INNSBRUCK, Austria – The Mercedes-Benz GLC has been a frontrunner within the compact luxurious SUV class because it was initially referred to as the GLK. For 2023, the GLC-Class obtained a full redesign, but it surely appears extra like a big refresh on the floor. Mercedes-Benz barely moved the needle between generations, however since its predecessor remained on the high of its sport, maybe an evolution was all it wanted.
The 2024 mannequin yr sees that full redesign utilized to the GLC Coupe physique type (the previous-generation Coupe lived alongside the brand new “long-roof” SUV for 2023). As is the case with the SUV, the variations between previous and new are delicate with the Coupe. The headlights and air intakes up entrance are barely reshaped, and the tail is a bit much less bulbous and contains a extra outstanding flip-up spoiler. Whereas these modifications are very slight, the brand new, extra angular rear finish undoubtedly works higher.
Beneath the hood of the GLC 300 4Matic Coupe is similar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 48-volt gentle hybrid present in the usual GLC. It is good for 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automated transmission routes energy to all 4 wheels. Mercedes claims it can speed up to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which is only a bit slower than the BMW X4 xDrive30i (6.0 seconds) and Audi Q5 Sportback (5.7).
We test-drove a European-spec GLC Coupe amongst the epic surroundings of the Tyrolian Alps surrounding Innsbruck, Austria. Our take a look at automobile got here with an adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering, each of which is not going to be provided in the USA (at the least for the primary mannequin yr). In line with Mercedes, the American-spec suspension is tuned equally to the default consolation setting within the air suspension. Information editor Joel Stocksdale was none too comfortable in regards to the ensuing journey when driving a GLC SUV with 20-inch wheels in Michigan, however with a special suspension and pavement right here in Austria, there’s nothing to actually add or replace at the moment.
Energy is greater than sufficient when attending to freeway speeds, even on the quick Austrian merge lanes. Shifts are moderately easy, although the engine groans moderately loudly beneath acceleration. As soon as up to the mark, the cabin stays pleasantly quiet. At 80 mph, highway and wind noise are barely detectable. Dealing with can be greater than sufficient, however not what one would contemplate athletic. Physique roll is nicely managed, and the GLC Coupe feels reassuringly planted to the highway. We totally count on some sportier AMG variants within the coming years, however for many drivers, this base mannequin is loads succesful.
Charging laborious into the hairpin switchbacks, the GLC Coupe consists beneath tougher braking, although nosedive is outstanding. Steering effort is suitable because the small SUV pitches into the flip and precisely traces by your supposed arc. Step again into the throttle, and the GLC settles properly again into a gradual state with no drama. As succesful as it’s, the GLC 300 does not encourage sporty driving the way in which a BMW equal would possibly. That factors to Mercedes’ core strengths of consolation and refinement, and so they have clearly served the GLC nicely.
Extra vital modifications will be discovered inside the brand new GLC Coupe. As with the earlier era, the inside design is almost an identical to the C-Class sedan. It contains a swooping waterfall sprint that cascades gracefully to mix into the middle console. Ours has a shiny carbon fiber floor that appears applicable for future AMG variants. For the much less sporty fashions just like the GLC 300, the pure wooden remedies work higher for a hotter and extra luxurious cabin.
Mounted smack-dab in the midst of the sprint is a big, tablet-like 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. It could be greater than the earlier era’s, but it surely’s additionally decrease on the sprint and farther from the driving force’s pure sightlines. Which means it is extra distracting to make use of and is compounded by way of fewer bodily buttons. What buttons stay are a mixture of push and capacitive-touch (or each), however they’re not as straightforward to make use of as the normal switches or buttons discovered within the earlier era GLC. To Mercedes’ credit score, its “zero layer” display screen structure retains the local weather and audio controls on the backside of the show for simpler and extra constant entry.
A horizontal digital instrument panel is completely positioned behind the steering wheel and an elective head-up show tasks helpful info onto the windshield. Contemplating the infotainment display screen’s placement, getting the head-up show is really useful for its much less distracting navigation prompts. On the entire, the infotainment system is well-organized and simple to make use of. It additionally options the perfect voice controls within the {industry} that would assist alleviate looking out by menus for a setting adjustment.
Supplies high quality is great for the category, and it is troublesome to inform what’s real leather-based and what’s an artificial substitute. The piano black middle console will be swapped out for varied wooden trims and match the dashboard should you so select. Beneath all of it, the cabin has a sturdy construction that feels substantial, and there weren’t any creaks.
The entrance seats are generously cushioned for long-distance consolation and over many hours on the highway, we by no means felt any laborious factors. They arrive normal with heating, and air flow is obtainable as an possibility. A therapeutic massage perform shouldn’t be out there. The Coupe’s rear seats can comfortably accommodate grownup passengers with sufficient headroom and legroom. It is clearly not as spacious as the usual GLC, and people passengers could really feel a bit closed in with the smaller home windows, however they nonetheless provide extra room than anticipated.
Behind the rear seats, Mercedes says the GLC Coupe holds as much as 19.2 cubic ft of cargo. That is a rise of 1.6 cu ft over the earlier era and solely 2.7 cu ft smaller than the usual GLC. It is price noting that these are measured solely to the underside of the rear window, to not the roof as most different producers do – and explains why the GLC would appear to have a lot much less cargo area than rival SUVs (we’ve seen this performed out in the actual world in our baggage take a look at of the last-generation GLC). Both means, the capability must be sufficient for a {couples}’ weekend getaway or for smaller households. The rear window is way smaller within the coupe, leaving a really restricted rearward view. For that reason, we advise including the surround-view digital camera system to make it simpler to maneuver into smaller parking spots.
As is the case with the usual GLC, this 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe is marginally higher in lots of areas, a bit worse in others and, on the whole, does not alter its profitable components of consolation and luxurious over efficiency. Fortunately, the brand new GLC Coupe appears to barely scale back the area and flexibility compromises inherent to “coupe-like” SUVs, however that doesn’t imply we’re prepared to totally embrace the idea. And we’re not alone – the industry-wide gross sales combine skews closely towards the SUV physique type when a “coupe” sibling is obtainable.
The absence of extra vital enhancements opens the chance for rivals to overhaul the GLC’s class-leading place (in the event that they haven’t already), and the inside controls/infotainment display screen may symbolize dealbreakers for some. Skipping huge wheels appears prudent, too. As for the Coupe particularly, we might contemplate ready till Mercedes rolls out a higher-performing AMG variant to match its sportier silhouette, however that might be for an excellent smaller viewers.
