MERCEDES-BENZ GLC
Stuttgart’s popular compact SUV gets cleverer, softer and prettier. Form an orderly queue here
IT’S BEEN three years since the GLC arrived on Australian soil and immediately began being driven away from showrooms in droves. In order to keep the luxury high-rider popular, a Series II facelift has been introduced, bringing with it some small but important changes.
Exterior styling has been tweaked, with new lights front and rear, along with new wheel designs, and reshaped lower bumpers fore and aft.
Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX infotainment has been added as standard, which is a massive boost over the old system, while the active safety driver-assistance package has been expanded.
With MBUX comes the “Hey Mercedes” command system that we are familiar with in the A-Class. However, some other MBUX features that are available in other markets, such as the augmented-reality navigation system, aren’t fitted to GLC models at launch. The model line-up for the facelift sees the diesels ditched in favour of a new plug-in hybrid 300e. The old
GLC 250 morphs into this GLC 300, Mercedes reasoning its boost in outputs warranted a new name.
Currently just the GLC 200 and 300 have landed in Australia ($66,100 and $77,700 respectively). The AMG 43 and 63 duo are en route for an early 2020 arrival, with the PHEV 300e due in Q2.
Engine sizes remain unchanged for the 200 and 300, with a 2.0-litre fourcylinder turbo fitted under the bonnet of each. However, gone is the M264 unit, replaced by the M274, which brings improved performance.
The GLC 200 now sends 145kW and 320Nm to the rear wheels (an increase of 10kW and 20Nm compared to its predecessor) via a nine-speed automatic, shaving two tenths from the previous car’s 0-100km/h time for a claimed 7.8sec sprint.
The GLC 300 rises 35kW and 20Nm to 190kW and 370Nm, fed to all four wheels via the same ’box for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.2sec – nine tenths quicker than the old GLC 250.
Both units are perky, and perform the job admirably, though the 300 is our pick for those spending more time out of town due to its more relaxed character.
When the GLC first arrived in Australia, Wheels criticised the ride as too harsh. On this, we have both good and bad news. The good news is that the sometimes overly firm character of the steel-sprung car has been banished. The issue is that the new set-up feels like a slight over-correction. While there’s now a pleasing softness, especially in urban driving (which is, admittedly, where most GLCs will spend the majority of their time), if you’re the kind of buyer who enjoys some spirited B-road running, you’ll find that this newfound relaxed attitude towards body control dims the fun somewhat.
Our test cars rode on Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat tyres in meaty 255/45R20 spec (standard on the GLC 300, while the GLC 200 is fitted with 19-inch wheels from the factory).
Importantly, however, our criticism of the ride applies only to steel-sprung variants. Mercedes will offer three suspension set-ups on both the 200 and 300. Adaptive dampers are now available on the options list for the first time for $1900 (previously this was reserved only for the GLC Coupe), while those seeking even greater poise can tick the box for a full air-suspension set-up with adaptive dampers and an adjustable ride height.
Only steel-sprung cars were available for us to drive at the Australian launch, so we’ll reserve a full judgement for when we drive cars fitted with adaptive dampers early next year.
The only other niggle with this facelifted GLC is that aside from the MBUX update, the cabin is largely unchanged and is now starting to feel its age in a segment flush with fresher rivals. Still, the GLC is the most popular luxury SUV currently on sale for good reason, and the refreshed model should see this trend continue.