2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　

What's new

Minor revisions to feature availabilityPart of the first GLC generation introduced for 2017

　　The "coupe" distinction was once reserved for cars with two doors. But more recently automakers have been applying the name to describe any vehicle with a tapered roofline. Mercedes-Benz is one of the main contributors of this trend, having launched its fastback-style four-door CLS more than a decade ago.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe GLC 300 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$199/mo  for GLC-Class Coupe GLC 300 4MATIC

　　GLC-Class Coupe GLC 300 4MATIC

　　GLC 300 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $47,300 MSRPAMG GLC 43 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $61,200 MSRPAMG GLC 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $74,100 MSRPAMG GLC 63 S 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $81,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Since then, Mercedes has added a coupe label to several models, including SUVs such as the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. Despite its name, the GLC Coupe is a bona fide four-door SUV but with a sleeker and less boxy look than most SUVs. And whatever you might think of the misuse of the nomenclature, the coupe is nearly as easy to live with as its standard GLC counterpart.

　　Like the standard GLC, the GLC Coupe features a top-notch cabin fitted with soft leather, decorative wood and metal accents, and some of today's most advanced entertainment technology. Tech innovation continues with automated driving features (Mercedes does these better than almost anybody), which are available even on the base trim.

　　The GLC Coupe also offers a trio of engine choices: a punchy turbo four-cylinder, a heavier-duty V6, and a borderline reckless V8 with more than 500 horsepower. The latter comes with the GLC 63 S, putting it into a league of its own. Few other small SUVs come with such a blistering engine.

　　The GLC Coupe's downsides mirror those of most four-door sedans and SUVs that pose as coupes. There's less maximum cargo space (49.4 cubic feet in the coupe, 56.5 cubic feet in the standard GLC) and less rear headroom. You also need to consider the coupe's not-insignificant price premium over the regular GLC.

　　But if you don't mind the compromise in utility and prefer the coupe's sleek looks, the extra cost for the GLC Coupe's comfort, luxury and performance will be worth it.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.1 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Coupe (turbo 3.0L V6 | 9-speed automatic | AWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current GLC Coupe has received some revisions, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our findings remain applicable to this year's GLC Coupe, however.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.1 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	9.0
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.0
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

8.0

　　The GLC 43 — a middle ground between the mainstream GLC 300 Coupe and the hooligan's choice, the GLC 63 — delivers thrilling performance when it counts. It's also agile for its size.

　　

Acceleration

8.5

　　A burly twin-turbo V6 delivers instant acceleration almost anywhere in the engine rpm range. A slightly lazy pedal response in Eco and Comfort modes is a gripe, but it is easily dispensed in either of two Sport modes, although both are too high-strung for extended driving.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　Braking force starts smooth and firm, then it gives way to hard and choppy bites as the vehicle slows. It's hard to brake smoothly in city driving, even with diligent pedal pressure. It stops from 60 mph in 105 feet, an excellent result for emergency stops, but it could be better in daily use.

　　

Steering

8.0

　　Tight, taut steering, especially in Sport mode, makes the GLC feel smaller than it is. There are exceptional precision and response in curves and excellent on-center feel. Sport mode requires microadjustments that can be fatiguing during extended drives. Save it for fun, open roads.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　The GLC is remarkably composed. You won't feel it bobbing or floating until you get on crumbling, undulating pavement. Extra-firm settings in Sport/Sport+ modes create more jostle but also more body control as long as the road is smooth.

　　

Drivability

8.5

　　It excels at sedate highway travel or quick, spirited driving. Drive modes are actually useful: Comfort is good for day-to-day driving; Sport and Sport+ are suited for deserted, twisty roads. When the GLC's coming to a stop, the transmission shudders subtly, but most passengers won't notice.

　　

Comfort

9.0

　　The GLC blends high performance with remarkable comfort. Seat comfort is exceptional, and the cushioned ride offers just enough firmness to keep things on the sporting side of the ledger. Road and wind noise is nicely suppressed for a serene cabin experience.

　　

Seat comfort

9.0

　　Mercedes' typically firm seats result in supreme long-distance comfort. The bolsters are firm but not unyielding, and they keep you in place during hard cornering. The rear seats are just as comfortable and come with optional heating.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　It feels tight, controlled and buttoned-down in Comfort mode. Bumps are mostly shrugged off, too, though there is some harshness over broken pavement. Overall, though, it's admirable considering the GLC 43's sport-tuned suspension.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.5

　　There's some road noise over rough pavement and a hint of wind rustle over 65 mph, but otherwise cabin conversation is unaffected by the outside world. The GLC is quieter than most of its competitors. The turbo V6's throaty rumble is enjoyable when you step on the gas.

　　

Climate control

9.0

　　The center console is home to three orbital vents with controls directly below, and a vent on each end of the dash provides classic design and function. Rear passengers get two vents. On full blast, it'll heat or cool the cabin within a short stoplight wait.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　The COMAND tech interface has a steep learning curve but offers many features and adjustable settings. The GLC Coupe's main drawback is the fastback roofline, which compromises rear-seat headroom and visibility out the back.

　　

Ease of use

9.0

　　All controls, switches and interfaces are laid out smartly and efficiently. A small cluster of buttons and icons around the central dial looks a little busy but offers easy access to altering vehicle settings, including drive modes, manual shifting and suspension damping.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　The GLC doesn't ride as high as many other SUVs, so that means most occupants will easily slide in. The ample front seat bolsters don't protrude enough to be a problem yet provide superb support. Taller rear passengers may need to duck under the tapered fastback roof, but most others won't notice.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　With ample seat adjustability and a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, the GLC impresses by accommodating drivers of significant height differences. However, adjustable pedals would probably help short drivers who need to sit close.

　　

Roominess

7.5

　　There's plenty of room everywhere for elbows, legs and shoulders. The back seat is one of the roomiest in the segment, with lots of legroom. But the tapered roofline consumes headroom, even though the back seats are mounted fairly low. Three adults would be very cozy in the back seat.

　　

Visibility

6.5

　　A short hood and elevated sight lines provide a great view forward. Visibility out of the rear window is limited due to the sloping coupe roof. The small sail windows ahead of the rear pillars help eliminate leaps of faith during lane changes.

　　

Quality

9.0

　　The interior of the GLC is built to a high standard of fit and finish, with narrow panel gaps and quality materials. Buttons, dials and switches all have a solid feel and heft. This car's cabin is built to last — a model others should strive to emulate.

　　

Utility

8.0

　　If you want maximum utility, get the regular GLC with its traditional SUV roofline. If you want near-max utility with a semblance of style and plenty of performance, choose the GLC 43 Coupe. It gives up some room to its sloping roofline, but it's less than you'd think.

　　

Small-item storage

8.0

　　There are numerous places to store small items, including a clamshell center armrest bin and rear-seat armrest with pop-out cupholders. Voluminous door pockets accommodate two bottles larger than 20 ounces each, and a separate cutout will hold loose items such as a phone, wallet and keys.

　　

Cargo space

7.5

　　With 17.6 cubic feet of capacity, the GLC 43 Coupe's cargo area (behind the rear seats) is about the same as the BMW X4's. Folding down the rear seats provides 49.4 cubic feet. The sloping roofline concedes space to the regular GLC but gains style in return.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

　　Two pairs of Isofix anchors are easy to access under flip covers and sit at the surface of outboard rear passenger seats.

　　

Towing

7.5

　　The GLC 43 Coupe is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　The GLC isn't a tour de force of Benz's latest tech — the E-Class is more advanced all around — but it's no slouch either. From its 8.4-inch touchscreen, high-quality sound system and a host of driver safety systems, the GLC 43 packs almost all you need.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.5

　　The premium Burmester surround-sound audio system is exceptional and a bargain for the price. Standard navigation is also top-shelf and beamed to an 8.4-inch display. The menu structure is easy to move through and convenient to operate with the dial controller.

　　

Smartphone integration

7.0

　　Smartphones integrate via Bluetooth or a USB port. You can stream or play music through the Mercedes audio interface, but the integration isn't quite as good as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Both are available, but they are incompatible with many of the available safety and tech features.

　　

Driver aids

9.5

　　Mercedes' adaptive cruise control is world-class. It sticks close to the car ahead but maintains a safe following distance and doesn't panic-brake when a vehicle jumps in front. Combined with lane keeping and steering assist, it delivers beautiful semi-automated driving in highway gridlock.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　Voice commands work handily to access navigation and music commands, even when connected via Bluetooth. Music commands are fulfilled especially quickly and fluidly.

　　

Which GLC-Class Coupe does zzdcar recommend?

　　Although the AMG GLC 43 costs significantly more than the GLC 300, the price includes a few of the GLC 300's optional extras, not to mention a powerful V6 engine that catapults the GLC from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. We think it's worth it. There are multiple options to choose from, but one of the most frustrating restrictions is that you'll need to choose between Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality and the Multimedia and Driver Assistance packages. You can't have them both.

　　

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe models

　　The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is a compact luxury SUV offered in four trim levels: GLC 300, AMG GLC 43, AMG GLC 63 and AMG GLC 63 S.

　　The base GLC 300 starts with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (241 horsepower, 273 pound-feet of torque), nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Standard features include 19-inch wheels, adaptive suspension damping, a power liftgate, a sunroof, LED headlights and keyless ignition.

　　Inside is a power-adjustable driver's seat with memory settings, heated front seats, 40/20/40-split power-folding rear seats, simulated-leather upholstery, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, a 115-volt household-style power outlet, a 7-inch central display screen, Mbrace Connect (includes smartphone app integration), and an eight-speaker sound system with HD radio and two USB ports. An optional Premium package adds blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry and satellite radio.

　　The AMG GLC 43 boosts the performance factor with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (362 hp, 384 lb-ft), 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned air suspension, and upgraded brakes. Interior and convenience upgrades include the GLC 300's Premium package, a power-adjustable front passenger seat and steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.

　　The AMG GLC 63 blends versatility and high performance with a turbocharged V8 (469 hp, 479 lb-ft), a sport-tuned transmission and all-wheel-drive system. While the GLC 63 is mostly a performance upgrade from the GLC 43, a notable interior upgrade is the premium 14-speaker Burmester surround-sound system.

　　The AMG GLC 63 S pushes performance to the limit with a higher-output V8 (503 hp and 516 lb-ft) and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.

　　Many option packages are available for all trim levels. Safety-minded buyers might consider the Driver Assistance package, which adds adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The Parking Assistance package includes a top-down parking camera system, front and rear parking sensors, an automated parking system and a hands-free liftgate.

　　For the techies out there, a Multimedia package is offered with a navigation system, touchpad controller and an 8.4-inch central display screen. There's also an option that bundles Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but note that it's incompatible with the Multimedia and Driver Assistance packages.

　　A few of the features in the above packages can be ordered as stand-alone options. There are a number of separate items that buyers might want to add. Styling upgrades include 21-inch wheels and AMG Night and Optics packages. Luxury enhancements are also available, such as a cabin fragrance and air purification system, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, sport front seats, heated rear seats, rear climate control, rear side-window shades, various trim accents, and multiple premium leather upholsteries.

　　

2019 GLC-Class Coupe Highlights

Type: AMG GLC 43SUVAMG GLC 63 SAMG GLC 63SUV

　　Trim: GLC 300 4MATICAMG GLC 43AMG GLC 63AMG GLC 63 SGLC 300 4MATIC

　　

Base MSRP	$47,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$199/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles