition, an off-road technical package is available that includes real-time dynamic visualization on the multimedia display of the ‘Comand’ system, ‘Downhill Speed ​​Regulation (DSR) descent control, five off-road driving programs, underbody protection, function off-road lights, and vehicle ride height increased by 20 millimeters (with mechanical suspension) or 50 millimeters (with variable ‘Air Body Control’ suspension).

It is capable of overcoming terrain with a certain level of difficulty, it does not stand out especially for its brilliant off-road capabilities, the truth is that Mercedes has done a great job with the GLC. Equipped with the aforementioned off-road package, it can overcome obstacles impossible for many of its direct rivals, all while keeping its passengers in an environment of luxury and comfort.

2023 Mercedes GLC New driving assistance systems

The driving assistance systems of the Mercedes GLC are another of the highlights of the GLC. The medium SUV offers practically all the assistants already seen in the  C Class, E Class, and S Class: connected they give rise to what the German brand calls ‘Intelligent Drive’, a global system that fuses the data from different sensors making driving more safe and comfortable.

Like other models of the brand, the ‘Mercedes Connect Me’ service is also available in the new SUV. Apart from the standard functions such as ‘eCall’, accident management, roadside assistance, or after-sales service processing, the ‘Remote Online’ service application allows you to enjoy numerous comfort functions via smartphones, such as tracking to the parked vehicle, independent heating control, remote locking and unlocking of the vehicle or the consultation of different status information (odometer reading, fuel tank level or remaining autonomy).

2023 Mercedes GLC AMG Version

As mentioned above, since June the most powerful Mercedes GLC in the range has been available, the only version of this SUV signed by ‘Mercedes-AMG’, the high-performance department of the German manufacturer. It’s called the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 ‘4Matic’ and uses a 3.0 V6 BiTurbo engine with 367CV of power and 520 Nm of torque, a mechanism linked to a nine-speed gearbox and all-wheel drive.

It is, specifically, the same engine that uses the second most powerful version of the Mercedes C-Class range or the most powerful variant (for now) of the new Mercedes E-Class. Thanks to this, this SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km /h in just 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h. With this Mercedes GLC from AMG, the Germans stand up to cars like the  BMW X4 M40i  or the gasoline Porsche Macan S.

Photos;Automoto-Motor.es

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