Mercedes-Benz GLC 2023 Review

As we’re becoming increasingly accustomed to, the brings with it a substantial price rise over its predecessor, starting at $103,370 plus on-road costs for the GLC 300.

That’s bad news if you want an ‘entry level’ GLC, as Mercedes-Benz Australia is only offering the one variant at launch, so that’s also the entry price to the range, rather than the previous model’s $80,800 GLC 200 starting point.

The price hike is offset by a substantial increase in standard equipment, but it does mean the new GLC 300 is more expensive than all its main rivals to varying degrees.

Some are much cheaper, such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce (from $82,950), Audi Q5 45 TFSI ($82,800) and Volvo XC60 Ultimate B6 ($86,990), others fractionally so, like the BMW X3 30i ($97,900) and Porsche Macan T ($98,700).

Most buyers of the previous generation purportedly ticked plenty of options boxes, so in response Mercedes Australia has made the vast majority of the gear standard for the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.

Starting on the outside, metallic paint is now no additional cost, though two ‘Manufaktur’ colours attract an extra $1500, and the AMG Line exterior package is also included.

The latter features 20-inch wheels ($1000 paints them black), a body kit, body-colour wheel-arch linings, larger front brakes, three-pointed star pattern radiator grille and twin exhaust outlets.

Step inside and the AMG Line interior package includes sports seats, extended leather surfacing, AMG steering wheel, ambient lighting and various silver chrome and high-gloss black trim elements.

Then there’s the head-up display, panoramic sunroof, heated memory seats, premium sound system, electric tailgate, keyless entry/start and fancy LED headlights that can avoid dazzling other drivers.

The one remaining option package is the $6900 ‘Plus Package’ which includes a laminated windscreen for greater heat and noise insulation, sound personalisation, advanced vehicle protection, augmented reality satellite navigation, Burmester surround-sound system, Digital Light (spookily advanced headlights) and more.

Mercedes offers a trio of servicing plans over three ($3200), four ($4250) or five ($6500) years, and even if you cover plenty of distance the 12-month/25,000km service intervals mean you still won’t have to visit the dealer much.

Nevertheless, the five-year service plans for the Audi Q5 ($3140) and BMW X3 ($2400) show the GLC is certainly on the higher end of the spectrum.

A five-star ANCAP safety rating with scores of 92 per cent for adult and child occupant protection make the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC as safe as houses.

It has airbags galore including a centre airbag to prevent front passengers colliding as well as a vast array of active safety equipment.

There’s adaptive cruise control with traffic assist, active lane keep assist, active lane change assist, cross traffic assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), traffic sign recognition and much more.

Rest assured as you drive along the GLC is constantly scanning your surrounds to keep you out of strife.

Just as importantly, in general these systems are unobtrusive and as a result you’re unlikely to deactivate them in frustration.

Parking assist with a 360-degree camera and sensors front and rear also has you covered.

You can’t miss the technology offering in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC, as the giant digital screens grab your attention the moment you open the door.

The huge portrait infotainment screen is familiar from the C-Class and in general it’s intuitive in its operation. Certain functions do require a bit of menu hopping but, equally, most functions are quickly found and adjusted.

Alternatively, just say “Hey Mercedes” and ask for what you want adjusted; chances are your request will be recognised and actioned.

One of the benefits of the large portrait-style screen is that while the climate controls have become digital, they’re always visible rather than being buried in a sub menu, so making those frequent fine adjustments – temperature, fan speed, recirculation – is still a one-tap process.

Wireless smartphone mirroring (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) is standard, as is wireless charging along with satellite navigation, digital radio and Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 looks initially familiar, but the addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system brings both improved performance and economy.

Outputs are up to 190kW/400Nm, though an overboost function can supply 210kW for short bursts and the hybrid system’s ISG (Integrated Starter Generator) can add another 17kW/200Nm in certain circumstances.

As a result, the claimed 0-100km/h time is a sharp 6.2sec.

The GLC 300 drives through a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC four-wheel drive system.

The other benefit of the mild-hybrid system in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is a 0.5L/100km improvement in fuel economy, the official combined-cycle claim now 7.7L/100km.

This is aided by the new GLC’s relatively slippery 0.29Cd drag coefficient.

A firm press of the accelerator is all it takes for the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 to make a positive first impression.

Adding mild-hybrid assistance has really pepped up Merc’s other engines – the V8 and inline-six have had it for some time – and the four-cylinder is no exception.

In addition to its fuel-saving capabilities, the electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission improves response, fills in any gaps in the engine’s power curve and generally makes it feel really strong.

The hot hatch-baiting 0-100km/h acceleration claim of 6.2sec in a 1895kg SUV is evidence that the GLC’s 2.0-litre turbo-four can punch harder than its (still impressive) outputs suggest.

The launch drive route consisted almost exclusively of sweeping, 100km/h country roads so unfortunately we can’t comment on the stop-start behaviour of the nine-speed auto gearbox. But experience with the C-Class et al suggests there should be few complaints. We’ll report back when we’ve had a more extensive drive.

When it comes to corners, the GLC continues to impress. Quick and very nicely weighted steering controlling a chassis with excellent grip and balance – combined with the punchy engine – makes the GLC a pleasure to drive on the sort of rolling country backroads the launch drive encompassed.

The one question mark surrounding the GLC’s driving experience is the ride quality. It isn’t too firm in the sense that it’ll rattle your teeth or anything like that, but on poor roads there’s a degree of shimmy over bumps and it can feel slightly unsettled.

It’s nothing too untoward in and of itself, more that it’s not ideal behaviour in a car that’s pitched as premium and luxury.

Mercedes-Benz cars have traditionally benefited quite a lot from adaptive suspension and the suspicion is that the GLC is no different, as the models we drove on the international launch, equipped with adaptive air suspension, did display a bit of jiggle but were otherwise impressively composed.

Sadly, air suspension isn’t available even as an option on Aussie GLCs. Again, a definitive verdict will have to wait for a more comprehensive drive, but its urban comfort is probably less affected.

Translation: day-to-day driving is likely to be still pretty comfortable.

We wouldn’t recommend you head too far beyond a tarmac road in the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC.

However, one of the new additions for this latest generation is an off-road mode, which can display the car’s roll and pitch angles, altitude and a compass if you’d prefer to navigate the old-school way.

Part of this mode is what Mercedes calls a ‘transparent bonnet’. The front cameras display an image on the central screen that allows the driver to see any obstructions directly in front of the vehicle or the front wheels.

Up front, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is seriously glamorous. Those huge digital screens, the proper AMG steering wheel (though haptic controls still aren’t our favourites), the extended leather surfacing, the doors, dash and snazzy air vents bathed in ambient lighting… it justifies the price tag.

Move back a row and the experience isn’t quite so dazzling. No complaints with the amount of room – though those people north of 6ft might struggle with headroom due to the sunroof – but some scratchy plastics are present and it’s very light on creature comforts.

Air vents and a couple of cup holders in the fold-down centre arm rest is all it can offer, with no separate temperature controls or even USB charging ports.

It feels a bit mean when you’re spending well north of $100,000.

The GLC does redeem itself somewhat when you open the tailgate. The new-generation model is 60mm longer than its predecessor, with most of that dedicated to boot space.

As such, it offers a hefty 620 litres of space, and with the 40/20/40-split rear seats folded the load area extends to more than 1.8m long.

The answer to this question is a complicated one. If you’re in the market for a premium mid-size SUV there are other options that, while not as bang up-to-date as the box-fresh 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC, are much, much cheaper.

But this perhaps misses the point. The overriding impression after a day in the new GLC 300 is that it feels tailor-made to appeal to owners of the first generation, who I suspect will trade-up in droves.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has plenty to commend it and deserves to be on your shopping list if you’re looking around the segment.

If you’re a current GLC owner thinking about upgrading, be warned: chances are you’ll be driving away in the new version.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC at a glance:
Price: $103,370 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 190kW/400Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 175g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)