Mercedes-Benz entered the mid-size SUV segment in 2008 with the GL Kompakt, or GLK for short. Hailed as a “trendsetter” at the time, the GLK drew on the heritage of the G-Class, the forefather of all Mercedes-Benz SUVs. The third-generation GLC celebrates this legacy by moving the needle in the luxury mid-size SUV class.
In 2015, Mercedes-Benz presented the successor of the famed GLK mid-size luxury SUV under the name GLC to better align its most successful worldwide seller with the global Mercedes naming strategy. As the ‘GL’ embodiment of the C-Class sedan series, the GLC impressed with excellent safety, state-of-the-art assistance systems, energy efficiency, and high dynamics. Since introducing the GLC and its direct predecessor, the GLK, Mercedes-Benz has sold more than 2.6 million vehicles worldwide. Now in its third generation, the ‘Kompakt’ continues this SUV success story.
INTELLIGENCE AND EMOTION
The GLC is immediately recognisable as a member of the Mercedes-Benz SUV family. Standard equipment includes the AVANTGARDE exterior with Chrome package, including chrome window surrounds and a new, chrome-look simulated under guard.
One of the defining design highlights of the GLC is the redesigned front end, with headlamps that connect directly to the radiator grille to emphasise the vehicle’s width, and the new radiator grille as part of the standard AVANTGARDE exterior, which now has a chrome surround and a sporty louvre in matt grey with chrome trim. The AMG Line has a radiator grille with a Mercedes-Benz pattern.
The body design is characterised by a spanned surface design with precisely shaped edges on the sides. These emphasise the proportions, accentuate the muscular wheel arches, and balance elegance and off-road performance. Wheel arch liners in the vehicle colour are available from the AMG Line upwards for the first time. Also available as an optional extra are easy-entry running boards and a Night package from the AMG Line upwards.
Other features of the sporty, confident appearance are the wide track and flush wheels in 18- to 20” sizes. Several aerodynamically optimised wheels available ex-factory features a modern design with a high-sheen finish and bicolour surfaces. The new two-section rear lights have an interior with a three-dimensional look and emphasise the width of the rear end.
MODERN SPORTY INTERIOR
Bridging the gap between instantly recognisable Mercedes-Benz traits and a modern feel, the interior of the new GLC is cleverly structured. This is most evident on the dashboard with its wing-like profile with flattened airflow nozzles that Mercedes-Benz says resemble the engine nacelles of an aircraft. The lower section flows harmoniously into the curved centre console through an 11.9” central display very similar to that of the new C-Class. The floating display is almost imperceptibly angled towards the driver, while in her direct field of vision, a 12.3” high-resolution instrumentation screen also appears to float freely over the winged dashboard. An optional leather-lined dashboard with nappa-look beltlines is available for the standard GLC, although it is standard specification for the AMG Line.
Mercedes has also reinterpreted their classic wood veneer trim with innovative open-pored veneers in brown or black tones with form-following inlays in real aluminium.
Key to the GLC’s dynamic appearance and practical usability is a length increase (by 60 mm) to 4,716 mm overall. It is also 4 mm lower than its predecessor, giving it a more powerful, low-slung stance. This is also evident in the wider track – 6 mm at the front and 23 mm at the rear.
The increased length also means that the wheelbase is longer, and overhangs at both ends have also increased. The most crucial benefit is that one can fit an additional 70 litres of luggage into the now 620-litre compartment. Loading and unloading are also easier with an automated tailgate as standard on all models.
MORE LUXURY AND REFINEMENT
Mercedes-Benz is considered the world’s pre-eminent luxury car brand, and in line with this strategy, the GLC’s standard equipment list has been extended to offer more from the get-go. One example is that Merc’s AVANTGARDE Line is now standard.
In addition, choosing optional equipment is also easier, to deliver on customer demands to reduce the effort of selecting from numerous individual options. Simply put, Mercedes-Benz has studied which functional features are frequently ordered together and bundled those into equipment packages based on buyer behaviour. Where design options such as paint finish, upholstery, trim and wheels are concerned, customers can configure their vehicles individually as before.
Popular features such as large displays, smartphone integration, and wireless charging are standard, although a panoramic sunroof can only be had as an optional extra.
The new GLC also has high-performance LED headlamps as standard, with the brand’s Digital Light package available as an optional extra. According to Mercedes, this precision lighting technology creates almost unlimited possibilities for high-resolution and targeted light distribution.
DRIVE ELECTRIFIED
All GLC models are mild hybrids with a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter-generator for improved power delivery. The system allows for better coasting when less power is needed, a boost when additional power is required, and recuperation for enhanced fuel efficiency.
Merc introduced three engine derivatives – two turbodiesels and one petrol turbo – all with 4Matic all-wheel-drive. We sampled the entry-level 220d during the launch drive in the Western Cape, with its 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 145 kW and 440 Nm of torque. The mild-hybrid system adds 17 kW and 200 Nm of boost when needed in this configuration. However, this is less of a sporty attribute than one might think, as the extra oomph is primarily available at low speeds to preserve fuel economy. If more power is what you’re after, the 300d (also a 2.0-litre mill) has increased outputs of 198 kW and 550 Nm.
For now, the only petrol-powered GLC is the 300 with its turbocharged 2.0-litre mill that delivers 190 kW and 400 Nm of torque, although this was not available to test during the launch drive. All powertrains are mated to Merc’s tried and tested nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.
MORE AGILITY ACROSS TERRAINS
Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the GLC with a new four-link suspension at the front and a multi-link independent rear suspension mounted to a subframe. The standard coil-sprung suspension offers a marked improvement over the previous car, especially regarding ride comfort and less noise intrusion. An Engineering package is offered as an option, which adds Airmatic suspension with level control and rear-axle steering. The air suspension also adds the ability to adjust ride height – particularly useful in off-road conditions – while rear-axle steering will add a new level of off-road manoeuvrability to the GLC.
True to its GL heritage, the new GLC is made for off-road driving and comes prepared with several new features and systems. Standard equipment includes an off-road driving mode and Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR). In off-road mode, the GLC’s 360-degree camera offers a “transparent bonnet” that displays an image of what is ahead of the GLC’s bumper between zero and 8 km/h. Above that, to a maximum speed of 20 km/h, the image is projected forward so you can spot obstacles farther ahead.
These virtual views are shown on the central display and will also show the steering position of the front wheels. On the driver’s display, one will see inclination, gradient, topographical altitude, geo-coordinates, a compass, road speed, and engine speed.
LAST WORD
The new GLC introduces more tech, an improved suspension, and a simplified options menu to an already popular model for the Stuttgart-based luxury brand. The engine range at launch is ample enough to satisfy most needs, and we expect the line-up to grow nicely with AMG models coming later this year.
Effectively a more practical C-Class clone that is, in our opinion at least, still the mid-size SUV segment leader in many respects, the GLC has some stiff competition from the likes of the new BMW X1, which is priced slightly better than the GLC range.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © MERCEDES-BENZ SOUTH AFRICA