LIKES
- Great looks
- AMG’s unbridled performance
- Comfortable ride and interior
- Good rear seat room
- Good active safety features
DISLIKES
- Top prices approach $100,000
- Compromised outward vision in coupes
- Small rear doors in coupes
BUYING TIP
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class can be a soothing urban oasis—or a roaring twin-turbo V-8 track star. It’s your call.
What kind of car is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class? What does it compare to?
The 2021 GLC is Mercedes-Benz’ mid-size, five-seat crossover SUV. It’s lathered in luxury fittings and can scald the road when it’s configured to AMG-spec. It compares with the BMW X3, Audi X5, and Volvo XC60, among others.
Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class a good car?
It ranges from very good to exceptional. We give it a TCC Rating of 7.0 based on the GLC300 4Matic SUV, but different versions would score higher in performance and styling—and lower in gas mileage.
What’s new for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class?
The GLC SUV now gets keyless start standard, while both the SUV and Coupe get active park assist standard. AMG models get parking sensors with active park assist standard.
Performance issues from a 255-horsepower turbo-4 in the GLC300, from a 385-hp twin-turbo V-6 in the GLC43 AMG, and from a 469-hp or 503-hp twin-turbo V-8 in the GLC63 AMG. The GLC doesn’t take more than about six seconds to reach 60 mph, and AMGs take as little as 3.8 seconds. The GLC’s 9-speed automatic gets dizzy with choice sometimes, but almost-universal all-wheel drive manages its grip to ISO9001 standards, while the adaptive air suspensions of AMG editions endow the crossover with uncanny grip to match their unreal acceleration.
The GLC’s one of the larger vehicles in its class, and five adults can fit, though more than four will be the subject of idle gossip. Coupes have lower rooflines and less cargo space, but even they still sport nearly 50 cubic feet of cargo room behind the front seats.
Crash-test data is incomplete, but all signs are good—and the GLC comes with standard blind-spot monitors and automatic emergency braking.
How much does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class cost?
The $43,250 GLC300 offers 18-inch wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, and a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a spiffy MBUX interface with good voice-command control. The high-$50,000s GLC43 AMG would be our pick—but we won’t rat you out if you pick the lascivious $74,950 GLC63 AMG and go all-in on the options.
Where is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class made?
It’s assembled in Germany.
Styling
The GLC-Class cuts a fine look—finer on the inside, we think.
Is the Mercedes GLC a good-looking car?
We think so. The GLC-Class slips a couture look over its crossover running gear, to fabulous effect. The interior’s dressy, the exterior classy. It’s an 8 here, with a point extra for the body and two extra for the cabin.
The GLC comes in either SUV or “Coupe” shapes. The former’s in fine fettle; the latter’s taking a little too much liberty with the word, but whatever—it’s the better-looking of the two.
While the body has an overplayed detail or two, the cabin walks a very, very fine line between exuberant and overwrought. It wins out with glam touches that play across the dash with a band of wood trim and a wide-format touchscreen and round air vents trimmed in bright metallic plastic. It’s busier than a Volvo interior by a magnitude, but it’s warm and welcoming in its own way, though the carbon-fiber and red-leather AMG interior trips over the good-taste guy wire.
Performance
GLC300s are above-average performers; AMG models are scorchers.
The GLC slaps down power discreetly in its turbo-4 models, but AMG versions make no attempt to hide their power or their grip. Count us in—and put it down for a 7 for performance, based on the mildest GLC300.
How fast is the Mercedes GLC?
It’s pretty fast even as a base model. That Coupe or SUV adopts the latest Benz 2.0-liter turbo-4, now rated at 255 hp and teamed with a 9-speed automatic. The engine’s somewhat coarse note under full acceleration goes away quickly at cruising speeds; it’s hard to complain when even the standard model hits 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, though the 9-speed’s occasional confusion might benefit from the algorithmic equivalent of an espresso to clear its head.
But it doesn’t have to. On the road, the GLC300 has a lovely sense of composure that comes from an independent suspension with good damping and compliant springs; the available air suspension and air dampers only add to the resilience.
There’s an exceedingly rare plug-in hybrid spun from this version, but we haven’t driven it.
AMG GLC43 and GLC63 performance
Stuff a 469-hp or 503-hp twin-turbo V-8 under the hood, and the GLC63 AMG slingshots to 60 mph in about 3.8 seconds and up to a top speed of 174 mph. Flick it into the exclusive Race drive mode and into one of its performance programs—Basic, Advanced, Pro, and Master—and the GLC63 AMG can control all its vital systems, from throttle response to shift patterns and steering behavior. It’s a car with uncanny power and unflappable poise.
Comfort & Quality
The GLC’s comfort stems from its plus size; the beauty comes from the top shelf.
Four adults fit well in the Mercedes GLC, and the interior’s upholstered with an extra bolt of class. We give it an 8 here, with points for its cargo space, front seats, and general finery.
The GLC’s roomy because it’s one of the larger vehicles in its luxury niche. But it’s soothing to drive because no matter which model you choose, the seats have lots of adjustment and support, even in the GLC300. AMG editions have firmer seats that cinch in tight, but we get into their grip. Synthetic leather comes standard, and so do heating and power adjustment in front, but Mercedes will wrap the GLC cabin in leather, will cool the fronts and heat the back seats. Do all that, and choose some of the GLC’s lovely wood or metallic trims, and the atmosphere’s even richer, with glints of glam—or big swatches of red leather, in some AMGs.
We’d opt into a GLE or a GLS if we had to carry five adults on a regular basis, but the GLC does OK. The rear seat’s blessed with enough space for reasonable comfort—and plenty of room for two adults of just about any size. Leg room’s adequate even for 6-footers sitting behind 6-footers.
Safety
The NHTSA hasn’t checked in, but the GLC scores highly for safety nonetheless.
How safe is the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
With only IIHS crash-test scores to its credit, the 2021 GLC-Class earns a score of 7 here.
The IIHS gives it a Top Safety Pick award, but only applies it to vehicles with the optional adaptive LED headlights. Other models’ headlights are dubbed “Poor.”
Every GLC comes with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitors. Active park assist now comes standard as well. On the options list, Mercedes bundles adaptive cruise control, active lane control, lane-change assist, and other safety features. It also sells a surround-view camera system and a head-up display. We’d recommend the extra dose of safety technology, since the GLC’s roof pillars create big blind spots, especially in the Coupe model.
Features
The GLC-Class’ relatively humble base price soars in AMG trim.
The 2021 GLC-Class offers two drive configurations, three kinds of power, and all kinds of features. It’s well stocked in base versions, has a long options list and a good infotainment system. It’s an 8 here.
The $43,250 GLC300 has synthetic leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, heated power front seats, and a power liftgate. This year the GLC SUV adds standard keyless start, while both the SUV and Coupe get active park assist standard.
Mercedes’ new MBUX interface runs via touchpad, touchscreen, or steering wheel controls, gesture controls, or internet-connected voice commands.
Which Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class should I buy?
We like the step-up GLC43 AMG, which adds on standard all-wheel drive, 20-inch wheels, AMG-tuned suspension and graphic interfaces, and a price tag in the high $50,000s. This year the AMG models get parking sensors with active park assist standard.
How much is a fully loaded Mercedes GLC?
Fuel Economy
The GLC's gas mileage is average.
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class good on gas?
It’s average for its class. With a wide range of models in the lineup, we assign a score of 4 to the GLC here based on the most popular model, the GLC SUV with the turbo-4 engine.
The EPA scores that model at 22 mpg city, 29 highway, 25 combined with rear-wheel drive, and 21/28/23 mpg with all-wheel drive. The AWD Coupe’s rated at 22/28/24 mpg.
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