New Mercedes-Benz GLC: Australian pricing and specs

The new-generation 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC will arrive Down Under in just one guise from June, with the GLC 300 4MATIC priced at $104,900 plus on-road costs.

That figure marks an increase of more than $12,000 over the previous GLC 300 (from $92,300), which formed the backbone of Mercedes-Benz Australia’s top-selling model line and this country’s favourite mid-size luxury SUV range.

However, Mercedes-Benz says the extra outlay is justified by the new GLC’s bigger body, mountain of extra standard equipment and more advanced technologies.

Decked-out in the stylish AMG Line Exterior and Interior packs as standard, the new GLC’s more prestige positioning is clear to see from its more aerodynamic body, body-coloured wheel-arches, 20-inch AMG-Line alloys and beefier front brakes.

Hiding under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine developing 190kW/400Nm with the help of a new-generation 48V integrated starter generator (ISG) that can temporarily contribute an extra 17kW/200Nm during hard acceleration.

The ISG is an integral part of the GLC 300’s mild-hybrid system, which along with the slipperier new body’s low 0.29Cd drag coefficient helps trim combined fuel consumption from 8.2 to 7.7L/100km.

All-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission are standard for all Australian GLC 300s and the powertrain launches the premium mid-size SUV to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds.

The sleek exterior is matched by a “radically overhauled” cabin, where occupants will be greeted by a new 11.9-inch portrait-style MBUX infotainment interface that now contains many of the functions previously accessed via physical buttons or dials around the dash.

“This intuitive interface replaces a number of legacy controllers and switchgear, resulting in an impressively minimal cockpit ambience beset with high-quality materials such as ARTICO seats, upper dash and door linings; wood grain dashboard trim; and an elegant piano black finish for the centre console,” said Mercedes-Benz Australia today.

Other standard equipment highlights include wireless smartphone mirroring and charging, powered tailgate, panoramic glass sunroof, head-up display, heated and power-adjustable front seats with memory function, metallic paint, off-road driving mode and a ‘transparent bonnet’ to help negotiate rough terrain.

This enhanced level of standard equipment leaves just three optional extras for the new GLC 300: MANUFAKTUR prestige paint, an alternative alloy wheel design and the $6900 Plus Package.

The latter adds MBUX Augmented Reality for the sat-nav, GUARD 360° Vehicle Protection Plus, a Burmester 3D surround sound system, heat and noise-insulating acoustic glass, DIGITAL LIGHT, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus and other extra driver aids.

As usual for the mid-size SUV segment, the GLC 300 offers two rows of seating, but thanks to its bigger proportions boot space has been upped 50 litres to 620L. But while the 40:20:40-split back seats do fold flat, Mercedes hasn’t confirmed how much space is on offer with the second row stowed.

Odds are a more affordable GLC wagon variant will be offered at some stage, but Coupe and AMG variants and likely to be the next new derivatives to arrive.

How much does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC cost?
300 4MATIC – $104,900
* Pricing excludes on-road costs

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au