The Mercedes-Benz GLC has carved a significant niche in the luxury SUV market, and for good reason. Concerns about the complexity of its powertrain quickly dissipate once you’re behind the wheel. What’s under the hood might seem intricate, but in practice, the GLC delivers a remarkably seamless driving experience. A range of drive modes, including Comfort, Electric, and performance-oriented settings like Sport, Sport+, and Race, tailor the vehicle’s behavior by adjusting throttle response, stability control, suspension, and steering.
Electric mode operates as expected, relying solely on the electric motor for emissions-free driving. Comfort mode, the default setting, intelligently blends gasoline and electric power, engaging and disengaging the engine based on driving conditions. For a more spirited drive, the Sport modes ensure the gasoline engine remains active, which also contributes to recharging the battery. Regardless of the selected mode, the GLC responds assertively when you demand full power. While there’s a slight delay for the gasoline engine to engage in Electric or Comfort modes when you floor the accelerator, the power delivery is substantial once it kicks in.
Acceleration in the GLC is consistently smooth, without any noticeable transitions between electric and combined power sources. This is a key advantage, as some plug-in hybrids can feel hesitant when relying on electric power alone. To illustrate, while some hybrids show significant performance drops in electric-only mode, the GLC maintains respectable power (201 hp and 236 lb-ft) for city driving and highway overtaking even when running solely on its electric motor.
Performance figures are impressive. Mercedes-Benz estimates a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.4 seconds for certain GLC models. This is marginally quicker than the 3.5 seconds achieved by the previous V8-powered GLC 63 S in independent tests. Despite the horsepower increase in newer models compared to the 503 hp of the older version, the performance gain is slight, likely due to the added weight of the hybrid components, including a substantial battery pack. Official specifications for the latest models haven’t been released, but the inclusion of a larger battery suggests a weight increase.
However, this added weight doesn’t translate to a feeling of sluggishness on the road. The GLC offers ample power for everyday driving, and exploiting its full potential requires open roads and expansive driving conditions. The transmission operates smoothly in most situations, delivering rapid upshifts in Sport modes. While paddle shifters provide enhanced driver control, the automatic transmission’s intelligent tuning generally keeps the vehicle in the optimal gear.
Handling is another strong point. AMG engineers have effectively mitigated the GLC’s weight, ensuring agile and responsive dynamics. Standard adaptive dampers adjust suspension firmness based on road conditions and the selected drive mode. Unlike some competitors in the performance SUV segment, which can be overly stiff, the GLC maintains a comfortable ride even on imperfect surfaces, except in the most aggressive Sport+ or Race modes where the ride becomes noticeably firmer. Optional active roll stabilization further enhances comfort and performance by decoupling anti-sway bars when necessary.
Body roll is well-controlled in corners, although the GLC exhibits slightly more lean compared to a sport sedan. Similarly, brake dive is minimal but more pronounced than in a lower-slung sedan. The brakes offer substantial stopping power, but the pedal feel is firmer than some might prefer, requiring slightly more effort to modulate braking force, particularly at lower speeds. While drivers adapt quickly to this characteristic, a more immediate initial bite would be ideal. The available one-pedal driving feature, adjustable through multiple settings, is not particularly strong and doesn’t bring the vehicle to a complete stop, making conventional driving mode arguably more effective. While not initially available, carbon-ceramic brakes are expected to become an option in the future.
Standard rear-axle steering enhances maneuverability and stability. At lower speeds (below 62 mph), the rear wheels turn slightly in the opposite direction to the front wheels, reducing the turning radius for easier parking and tighter cornering. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels, improving stability. While early rear-axle steering systems sometimes felt artificial, AMG’s implementation in the GLC is seamless, contributing to a quicker turn-in without feeling unnatural, enhancing overall responsiveness. The steering itself, while not brimming with feedback, offers well-weighted effort and a quick, precise ratio.
The GLC 63 S is undeniably enjoyable on winding roads, though truly tight and technical sections may not fully unleash its capabilities. It excels in situations where its power and performance can be fully exploited. While the new engine delivers impressive performance, the exhaust note lacks the auditory drama of the previous V8 engine. Overall, the Mercedes-Benz GLC presents a compelling package, blending luxury, performance, and advanced technology in a refined SUV form. For those seeking a versatile and engaging luxury SUV, the GLC warrants serious consideration.
