Mercedes-Benz GLC 2019 Review

Can fresh looks, a new engine and an all-singing/all-dancing infotainment system justify a price hike of nearly $4000?

It's a big ask for customers, but what are the chances typical buyers of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC will be deterred by that? Minimal, we would suggest, particularly when some active safety features that were previously optional are now standard.

And after all, if BMW can price its X3 sDrive20i higher than the old price charged for the GLC 200, that's surely a sign that the three-pointed star has low-balled... isn't it?

The price-versus-value argument for the entry-level GLC is one for another day perhaps. What's clear from driving the new model is Benz has used its R&D funds wisely indeed.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC has been facelifted, with new design cues evident in the wheels, grille, the front apron below the bumper and the new bumper at the rear. LED headlights are standard across the range, as are LED tail lights. Multibeam LED headlights are standard for the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.

A new family of engines (codenamed M264) replaces the M274 family and delivers an extra 10kW and 20Nm for the GLC 200 plus 35kW and 20Nm more for the GLC 300. The lower-performance model shaves 0.2 seconds off its 0-100km/h time (now 7.8 seconds) and the GLC 300 knocks nearly a full second off with a time of 6.2 seconds.

Safety features such as Traffic Sign Assist and Blind Spot Assist are now standard across the range, and the latter now includes Exit Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. For the higher-specification GLC 300 the standard Driver Assistance Package gains Active Lane Changing Assist, Evasive Steering Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist & Extended Restart function for freeways.

Other items now standard for the GLC are the MBUX system with 10.25-inch infotainment screen and a touchpad replacing the previous dial on the centre console. The instrument cluster is fully digital and measures 12.3 inches. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard and the Mercedes Me connectivity function provides Live Traffic updates, Emergency Call System and Remote Services. The GLC 300 comes equipped with wireless charging for smartphones and other portable devices.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC offers a good driving position, with terrific seats. Unfortunately, the seats fitted to the test vehicles are not standard, but come bundled together with the AMG Line option pack. That pack costs $3200 for buyers of the GLC 300 or $5000 on top of the price of the GLC 200.

According to Mercedes-Benz PR staff, half of all GLC buyers opt for the AMG Line pack anyway, and the seats are essentially the same as the standard seats, but with heavily contoured side bolstering for the backrest.

The GLC has been designed around a hip point that's right on the money for adults, so access is made easy for the oldies. It's also very roomy in the rear for adults, with the panoramic sunroof not encroaching on headroom to any great degree. Legroom is fine for adults too, and the kids get adjustable vents back there, to keep them cool on longer journeys.

It's actually hard to pick which is the better of the two infotainment/instrument cluster arrays offered in the respective mid-size SUVs from Mercedes-Benz and BMW. BMW's Live Cockpit has been applauded, but the MBUX system that's new to the GLC range offers similar levels of flexibility and ease of use. My personal preference is BMW's iDrive single-point controller over the touchpad of the Benz, but I'm sure buyers of the updated GLC will wonder how they ever managed with a boring old dial.

The GLC's boot is large, thanks to the lack of a spare tyre under the floor. There are finger pulls in either side of the boot to unlatch and lower the seats, which fall forward to liberate more load space.

Let's put it out there: the rear-drive Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 is a little more satisfying to drive than the all-wheel drive GLC 300, notwithstanding the added performance from the more expensive variant.

There's better steering response in the rear-drive GLC 200, although the all-paw GLC 300 does offers better body control. Both variants approach neutrality when turning into a bend on a trailing throttle, but also take a wider line after power is applied.

The steering is surprisingly light, but many buyers will probably prefer it that way. They may not be as fond of the firm brake pedal, although enthusiastic drivers will like it, and the GLC's braking system does provide immediate response.

While the standard 'Agility Control' set-up and the passive dampers of the test vehicles felt firm over larger bumps, the suspension did iron out smaller bumps quite nicely. At times, both GLC variants crashed over heavy impacts, but specifying Dynamic Body Control (steel springs with adjustable damping) or the air suspension may provide different results.

Both cars were fitted with the same Pirelli 255/45 R20 tyres, which are standard for GLC 300 but part of AMG Line option pack for the GLC 200. These are good tyres and they undoubtedly contributed to the driveability of the test vehicles, but the 45-series profile may have exacerbated the ride qualities.

Neither engine sounds as sporty as the four-cylinder in BMW's X3 xDrive30i, but they do rev cleanly to redline without any harshness. The nine-speed automatic transmission was slow at times to react to a flick of the shift paddle for a lower gear down and it was also slightly clunky on occasions. Most owners or buyers won't notice, but the X3 with its eight-speed ZF auto is a slightly better proposition.

The GLC was pleasing to drive on a short section of unsealed road. It felt surefooted on dirt and there was very little noise from rocks and stones thrown up underneath the Benz.

You may never take the GLC off the tar, but we know from the pre-facelift model that it's more competent than many punters will expect. Still, owners will mostly be content to stay on the bitumen – and in that role the GLC is a hard act to follow.

Just ask BMW...

How much does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 cost?
Price: $66,100 (plus on-road costs); $71,100 (as tested with optional AMG Line pack, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 145kW/320Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.8L/100km; 9.8L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 176g/km
Safety Rating: TBA

How much does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 cost?
Price: $77,700 (plus on-road costs); $80,900 (as tested with optional AMG Line pack, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 190kW/370Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.1L/100km; 10.4L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 181g/km
Safety Rating: TBA