Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class 2015 Review

Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d 4MATIC, GLC 250 4MATIC and GLC 250 d 4MATIC
Local Launch Review
Coldstream, Victoria

It's the first time Mercedes-Benz has offered its competitor to the Audi Q5 in right-hand drive, its new C-Class-based SUV range entering an important and popular segment in the Australian new car market. Priced from $64,500 (plus on-road costs), the five-seat GLC range offers two diesels and a lone petrol engine, each mated to a nine-speed auto and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive. Technology and safety are of a high standard in even the entry model, while cleverly bundled option packages take the guesswork out of personalising your purchase. The GLC range is on sale now.

You don't have to be an automotive enthusiast to appreciate how popular the SUV has become. Drop the kids off to school and I guarantee the SUV will outnumber traditional family sedans and wagons ten to one.

It's also obvious that Australians prefer a 'badge' on the front of their vehicle. After all, a German luxury marque speaks volumes of one's status...

Combine these two considerations – as mordant as they may sound – and it's pretty obvious the five-seat Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is an exacting fit to the (smaller) family fold. It's the right size, the right price and it wears the right badge.

It's also very well equipped – both in terms of infotainment and safety technology – in its standard form. No, it isn't the most affordable luxury SUV in its class, but it is the best equipped. And therein lies the rub. Shop the GLE on price and you're basically kidding yourself. This is a vehicle that currently provides more 'everything' than its contemporaries, and is very well finished to boot.

Okay, so there's a fair amount of black plastic. But it is soft to the touch and is complemented tastefully by corresponding Black Ash panelling and contrasting brushed aluminium garnishes. Not to mention swathes of ARTICO or leather upholstery (the latter offered on GLC 250 and GLC 250 d variants as standard).

Mercedes says it aimed for a sporty (read: darker) theme in the GLC cabin, and we have to agree. But as shadowy as it may appear, there's no denying it's well assembled. The attention to detail within is impressive. I tend to get a little 'OCD' on cabin quality, and to step in and out of the GLC without so nary a twitch means fit and finish is as it should be – let's just forget about the reflection from the HUD projector surround on the windscreen, shall we?

The ride is quiet. I'd say QUIET but there's really no need to shout. It's also a far more settled vehicle on-road than the GLE-Class we sampled recently. The GLC presents almost as the antithesis of its larger sibling dynamically, with a composed attitude in corners and fluid, well-weighted steering.

On the downside, the ride is a little brusque on hard-edged bumps. Even on the smaller 19-inch wheel of the GLC 200 d the initial impact is rather firm. Fortunately the overall compliance is better, the GLC improving as the frequency of bumps softens. It's not an unexpected compromise, but one we feel would be better served by the availability of an 18-inch wheel.

Curiously, there didn't seem to be a concession (nor an improvement) in ride quality when optioning the AMG Line's sport suspension, the GLC demonstrating better body control and not any further deterioration of ride quality. The front-end feels better supported in hard cornering in the AMG-equipped model, though we wager all will feel equal once air suspension is offered as an option ($2490) from early in the New Year.

We found the GLC's brake pedal stroke to be well modulated with appropriate levels of assistance. Braking capacity is athletic and the action predictable, even after repeated hard stops. The throttle is likewise well matched to the GLC's intended purpose, enabling kilometre-per-hour precision when varying speeds between zones.

The 2.1-litre turbo-diesel engines offered in the 220 d and 250 d variants are arguably a sweeter match than the 250 (petrol). We found both diesels content to be driven on their respective torque bands, allowing the nine-speed automatic to negotiate road speed as required.

For the 220 d (from $64,500 plus ORCs) we find 124kW and 400Nm promising 0-100km/h times of 8.3sec. Mercedes says the model should achieve 5.6L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle and emit 146g/km of CO2. The high-spec 250 d (from $69,990 plus ORCs) gives 150kW and 500Nm, or enough to hit triple digits in 7.6sec. The higher performance diesel is said to use 5.7L/100km and emit 149g/km.

Petrol fans currently have only one option in the GLC-Class, the mid-range 250 (from $67,990 plus ORCs). Powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder it develops 155kW and 350Nm. The model is said to consume 7.2L/100km of 95-98 RON PULP and emits 168g/km.

We found the engine is peakier that the diesel units, and a little more vocal when pushed. It needs more gear changes more often to maintain similar road speeds, however, it's also appreciably faster in the sprint to 100km/h, Mercedes listing 7.3sec.

All GLC variants are fitted with idle-stop technology, a space saver spare wheel and Mercedes' 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system. The system splits drive 45:55 (front-to-rear) in 220 d and 250 variants, shifting to 31:69 in the 250 d. It's a difference you don't tend to notice unless driving particularly hard out of corners.

Mercedes-Benz also offer a more off-road focussed all-wheel drive system (not tested) as part of a its Offroad Engineering Package ($3990 on 220 d / $3490 on 250 and 250 d). The system includes a five-mode drive selector, 19-inch alloys, AIRBODY CONTROL suspension, hill-descent control, off-road light function (which adds six degrees to the headlight beam and three additional watts of power), off-road exterior and a sump shield.

Size wise, the GLC changes little from the C-Class Estate on which it's based. There's an obvious height difference (+180mm), and the body is shorter overall (-40mm to 4656mm). But at 1735kg (kerb weight) is heavier than the equivalent C-Class by 75kg. It also gains a little in terms of rear-seat space (+60mm height / +30mm legroom / +20mm shoulder-room).

Testing a model equipped with a sunroof I found rear-seat headroom a little tight towards the outboard edge. The seats are otherwise generously proportioned and split 40:20:40 to expand the cargo area from an X3-equalling 550 litres to 1600.

Up front the seats are generously proportioned and comfortable in either trim. If I was picky I'd say the cushion could want for a little more thigh support, though the squab, lumbar and bolsters all offer excellent support. The driving position is commanding, as you'd no doubt expect, and adjustable through the usual ranges.

From a visibility standpoint the A pillar is a little thick, and the tapering rear-end does limit rearward vision to a degree. That said the 360-degree reversing camera covers any shortfall, and with the multitude of sensors and parking aids (Park Assist is standard across the range) the GLA is a cinch to squeeze into narrow parking spots.

The reversing camera system forms part of a comprehensive standard infotainment system which includes satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring technology. The base system is upgraded to Mercedes' COMAND array on '250' variants. All commands (ha!) can be controlled via a neat control pod on the centre console, by voice, or via steering wheel-mounted buttons.

As a prestige SUV that delivers on all it promises, the GLC-Class will give its rivals something to worry about. It's a confident and charismatic vehicle that manages to convey a sense of quality sometimes lacking in this segment. For a smaller family, a couple or even the young urban professional, the GLC is a very compatible option.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d pricing and specifications:
Price: $64,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 124kW/400Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 146g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 pricing and specifications:
Price: $67,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 155kW/350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 168g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 d pricing and specifications:
Price: $69,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 150kW/500Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 149g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

Also consider:
>> Audi Q5  (from $63,210 plus ORCs)
>> BMW X3 (from $61,100 plus ORCs)
>> Land Rover Discovery Sport (from $55,800 plus ORCs)