The new Mercedes GLC combines interior space and the running costs of a large hatchback with the desirable raised seating position and image boost of an SUV, says Pierre Fava.
When Mercedes-Benz launched the GLK around seven years ago, the car was never engineered to be manufactured in a RHD version and as a result, Mercedes lost out on sales to other cars coming from premium brands such as Audi, Range Rover and BMW.
As a result, these car marques have practically dominated the mid-size SUV segment with some interruption coming from the Volvo XC60.
With the new GLC, Mercedes have made it a point to come into this segment with a bang, making a bold statement with a car that has the wow factor in abundance. It is arguably the sweetest-looking of Mercedes’ SUVs. It carries less visual weight than the GLE and its neatness is instantly easier on the eye.
The GLC is a very important launch for Mercedes and, as with other models, the brand continues with its strategic direction to not only attract established buyers but to also bring in new, younger and trendy buyers. Not only does this new SUV make a statement with its styling language, but its build quality and finish are impressive to say the least. The GLC looks pretty from every angle and one cannot find fault with the way the design engineers have managed to interpret and develop the modern design philosophy Mercedes have created across the updated product range on offer.
The GLC is based on the C Class but this is where the resemblance ends. And while the GLC’s ride is very similar to that of a normal car, it nonetheless is a very capable car both in town and out on the open road, on- or off-road alike. The bright and modern interior space seats five adults in comfort and the boot can cope with enough luggage one would need when travelling overland; 550 litres to be precise. This will increase to 1,600 litres with the smart rear seats folded down.
With the new GLC, the wow factor is key. The interior looks and feels very special having a modern yet classical design. It is clearly evident that Mercedes’ engineers saved no expense in making sure that nothing but the best modern day materials are used. The seats are extremely comfortable and supportive – the test car was equipped with an AMG interior trim which added style in abundance. The use of piano black polished materials together with brushed aluminium elements make the interior a very nice place to be in.
One realises that Mercedes has put a lot of effort and time into turning the GLC into a car that offers a great driving experience
As with many modern cars, the GLC boasts of a large LED screen which sits on top of the centre of the dashboard. This provides all the visual cues for the info-tainment system while a smaller screen, situated between the dash dials, gives you the required information about the Dynamic Drive System and selected drive option. The rest of the dashboard is rather minimalist, with very few switches. This makes the car very easy to drive.
Mercedes has put a lot of effort and time into turning the GLC into a car that offers a great driving experience. The high ride height gives you a sense of sturdy control, yet at the same time, it gives the driver the pleasure and satisfaction that you would get from driving any similarly-sized sports sedan.
There are various engines on offer but the 2.2 diesel power plant fitted to the test car shall definitely be the most popular engine for the local market. It offers 170bhp and 400nm of torque at very low revs. This is coupled to the brand new nine-speed electronic dual clutch automatic transmission which has the shifter mounted on the steering column and the option of paddle shifters for those looking for a much sportier drive. All this with a CO2 output as low as 129g/km which, for a car offering the build quality and road safety of this level, is a very conservative number.
The dynamic Drive System offers different options which change the driving dynamics at the switch of a button. Changing from Comfort to Sport gives the driver more power, faster gear changes and harder damping. There are also two other options, Individual and Sport Plus for the more discerning driver. The steering turn circle is very compact, giving the car loads of manoeuvrability. This together with the supportive seats and cockpit-style driving position results in a very sporty feel combined with loads of comfort, even after long drives.
As already mentioned, the GLC on test was fitted with an AMG kit, both inside and out, and this gave the car plenty of extra character and added road presence. The car was also equipped with 19” alloy wheels, which although fitted with very low profile tyres, still provided excellent ride quality and a smooth drive even over our uneven and bumpy roads.
The power plant combined with the automatic transmission provides smooth upshifts that never strain the engine, which in turn helps in keeping noise inside the cabin at very low levels.
There is a long list of standard equipment fitted to the car and with a starting price of just over €55,000 (including a five-year service plan), the GLC shall appeal to any driver looking to purchase something special, making a statement of style and taste that is second to none. And if the standard list is not enough, one can specify extras from a very long list of options which would produce a car as individual as its driver.