Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 2020 Review

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe is the epitome of ‘build it and they will come’.

Based on the regular Mercedes-Benz GLC platform, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe adopts a sharper sloping roofline and pinched proportions create a unique silhouette that sets it apart from Benz’s top selling SUV – but at what cost?

In 2019 Mercedes-Benz sold 5770 examples of the GLC. It was an improvement on 2018 sales and second only to the C-Class (6798 units) in the Mercedes-Benz line-up.  In 2019 Benz sold 1077 GLC Coupes – again, up on the previous years sales. Mercedes-Benz’s approach is working.

Yes. The GLC Coupe’s 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine is a good unit. It develops 190kW and 370Nm and is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels. It barrels along with great ease and is a perfect fit for this vehicles predominantly suburban life.

It’ll apparently move from 0-100km/h in 6.3sec. It tows 2400kg (braked), sips 98 RON premium petrol and the combined average fuel consumption is pitched at 8.1L/100km. I recorded an average closer to 12.0L.

It does seem that poor fuel economy is becoming a common trait of my driving style, but you can bet 80 per cent of drivers in my neighbourhood adopt the exact same short and sharp approach to their everyday commute.

Fuel economy is noted as important for new car buyers, but I do wonder how far beyond the showroom that concern lasts? A quick survey of a few mates suggest two in five don’t even know how to see what their average fuel consumption is, despite driving model year 2019 vehicles. Conversely, my mate who just traded in her 2005 Land Rover Discovery that was guzzling 23L/100km is acutely aware!

I think the turbo-diesel version is the pick of the bunch, but that’s talk of a different story.

Ride comfort is a highlight for the GLC, which strikes a balance between soft but with ample feedback. It’s a winning combination for suburban life that leans towards stop-start driving, poor road surfaces and tight parking spaces.

Switching through the drive modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport +) delivers a noticeable change to the suspension, engine response and steering feel. It’s genuinely fun and effortless to drive. Tick!

The GLC 300 Coupe’s interior is six-figure plush. The soft leather seats, chrome, wood grain, the sports steering wheel and the over the top dash design screams “I’ve got money”. The more conservative BMW and Audi owners would blush at such exhibitionism.

The 10.25-inch touch screen combines with a 12.3-inch customisable instrumentation cluster to bring all the technology to the party. Satellite navigation, digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Merc’s ‘Mercedes-Me’ voice recognition for full hands-free tech enjoyment – I think it’s one of the better on the market right now.

A great thing about the GLC’s tech interface is that you have some choice of how you operate the tech at hand – if you’re no dab hand at the touch-pad you can use the touch-screen, your multi-function wheel, voice control.

Of course you can individualise your screens as well as your cabin ambient lighting.

On top of the fancy finishes, there’s great oddment storage – a lidded armrest, cup holders, phone storage and large in door storage.

Mercedes-Benz has moved to fitting USBC charge outlets in their vehicles, so have your adaptors at the ready.

The GLC Coupe’s distinct shape is its defining feature. It feels and looks like the sportier GLC choice, one for families that don’t have as much gear or as many kids, perhaps?

The truth is the proportions aren’t that different. The GLC Coupe is a little lower (1639 v 1602mm tall) and a little longer (4669 v 4742mm long) but they ride on the same 2873mm wheelbase and the driver and front passenger will be none the wiser.

Except for rear vision problems – the small rear window and sloping rear quarter make it very hard to see anything out back. Good camera technology is a saving grace for the GLC Coupe.

Boot capacity sees the GLC Coupe down 50 litres (500 v 550 litres) and 200 litres (1400 v 1600 litres) when the second row of (40:20:40) seats are folded flat. Of greater concern will be the second-row headroom. Anyone nearing six-feet tall will be nudging the roof.

The second row is well appointed, with two (USBC) charge points, a 12-volt outlet, dual air vents, and seat back pockets. The armrest contains two cup holders and in door storage in generous. There’s plenty of leg and foot room (despite the transmission hump) and hard back seats are more child friendly than fabric ones.

The GLC 300 Coupe is priced from $89,900 (plus ORCs), over $10k more than the regular GLC on which it’s based. But, you do get more kit.

Above the standard offering, the GLC Coupe adds AMG interior details, sports pedals, sports steering wheel, adaptive dampers, tyre pressure monitoring, air suspension and AMG exterior pack. The side steps that are included look the business, but are not big enough to confidently place your foot. Instead, they were perfectly placed to bang my calf on exit. Every. Single. Time.

Options are in line with the GLC’s European competitors – pricey. Our test car is fitted with the Vision Package ($4600) that includes glass sunroof, head-up display with virtual image projection and Burmester surround system; the seat comfort package ($1300) which brings seat memory, heated seats and extra adjustability; Brilliant blue paint adds $1600, the black leather upholstery $2900 and the Night Package ($700) that includes 20-inch twin-spoke alloys in bi-colour and black design details.

Need I go on? Our optioned test vehicle moves beyond an asking price of over $100k!

The Mercedes-Benz GLC comes with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and service intervals are recommended at 25,000km or 12 months.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe defies the boxy SUV convention but retains all the goodness we’ve come to expect from the Mercedes-Benz GLC range. If you’re after something a little different (but not too different) the GLC Coupe feels like a pretty safe bet.

Price: $89,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 190kW/370Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 181g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP