Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic SUV 2025 Review

Apart from the occasional limited run special edition the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 five-door five-seat medium premium SUV line-up is simplicity itself to understand.

The range starts with the $103,400 (plus on-road costs) GLC 300 SUV (wagon) we’re testing here, then climbs through the $115,200 (plus ORCs) sloped roof Coupe –five-door hatch – to the AMG 43 and 63 high-performance models. They top out north of $200,000 plus on-road costs.

So from the first generation when the non-AMG GLC range included diesels and PHEVs, it’s now been pared back to a single 190kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with 48v mild hybrid assistance permanently driving all four wheels (4Matic) via a nine-speed automatic transmission.

At the same time pricing has shot up – you could get a GLC for about $75,000 three years ago. But the Benz counter argument is there is lots more equipment now made standard. For instance, metallic paint is now standard.

The GLC 300 is more expensive than its traditional rivals the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 and both outsell it significantly. But they are both going through generational change and inevitably rising in price.

It’s also outsold by the Lexus NX, while the battery electric Tesla Model Y smashes them all.

So what equipment do you get in the GLC? Externally, the GLC is bigger (including 60mm longer) and very much an evolution of what came before. Key design signature are 20-inch alloy wheels, side steps, various AMG Line trimmings, aluminium roof rails, a giant sunroof and a power tailgate with a kick function.

Comfort features inside include artico (artificial leather) trimming for the seats and cabin, while Nappa leather is applied to the AMG steering wheel trim, powered and heated front seats with lumbar support, a powered steering column, 64-colur ambient lighting and dual-zone climate control.

A huge technology upgrade from the old car includes an 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a large head-up display in front of the driver. Android Auto and Apple Carplay connect wirelessly and there is also wireless smartphone charging. Satellite navigation is standard.

Standard safety includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, active lane keeping assist, tyre pressure monitoring (there is also an emergency spare wheel), nine airbags, traffic sign assist, LED headlights with adaptive assist and a 360 degree camera package that includes transparent bonnet to see what’s immediately ahead of you.

It is accessible through the off-road mode, although venturing beyond gravel or snow roads would not seem that appropriate.

A five-star ANCAP based on 2022 protocols includes very impressive crash performance ratings.

There are still significant options packaged up to tempt you. The $6900 Plus Package II includes a Burmester Surround Sound, augmented reality navigation and a higher level of driver assistance.

The GLC300 comes with a five-year unlimited warranty and 12 month and long 25,000km service intervals. So it’s going to be 12 months between workshop visits unless you’re doing extended journeys. The capped price servicing program comes out at as much as $1300 for each of five scheduled visits to the dealer, so it’s not cheap.

Like Mercedes-Benz overall in Australia, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has been struggling a bit to find buyers. To the end of November 2024 sales were off 18.5 per cent for the GLC 300 SUV. That’s very close to the 17.8 per cent decline of the brand overall.

Driving the GLC 300 it’s not really obvious why. This is a thoroughly likable and well calibrated vehicle that feels like it’s been assembled and honed expertly.

There’s no lagginess or lack of response about the engine thanks to the combination of an e-motor and turbocharging to assist the petrol engine. It even sounds good, although it is a fake note. Sport mode some urgency to the powertrain, notably the usually surreptitious auto. Manual shifting via plasticky paddles on the steering wheel provides extra control.

The primary driving highlight is the electro-mechanical steering, which is lightly direct at low speeds and pleasingly weighted as they rise. Overall, rolling on the ubiquitous MRA-2 platform used by a variety of rear and all-wheel drive Benz models, this is a secure rather than nimble handler.

Thankfully, there are no annoying bing-bongs, chastising, snatching at the steering wheel or scoring your driving out of five. Yes, there can be automated intrusions, but they are at the margins and easily switched off.

Which is another good thing: Easy access into what looks like an intimidatingly complex set of screens. Look, I’d prefer more hard buttons but at least the air-conditioning controls are displayed permanently on the centre screen and there are sensible shortcuts to other regularly needed things.

The screens also delivers outstanding clarity and pinch and zoom. MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), as Benz calls it, is one of the few auto manufacturer systems that can mount an argument for not bothering with smartphone mirroring.

As well as being great for tight manoeuvring, the various safety cameras are an entertaining show in their own right.

The GLC’s interior also does the more prosaic stuff. Having the gear selector on the steering column and the seat adjusters in the door are just plain good ideas. The former creates more storage space in the centre console (there’s heaps) and the latter is easier to access.

There are also 50 litres more boot space this time round at a generous 620 litres, growing to more than 1600 litres with the rear seats split-folded. The detail features such as the remote seat flippers and the security blind are appreciated.

The GLC is also a well-built and trimmed place. The materials throughout are high quality and it’s nice how many surfaces are soft to the touch.

Gotta say first up, the pricing of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is a challenge, especially in a year when cost of living has been a burning issue.

For many in the aspirational mortgaged-to-the-hilt audience that aspires to a GLC the financial burden may have simply proved too much.

Apart from that the GLC stands up pretty well, although there are issues to highlight.

A 7.7L/100km fuel economy rate is claimed but came out at 9.4L/100km on test using the recommended 95 RON fuel. That’s okay, not great.

The weakest point of the drive experience is the ride, which is a bit on the firm side without being obnoxiously harsh. It would be nice to drive this car on rubber with more sidewall and see if that improved things. Or what about some driver-adjustable shock absorbers? That doesn’t seem too much to ask for at $100K-plus.

At least the big tyres don’t transmit much noise into the cabin, which is an appropriately hushed $100K experience.

Rear seat passengers could do with some more amenities. Where are the USBs for example? And taller occupants will find themselves a little squeezed for keen space if the driver is also 180cm or more. The front seat headrests also make it all feel a bit claustrophobic back there.

The driver can also encounter a frustration here or there. The primary annoyance are the haptic buttons on the six-spoke steering wheel. Swipe in slightly the wrong direction and you can you find yourself navigating up an instrumentation blind alley.

And finally, something entirely subjective. Styling. As noted, the new GLC is very much an evolution of the old car externally. Couldn’t Benz have worked a little harder on creating some more differentiation?

Yep, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 does seem a little short on love from the buying public. For so many reasons it shouldn’t be; it drives well, it has great tech, strong safety and a nicely executed interior.

It feels like it’s been engineered, assembled and tuned by experts who care and not just as a tick the box exercise.

Yes, there are shortcomings in the design and execution but they don’t reduce its quality to the level of mediocrity.

No, the GLC 300’s primary problem is surely pricing. Charging more than $100,000 minimum for a medium SUV – even one as good as this one - is going to deter a percentage of your potential buying audience.

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 at a glance:
Price: $103,400 (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)

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