2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe Review

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe 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.

　　It's fitting that Mercedes-Benz can call a four-door SUV a "coupe" and get away with it. After all, this is the company that ignited the dubious trend to deem nearly any car with a tapering roofline a coupe with its fastback-style, four-door CLS more than a decade ago.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 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

　　$196/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) - $50,000 MSRPAMG GLC 43 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A) - $63,000 MSRPAMG GLC 63 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $76,500 MSRPAMG GLC 63 S 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $84,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　The coupe distinction was once reserved for cars with two doors, but the lines have blurred. Today, several Mercedes models use the label, including the 2020 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. For 2020, the GLC Coupe comes with the new MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) voice command system, which can recognize most natural-speech requests to control phone, navigation, media and cabin functions. It'll even tell you jokes.

　　If jokes aren't your thing, you can also bypass MBUX and go straight to Siri or Google Assistant through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are now included as standard features. Also standard: a larger 10-inch touchscreen infotainment display (also operable by a touchpad in the center console). Other changes for 2020 include new grille and headlight designs and more power.

　　The GLC Coupe offers its same trio of engines as before, only now the punchy turbo four-cylinder gets 14 more horsepower, and the heavier-duty V6 gets 23 hp more (gains of around 6% and 7%, respectively). The two recklessly powerful V8 engines carry over unchanged, with the mill in the AMG GLC 63 S making more than 500 hp. Few other compact SUVs, luxury or otherwise, 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 significant 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.

　　Notably, we picked the 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S Coupe as one of zzdcar' Fastest SUVs for 2019.

　　

Which GLC-Class Coupe does zzdcar recommend?

With more power and new standard features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the base model GLC 300 is more appealing than ever. It's a great choice if you just want Mercedes quality and cachet in a small SUV package. But we're still partial to the AMG GLC 43, which also gets a boost in power to complement its cushy air suspension and athletic all-wheel-drive handling.

　　

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Coupe models

The 2020 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 (255 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque), nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

　　It comes nicely equipped with features such as adaptive suspension damping, a power liftgate, a sunroof, and LED headlights. Inside you'll find heated front seats and simulated-leather upholstery, along with tech features including a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, an eight-speaker sound system with satellite radio, and the new MBUX voice-control system. Automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring are also included.

　　The AMG GLC 43 is equipped much the same as the 300, but it boosts the performance factor with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (385 hp, 384 lb-ft), a sport-tuned air suspension, upgraded brakes, and more aggressive stability control settings. It's the one to get if you need your SUV to do double-duty as a sport coupe.

　　More extreme performance levels are available from the AMG GLC 63 and AMG GLC 63 S trims. The AMG GLC 63 introduces a turbocharged V8 (469 hp, 479 lb-ft), sport-tuned transmission and all-wheel-drive systems, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. While the AMG GLC 63 is mostly a performance upgrade from the AMG GLC 43, a notable interior upgrade is the included navigation system and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

　　The AMG GLC 63 S pushes performance to the limit with a higher-output V8 engine (503 hp and 516 lb-ft).

　　Many option packages are available for all trim levels. Safety-minded buyers might consider the Driver Assistance package (which adds adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist among other features) or the Parking Assistance package (the self-parking system, parking sensors and a surround-view camera).

　　Many features can also be added à la carte, such as ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, adaptive high beams, a premium Burmester surround-sound system, and a wireless charging pad.

　　

2020 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	$50,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$196/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	17.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles