SHOW AND A BIT OF GO
The base GLC has premium looks and feel — performance costs extra
Mercedes-Benz’s GLC is the brand’s SUV sweet spot, comprehensively outselling its high-riding siblings, and trumping premium midsize rivals in the sales race.
Time to push home the advantage. Benz revealed updated GLC versions late last year – in five-door wagon and four-door “coupe” guises. Diesel engines have been dropped to make way for a plug-in hybrid and the rest use good old-fashioned petrol.
You pay $168,100 plus on-roads for a mad-dog AMG 63 S version. From the current line-up of eight, $67,400 buys the cheapest GLC 200. Our family of testers keep it real with the entry grade, which still has some wallet-bashing options.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
JULES: The term “Premium SUV” is up there with prosecco, day spa and Maldives holiday to a modern mum’s ears.
IAIN: I take it you’re a fan?
JULES: Whether it’s a Mercedes like this, or a BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Range Rover, Porsche and the rest, there’s something addictively alluring about a prestige badge and all that leathery space inside.
IAIN: You don’t think a $75,000 car for the school run is spoiling the children?
JULES: It’s mums that deserve spoiling. As a happy by-product, the kids benefit from multizone climate control, ambient lighting and premium surround sound.
IAIN: That’ll breed ’em tough. Anyway, thoughts on the GLC 200?
JULES: Gorgeous. Mercedes is kicking goals with its styling. For an SUV, this one’s not too big — ideal for our family of four – and there’s the right blend of class and showiness with the massive Mercedes star and what look like twinkling diamonds in the front grille.
IAIN: Two-tone wheels, giant disc brakes, intricate LED lights and side running boards all look the goods.
JULES: What’s the damage?
IAIN: Ours is the entry-level GLC 200, which is $67,400 before on-roads and options.
JULES: I suppose ours has costly additions to look this good?
IAIN: About $15,000 worth. This car’s about $90,000 to drive-away.
JULES: That’s still reasonable value for such a big Benz.
IAIN: True. If you get the basic version it’s just $1600 more than its C-Class sedan equivalent, the C200. And here’s why SUVs have usurped wagons as family transport — a C200 Estate costs $1100 more than a GLC.
THE LIVING SPACE
JULES: Wait a sec. This is a $90,000 Benz and there’s no keyless entry?
IAIN: Terrible omission. You get a smart key with a $23,000 Suzuki Swift. It means you don’t have to ferret around in a bag hunting for keys every time you want to open a car door.
JULES: Once inside, it’s a happy assault on the senses. Benz knows class.
IAIN: Faux leather, electric seats, black ash open pore wood grain trim and 64 colours for the ambient lighting ... then there are the 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen and fully digital dashboard. These are all standard on the $67,400 RRP version.
JULES: If you appreciate clean design, the GLC’s cabin’s a winner. The gear selector’s on a stalk leaving the centre console uncluttered. There’s just a touchpad, large storage bin, a few buttons and trio of circular air vents. It oozes style.
IAIN: Life’s little luxuries are found on ours thanks to the $5200 Vision Package. It brings a panoramic glass sunroof, head-up display and Burmester surround sound with the blingiest speakers in the business.
THE COMMUTE
JULES: I know why oldies love Mercs. They cruise in such comfort.
IAIN: In general. I found this GLC 200 a bit crashy at times. I’ll mainly put this down to skinny run-flat tyres on 20-inch AMG wheels.
JULES: On the motorway I found it amazingly well insulated and the engine whisper-quiet.
IAIN: It’s easy to relax with heated seats (a $1300 option) and radar cruise control. Impressively, I sat at 110km/h and the 2.0-litre ticked over at just 1800rpm in eighth gear. Effortless.
JULES: The digital dash is really clear, there are steering wheel swipe pads to navigate menus and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto keeps life simple. I love the “Hey Mercedes” assistant.
IAIN: The digital slave is called MBUX. Just say something like “Hey Mercedes, I’m cold,” and she cranks up the temperature. Brilliant.
THE SHOPPING
JULES: It has all I want — a brilliantly crisp screen showing 360-degree view for parking plus the tailgate opens with the swipe of a foot under the bumper.
IAIN: Its 550L boot is identical to the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 rivals. It’s as if there’s collusion on cargo space.
SUNDAY RUN
IAIN:
The four-cylinder petrol engine’s not one for the performance enthusiast.
JULES: Who needs it? If you want a fast SUV there are pricier models around. The performance is good enough for daily life.
IAIN: I’m a bit old-fashioned and expect my Mercs to pull like a train but the GLC 200 takes 7.8 seconds to reach 100km/h from rest. I’d be looking at the $79,700 GLC 300, which takes 6.2 seconds and gets all-wheel drive, making it more of a true SUV. The 200 is rear-drive.
JULES: Save the power for sports cars. My Sunday run would be posing in the city’s fancier districts. Many people commented on the GLC’s alluring looks.
IAIN: The GLC 200 can be optioned with adaptive or air suspension. If ride comfort’s paramount, I’d consider one of these options.
THE FAMILY
JULES: There’s plenty of clever active safety kit. The two kids had really good rear space and a couple of USB points.
IAIN: The rear seats fold rapidly with the pull of a button. Electric folding seats take an age.
JULES: The boot’s not big enough for our kids’ two bikes and they found the running boards slippery when wet when climbing in.
IAIN: Premium car, premium charges. The engine drinks only 98 RON and we returned more than 10L/100km. The first three services come to more than $2000 if you pre-pay.
THE VERDICT
JULES: The GLC 200 feels like a lot of premium car for your money, especially if you lay off the options. It’s ideally sized for a smaller family and the style and luxury cabin make you feel special.
IAIN: It is classy but a few of the expected luxury features are absent. I’d prefer my GLC with adaptive suspension and a bit more oomph. The entry-level 200 looks strong value and it delivers a proper Benz experience, thanks to its ample luxury, refinement and tech.