2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC First Drive Review: A Big… Evolution

The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC is now the most expensive option in its segment. Audacious or deserving?

Looks

As you’d expect from the Europeans, design changes over generations aren’t monumental. Yes, this new-gen Mercedes-Benz GLC is a larger car in both length and wheelbase but the overall stance is familiar. With incremental changes, what Mercedes-Benz has delivered is a car that looks more muscular – ergo, more SUV than before, but the GLC is also a healthy middle ground between the more subdued and sombre Audi Q5 and the outright aggressive and sporty BMW X3.  

There is also a good deal of bling to the design. The 19-inch wheels, for example, have more design detailing to them than even the C-Class AMG Line. Even the faux skid plates have been finished in chrome, with more chrome seen on the side skirting as well.

Interior

While the changes outside will need a keen eye, the new GLC is a different world altogether inside. The new dashboard design is shared with the C-Class and instantly makes the car feel larger from behind the wheel. There’s also a great sense of occasion in this cabin, with an appreciable combination of futuristic design backed up by top-notch materials. 

Everything from the AC vents and door pads to the dashboard’s edges have been seeded with ambient lighting too, so the experience inside the car feels even more amazing at night. Playing with cabin lights as an experience enhancer is a trick Mercedes-Benz has understood and applied better than anyone else ever since they launched the new-generation S-Class.

While the change in dimensions is only a factor of an inch or two, the GLC is a very spacious car for 4 tall adults. Rear seat occupants also get amenities like roller-window blinds and an armrest with pop-out cupholders. What makes me giggle is not so much about what the car does but more about how it’ll be used. Most, if not all, GLCs will be chauffeur-driven in India but when owners get behind the wheel for say, a weekend trip, they’ll realise how much better the front row experience is than the rear. 

The rear seat is spacious but the backrest angle may be a bit upright for some, and the seat base could’ve been longer to accommodate the more upright seating position better. Contrarily, the front seats offer great support even for large frames, although the new-gen Mercedes seat controls just don’t feel as intuitive to use as the old switches that physically moved. 

Additionally, while you do get heated front seats, seat ventilation is unavailable. The front seats miss the massage function as well, which you did get earlier. Instead, you have a seat kinetics program that makes minor and constant adjustments to the seats, so you aren’t sitting in the exact same position for too long. 

Boot Space

The boot is generously sized (620 litres) and plenty accommodating for full-sized suitcases. The rear seats split and fold down flat using electric releases and the front seats automatically move ahead to make room for the dropped backrests. Thankfully, the space saver spare tyre (145/80 R19) is placed underneath the boot floor.

Other Features

Feature Highlights

Drive

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC is offered with 2-litre petrol and diesel engine options, both paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, 48V integrated starter generator (ISG) and 4MATIC all-wheel drive as standard. 

We drove the GLC300 petrol (258PS/400Nm) through the narrow road of Hampi and through the Ballari-Hubli highway. The first thing that you’d pick up on is the engine note being piped through the speakers. It’s not something that’s apparent while ambling through the city at low speeds but make your way to the highway and with a little poke, the GLC gives you a raspy little growl.

The GLC makes for an easy daily runabout and feels relaxed to manoeuvre for an SUV that’s nearly 4.8 metres long. Combine that with the smooth power delivery and great noise insulation and you’ve got a car that you’d enjoy driving yourself. Where the powertrain really shines, though, is out on the highway. 0-100kmph stands at a claimed 6.2 seconds, which is quick, but even over bumpy concrete highways and with a full passenger load, it masks its speed incredibly well. The 9-speed automatic transmission also helps it sit at near idle revs while cruising at 100kmph (under 1500rpm). 

The 48V ISG is a handy addition to provide a performance boost of up to 23PS/200Nm in certain driving scenarios though you won’t be able to feel exactly when it’s active. It’s also important to note that this is an assistance system (mild-hybrid) designed to reduce load from the engine via electric assist to the driveshaft. It is not a self-charging hybrid system and cannot be driven on electric power alone.

The ride quality is slightly on the firmer side and sharper bumps will be felt inside the cabin. It’s plenty comfortable even through monsoon ravaged roads but alternatives like the Audi Q5 do slightly better when it comes to bump absorption. The GLC is however a very well mannered car, whether the going gets fast or twisty. Body roll is well under control and it doesn’t have you swaying from side-to-side over uneven terrain like some SUVs tend to.

ADAS

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC gets a host of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features, including blind spot monitoring, lane keeping-aid, auto-emergency braking (also known as active brake assist). While blind spot monitoring works very well, it’s best to keep active brake assist set to a late response time to make it less reactive to chaotic Indian driving conditions. 

The setup is reasonably India-friendly but in scenarios such as narrow overtaking windows while driving through truck-laden highways, the system can cut in when you aren’t expecting it. Lane-assist also works a little inconsistently and while it does provide steering assistance smoothly, it doesn’t always detect the lane markings or offer corrective inputs to get you back into your lane.

Verdict

At Rs 73.50 lakh-74.50 lakh (ex-showroom), the new Mercedes-Benz GLC is notably pricier than its predecessor and its current competition. With Mercedes’ new retail-of-the-future model, the potential for heavy dealer discounts has been limited as well. 

But there’s no doubting the new GLC’s desirability. It packages a great sense of luxury with excellent driving manners, a practical cabin for the family and a tech-loaded package that’s as cool as it is useful.