Mercedes-Benz’s heavenly marriage of SUV and coupé
Sport and style cross over in this new coupé-like SUV, writes Michael Stahl.
HENRY Ford famously said that if he’d asked customers what they wanted, they’d have said faster horses. Following his instinct, Ford offered them an affordable motor car instead.
Modern-day car makers also offer answers to questions no-one has ever asked. This is evident in the recent profusion of crossovers: vehicles that mix and match paid-for platforms and powertrains to create something new.
A clear example is the coupé-like SUV, a beauty-and-beast marriage of luxury sports coupé and off-road wagon. Now there’s a niche within that niche – a smaller, more urban-focused SUV coupé. BMW’s X4 was first out of the blocks in 2014 but it has a new rival in Mercedes-Benz’s GLC Coupé.
Mercedes already has a conventionally shaped GLC (which we’ll call the “SUV” for clarity), along with SUV and coupé versions of the larger GLE-class. Opting for the GLC Coupé is a vote for sportiness and style, as Coupé prices are typically about $12,000 higher than equivalent GLC SUVs.
There are four engine choices in the GLC Coupé line-up: a 220 d diesel ($77,100), 250 d diesel ($82,100), the 250 petrol reviewed here ($80,100) and a potent twin-turbo V6, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43. In mid-2017, they’ll be joined by the even more powerful 300 petrol, 350 d diesel (under review), 350 e hybrid and AMG GLC 63 variants.
All are supremely stylish and generously equipped: 4Matic all-wheel drive, 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, Dynamic Body Control suspension, 20-inch wheels, AMG Line exterior and interior styling, “diamond” grille and 360-degree camera are standard. All but the base 220 d have a leather interior.
The sporty substance includes firmer suspension, quicker steering, five-mode Dynamic Select suspension (AirBody Control suspension is optional) and interior design that truly cossets. The 250 petrol we tested had us suitably convinced that the Coupé’s purposefully tuned steering and suspension, and supportive spread of gear ratios, deliver a drive deserving of that fastback body.
Therein lies the Coupé’s compromise against its GLC SUV sister. That sloped tail cuts luggage capacity from 550 to 500 litres and while rear leg room is impressive and headroom adequate, taller passengers will bump their heads on that falling roofline. Think of it as suffering for one’s art.