The Mercedes-Benz GLC Class has long been lauded for its blend of luxury and practicality, but the performance variant takes this up a notch. Any initial concerns about the complexity of the powertrain in muddying the driving experience are quickly dispelled once you get behind the wheel. Despite the intricate engineering beneath the surface, the powertrain operates with remarkable seamlessness in real-world driving scenarios.
Image alt text: Sleek and modern interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Class, highlighting luxurious materials and driver-focused cockpit design.
A comprehensive suite of drive modes is available, catering to diverse driving preferences. These include Comfort, Electric, and a trio of performance-oriented modes: Sport, Sport+, and Race. Each mode meticulously adjusts parameters such as throttle response, stability control intervention, suspension firmness, and steering effort. Electric mode functions as expected, prioritizing all-electric propulsion and keeping the gasoline engine dormant. Comfort mode, the default setting, intelligently manages the engagement of both the electric motor and gasoline engine based on driving conditions and power demand, optimizing for efficiency and smoothness. Engaging any of the Sport modes ensures the gasoline engine remains active continuously, which also serves to replenish the battery charge while delivering peak performance. Regardless of the selected mode, demanding full acceleration will unleash the GLC’s full power potential. However, in Electric or Comfort modes, there is a slight delay of approximately one second for the gasoline engine to awaken and contribute its power, although ample power is readily available once it kicks in.
The acceleration experience is characterized by its smoothness and linearity. There are no perceptible transitions or jarring shifts in power delivery between the electric motor and the combined gasoline-electric powertrain. This refined integration is a significant advantage, as some plug-in hybrid vehicles can exhibit a noticeable sluggishness when relying solely on electric power. For instance, in independent testing, the Toyota Prius Prime demonstrated a considerable drop in acceleration performance when switching from hybrid to electric-only mode. This is not the case with the GLC. Even when operating solely on electric power, the GLC provides commendable power output (201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque), sufficient for confident city driving and highway overtaking maneuvers.
While official testing figures were not available at the time of this review, Mercedes-Benz estimates a 0-60 mph acceleration time of a mere 3.4 seconds for this model. This figure marginally surpasses the 3.5-second time previously recorded for the V8-powered GLC 63 S in controlled testing environments. Despite the substantial increase in horsepower in the newer model compared to its predecessor (the previous version delivered 503 horsepower), the performance gain is only incremental. This slight plateau in performance improvement is likely attributable to the increased weight of the new model. Mercedes-Benz has not yet released the final weight specifications, but considering the additional components such as the 6.1-kWh battery pack, it’s reasonable to anticipate that the 2025 model will be heavier than its predecessor.
Image alt text: Mercedes-Benz GLC Class driving dynamically on a winding road, showcasing its sporty SUV profile and confident handling.
However, this added weight does not translate to a sensation of bulkiness or sluggishness on the road. The GLC possesses more than adequate power for everyday driving needs, and exploiting the full capabilities of the GLC 63 S requires ample open road. The transmission operates seamlessly under normal driving conditions, yet it delivers incredibly rapid upshifts when engaged in one of the sport driving modes. The steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters offer enhanced driver engagement and control, but the intelligent transmission tuning in automatic mode generally ensures the vehicle is in the optimal gear at the appropriate time.
Handling prowess is another strong suit of the GLC 63 S. AMG’s engineers have effectively mitigated the sensation of weight in the GLC 63 S, resulting in surprisingly agile dynamics. Adaptive dampers are standard equipment, continuously adjusting the suspension’s responsiveness based on road surface conditions and the selected drive mode. In contrast, some competitors, such as the BMW X3 M Competition, can exhibit a ride stiffness that becomes tiring on less-than-perfect road surfaces. The GLC, however, maintains a composed ride, although ride firmness does increase noticeably in the Sport+ or Race drive modes. The optional active roll stabilization system employs multi-piece anti-sway bars at both the front and rear axles, a departure from the conventional solid one-piece anti-sway bars found in most vehicles. This innovative design enables the vehicle to decouple the anti-sway bar function from left to right as needed, optimizing both ride comfort and handling performance.
Body roll is well-controlled in corners, although the GLC exhibits slightly more lean compared to a sport sedan like the C 63 S. Similarly, brake dive is minimal but more pronounced than what would be expected in a dedicated sport sedan. The braking system presents a mixed experience. While there is no deficiency in stopping power, the brake pedal feel is described as stiff, requiring more pedal effort to achieve deceleration than anticipated, especially when approaching traffic lights or stop signs. While drivers acclimate to this pedal feel relatively quickly, a more immediate initial bite upon pedal application would be preferable. Another minor drawback is the available one-pedal driving function. It offers four settings, including a complete deactivation mode, but none of the settings provide particularly aggressive deceleration or the ability to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. In practical driving, it is arguably more intuitive to operate the vehicle without engaging the one-pedal driving feature. Although not present on the test vehicle and not scheduled for immediate availability at the GLC 63 S launch, carbon-ceramic brakes are slated to be offered as an optional upgrade in the future.
Rear-axle steering is included as standard equipment. Like comparable rear-axle steering systems, it operates in two distinct modes based on vehicle speed. At speeds below 62 mph (100 kph), the rear wheels steer by a few degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels. This counter-steering action effectively reduces the turning radius, enhancing maneuverability in parking situations and enabling tighter cornering lines. Above this speed threshold, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front wheels, contributing to increased high-speed stability. Earlier iterations of rear-axle steering systems sometimes exhibited an artificial feel and could introduce unpredictable handling characteristics. However, AMG has refined the system in the GLC, achieving a seamless and natural integration. The GLC exhibits a slightly quicker turn-in response than expected for a vehicle of its size, but it feels intuitive and primarily enhances the vehicle’s overall responsiveness. The steering system itself also contributes positively to the driving experience. While feedback through the steering wheel is not abundant, the steering effort is precisely calibrated, and the steering ratio is quick without feeling overly nervous or darty.
The GLC 63 S proves to be genuinely enjoyable to drive on winding roads. However, particularly tight and technical roads may not fully allow the vehicle to showcase its performance potential. Unlocking the full spectrum of the GLC 63 S’s capabilities necessitates open roads and higher speeds, although it remains highly capable in a wide range of driving scenarios. While the new engine delivers impressive power and performance, the exhaust note is notably more subdued compared to the distinctive and evocative sound of the previous V8 engine.
