The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Sometimes going for a premium product doesn’t necessarily mean blowing up the bank account. Such is the case with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, the New York Daily News DNA Award winner for Best Premium SUV.
The GLC-Class is available in two 4-door body styles: with a choice of a traditional squaredoff SUV cargo hold or a slopingroof model Mercedes-Benz calls a “coupe.”
For a modest base price around $41,000, the GLC 300 SUV has clean lines, classy-looking flanks and curb appeal that leaves no doubt as to its three-pointed-star heritage. Inside the hushed cabin are high-quality fitments, comfortable seats and premium-looking details. Rear passenger room is generous as is a cargo hold that offers nearly 60 cubic feet of space (slightly less on the coupe model) with the standard 40/20/40-split power folding back seat lowered.
Underneath, the GLC-Class rolls on the bones of the excellent C-Class sedan chassis, offering a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The GLC 300 is powered by a torquerich, 241-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired to a 9-speed automatic and good for acceleration to 60 mph in the low 6-second range. A standard Dynamic Select system allows the driver to choose between Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ drive modes to custom tailor throttle response, gear shifting, steering feel and other dynamic characteristics to personal taste.
For about $51,000 a GLC 350e plug-in hybrid model adds an 85 Kw electric motor to the 2.0-liter turbo gas engine for 320 combined system horsepower. The benefits are enhanced performance and a 74 MPGe EPA fuel economy rating thanks to its short-range electric propulsion.
Or, going the other way, GLC buyers can go the performance route with the potent AMG GLC 43, available with SUV or Coupe body styles. For around $57,000 this version includes an exciting 362-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and all-wheel drive, capable of runs to 60 mph in less than five seconds. A second, even more potent AMG GLC 63 model with a 469-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and toothy Panamericana-inspired styling is due later this year.
At its core, every GLC model, whether it’s the surprisingly affordable mainstream GLC 300, the fuel-sipping GLC 350e plug-in hybrid or the ground-pounding AMG GLC 43 or 63, is built on a foundation of solid Mercedes-Benz engineering and safety.
Just in case you’d rather shop for an alternative, though, our experts voted in significant numbers for the following runners-up, which make the cut for our recommended list in this segment. You’ll find them below, displayed in alphabetical order.