Earlier than you get settled in with espresso and no matter consideration span you’re bringing to this Web occasion, the onerous information: there’s no AMG model, no plug-in hybrid, no inline-6, not even a GLC Coupe that’s not a coupe. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has proven up, in the end, because the GLC 300 SUV, with or with out all-wheel drive.

It’s nonetheless the good-looking all-around participant that matches someplace between the GLA-Class and GLE-Class within the Benz lineup, with a few of the similar type and a number of the identical wagon-replacement mission. Make no mistake, that is no ersatz G-Class: the GLC, similar as earlier than, is a luxurious automobile first, a do-it-all household shuttle second, and a efficiency automobile within the offing, third.

Positive, you would drive a BMW X3, or an Audi Q5, or perhaps a Jaguar E-Tempo and discover a few of the similar pleasures in roughly the identical order. However one thing in regards to the GLC-Class carries it off higher than the remaining, and most of that one thing could be discovered inside.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Is the Mercedes GLC a handsome automobile?

With seems to be much like these of the smaller GLA-Class and a few hints from the EQS electrical sedan and all-battery, all-the-time EQS SUV, the GLC hasn’t taken this second to interrupt new styling floor. That’s tremendous. It has a still-charming turtle-shaped roof line that applies particulars with care, not with abandon. The thick handlebar mustache of chrome throughout its nostril—do you see it as an homage to former chairman Dieter Zetsche or possibly that’s simply us?—fastens to a grille studded by dozens of small stars, dominated by one massive one. Someway it’s not overstated, and that’s consistent with the remainder of the design, from the faint shoulder traces that bridge fender to fender, till they attain the straightforward teardrop-shaped taillights. 

Elegant or subdued, take your choose, the outside’s no match for the high-wattage cabin. 

The GLC posts up in its small-lux SUV class with a monster jam of a splash design. It bulges and flows in a waterfall of metallic or woodgrain trim, elevates armrests to a different airplane with Remington-razor trim, punches squared-off turbine vents into the sprint, and locations an 11.9-inch touchscreen on the prime of a gloss-black obelisk that rises from the middle console. It’s what tombstones will seem like within the yr 2525, if we nonetheless use tombstones then. For now, it’s a touch-tastic play area the place Apple CarPlay runs full display and the place each speck of lint and Buc-ee’s BBQ sauce displays in dapples of daylight—which hit the display usually, due to the actual angle at which it reclines.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

How snug is the 2023 Mercedes GLC?

The GLC-Class can shuttle with the very best of its pack, too. It’s all the time been on the larger facet of compact; now, with 2.4 inches extra in size atop the identical 113.1-inch wheelbase as earlier than, the GLC doesn’t simply gown its area nicely, it extracts it nicely, too. 

It begins in entrance, the place 16-way heated energy seats discover a swell driving place for many drivers. It’s a long-distance trekker of the best order. Nonetheless, I couldn’t fairly get the digital gauges completely contained in the multi-function steering wheel’s prime half. 

Artificial leather-based looks like a self-own right here, nevertheless it’s just about a positive guess the AMG variations to come back may have the true stuff. So does the shiny black trim on the console, which lifts fingerprints in addition to any FBI agent I’ve interacted with (whole depend so far: 2). Functionally the middle console has its points: the smartphone charging pad inside it tucks nicely up underneath the console, even with the lid open. Clearly, Mercedes engineers need you to place the telephone down. The cupholders are tremendous, in case you drink normal-sized drinks. The toaster-sized console bin can maintain not less than one bundle of English muffins, although it could actually’t get them crispy.

Particular kudos exit to the GLC’s again seat. It’s nearly prepared for prime SUV time: 4 adults match simply, a fifth sits nicely sufficient for an extended journey, and those self same fussy engineers who’ve points with Snapchatting and driving discovered toeroom and headroom for everybody in row two. And since there’s no third-row seat, they discovered a means for the 21.9 cubic toes of cargo area to rework into 59.3 cubic toes. It’s one thing they name folding the seat down. It sounds technical.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

How briskly is the Mercedes GLC?

What additionally sounds technical—and is—is the GLC’s operating gear. You don’t want a mechanical diploma to know that the rear-drive GLC could be fitted with a system that additionally grants its energy to the entrance wheels; you may even name it all-wheel drive. The GLC has it, however don’t get it twisted: it is a crossover, with some SUV {hardware} tossed within the combine, so its speciality is in all-weather traction. 

It could deal with any climate, and it could actually pull itself into and out of most site visitors conditions with aplomb, due to one of many smoothest Mercedes 4-cylinders in reminiscence. It’s a 258-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 that spins out 295 lb-ft of torque. Its built-in mild-hybrid system makes it even smoother and stronger by including one other 23 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque when wanted—like from a stoplight begin, the place the GLC pulls cleanly and rapidly off the stripe. Mercedes guarantees a 60-mph run in 6.2 seconds, a prime velocity of 130 mph, and gas financial system as excessive as 28 mpg mixed; I noticed higher than that on the flattest east-west-east run throughout the Gulf Coast.

The GLC ships its energy round by way of a 9-speed automated, an excellent gearbox regardless of the occasional hiccup earlier than it selects the low gear an ardent proper foot needs now, proper now. The GLC’s drive modes can scare that hiccup away: spun into Sport mode the GLC drops its occasion manners and retains the revs excessive and retains the shifter on a brief lease, snipping off downshifts like a doctor clicks their pen once they write a refill on your Latisse prescription. (Take coronary heart: There’s a assist group for every part, even these slighted within the eyelash division.)

It’s nowhere close to AMG territory in energy, for positive, and the GLC’s inventory tuning hasn’t gotten the nice phrase but, both. Nonetheless, it’s inconceivable to fault a automobile with the GLC’s comfort-driven absolutism. With a four-link entrance and a five-link rear suspension, the GLC hasn’t but adopted all of the tech wizardry that may deal with much more energy, issues like air springs. It doesn’t want them. On its customary 18-inch 235/60 all-season tires, and even on the 19-inch combo on my press automobile—the GLC has the correct amount of bend in its knees. Experience over lengthy bumps and it picks up a spring in its step, however settles down rapidly earlier than it bobbles or, worse, stiffens in horror at its lapse. It’s resolutely silken, even when Sport mode applies about 20 % extra weight to its digital energy steering and when the shifting will get extra intentional. Lope alongside I-10 to a marsh-front Cajun place and again by way of swampy two-laners, and the GLC needs to return for an additional spherical of redfish nuggets. Positive, all of us need the AMG version now, but when we had to decide on which GLC to drive daily, it’s troublesome to see the justification for greater than the GLC 300.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

How a lot does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class value?

Partially that’s as a result of it’s in all probability probably the most value-laden automobile Mercedes builds in the present day. In base spec, the GLC prices $48,250 and comes with digital gauges and an enormous touchscreen, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, artificial leather-based upholstery, 18-inch wheels, 16-way energy heated entrance seats, an influence tailgate, and ambient lighting. That infotainment system, by the best way, now can embody augmented-reality navigation and sprint cam companies—however out of the field, comes with richly detailed maps and massive favorites tiles for straightforward tapping between XM Lithium and New Wave.

Each GLC additionally has automated emergency braking and blind-spot displays, in addition to automated excessive beams. 

Spend $50,500 for the Unique and the GLC beneficial properties navigation, Burmester sound, and a surround-view digital camera system. That’s the candy spot, except you want augmented actuality and a head-up show—each of which come within the $52,600 GLC Pinnacle.

The GLC Coupe physique type ought to return to the lineup within the 2024 mannequin yr, together with varied AMG styling kits and even an AMG version. We totally anticipate a plug-in hybrid, too. For now, if AMG-ness and coupe-ness don’t chart in your Scorching 100, the GLC 300 ought to. It’s a luxurious shuttle of the primary order, whether or not you agree on the redfish nuggets or not.

Mercedes-Benz delivered a GLC 300 to us for our take a look at drive assessment.