- Behind similar styling, the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC is bigger than its predecessor.
- Mercedes says the new MBUX infotainment interface is quicker and smarter.
- A turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with a 48-volt hybrid system will be the only U.S. powertrain option at first.
Where the Mercedes C-class leads, the GLC crossover follows. Given the close relationship between the two cars, which sit on the same platform and share the same powertrain, it's no surprise that the new GLC that you see here features most of the same technical innovations as its sedan sibling.
Not that we were expecting anything radical. The previous-generation GLC sold well for most of its life thanks to its entirely predictable combination of the typical Benz virtues of handsome design and peppy performance. The styling of the all-new version has evolved so gently that we suspect many will struggle to spot the generational shift; reshaped headlights frame a single horizontal metal strip on the radiator grille, where the outgoing version had two, while the narrower taillights are the giveaway at the back.
Dimensions have expanded slightly. The new GLC is now 185.7 inches long, making it 2.4 inches longer than its predecessor. The wheelbase has also expanded by 0.6 inch to 113.7 inches. Passenger accommodation is barely changed, with Mercedes claiming that rear legroom has increased by 0.1 inch. The most obvious result of the growth is a useful increase in luggage capacity, with the new car's 22 cubic feet being 3 cubic feet more than the last one.
The new GLC300 that will be offered in the U.S. initially will have a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine working in conjunction with a 48-volt hybrid system through an integrated starter-generator. Similar to the C300 sedan, this engine delivers peaks of 258 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque and drives a standard nine-speed automatic gearbox. The only significant driveline choice that buyers of the new car will need to make is whether or not to go for the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system; by Mercedes's claims, both versions are capable of identical 6.2-second sprints to 60 mph (we ran the previous-generation AWD GLC300 through the benchmark in a more impressive 5.4 seconds). Future versions will likely include both AMG 53 and 63 variants, although both of these will use hybridized four-cylinder engines. Mercedes confirms a plug-in-hybrid powertrain will also be offered in the U.S. eventually.
More substantive changes are found inside the cabin, with the new GLC moving to Mercedes's new MBUX infotainment system. This uses twin digital displays, an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented central touchscreen (angled slightly toward the driver) and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. MBUX supports high-level voice inputs plus the option of an augmented-reality navigation system that superimposes instructions on a live video feed to show you exactly where to go. We are mildly disappointed, although not surprised, that the GLC will follow the S-class and C-class in ditching both physical HVAC controls for touch-sensitive panels and that it also lacks a physical volume knob.
Other high-tech functions include a Mercedes's Level 2 Drive Pilot driver-assistance system, standard LED headlights, and a 360-degree camera system that includes what is described as a "transparent hood," using cameras to deliver a view under the front of the vehicle to help with maneuvering of the sort of mild off-roading a GLC300 might encounter.
There is no word on pricing yet, but we anticipate the new GLC's increase in standard equipment will be reflected by an increase over the old car. It will begin reaching the U.S. in 2023.
This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class SUV is all-new for 2023. It looks familiar, but there are nice improvements in the cabin and under the hood. We expect pricing to start at about $44,000.
This year, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class enters a new generation alongside the mechanically similar C-Class sedan. Like the C-Class, the all-new GLC-Class looks awfully similar to the outgoing model it’s replacing. However, this new model of the popular compact luxury SUV is a little bigger, has a thoroughly new interior, and now comes standard with a turbocharged mild-hybrid engine that’s more powerful than the old GLC 300 without sacrificing fuel economy. As you might expect from a Mercedes-Benz, this compact SUV has a posh interior packed with modern tech features. Its main competitors are the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Pricing
We expect pricing for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class to start at about $44,000. That’s similar to this SUV’s chief rivals like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, which both go up to around $57,000.
Driving the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC
As of this writing, we haven’t been behind the wheel of the new GLC-Class. We’ll update this section as soon as we drive it.
Interior Comfort
The exterior may not look much different from its predecessor, but the interior upgrade of the new GLC-Class is significant. This well-crafted cabin continues the brand’s trend of producing some of the most elegant interiors in the business. The interior design is sophisticated, and the material quality is top-notch.
The copious technology in the GLC-Class is well-integrated with this luxurious interior. The large MBUX infotainment system flows nicely into the center stack, and a digital gauge cluster is standard.
Seating space in the GLC-Class is pretty generous for an SUV this size. According to the interior dimensions, it still has roomy front seats and slightly roomier back seats than the outgoing GLC, which were already pretty adult-friendly.
The new GLC-Class has 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats, which is a notable improvement of 2.5 cubic feet compared to the outgoing model.
Exterior Styling
You’d be forgiven if you didn’t notice a big visual difference between the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the 2022 model it’s replacing. It looks similar, but when you notice the subtle upgrades, the 2023 model does look sleeker and more modern. It also gets a little bigger this year, yielding a bigger interior.
The AMG Line appearance package adds a sporty touch to this luxury SUV. It has sportier front and rear fascias, less chrome, a unique grille insert, and 19-inch wheels with staggered tires. It also introduces more aesthetic options like special wheels and body-color wheel arches.
Although it’s a couple of inches longer than before, the GLC-Class is still in line with the rest of the compact luxury SUV class. Its dimensions are similar to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. Within the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup, it slots between the GLB and the GLE.
Favorite Features
MBUX INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
You can control this 11.9-inch infotainment system via touchscreen, steering wheel, or voice control. It activates when you say, “Hey Mercedes.” Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also come standard.
DRIVING ASSISTANCE PACKAGE
This option package bundles many helpful driver assistance tech features like the Distronic adaptive cruise control system, active steering assist with lane detection, traffic sign assist,
and more.
Standard Features
If the starting price of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class seems a little high, it makes more sense when you notice its impressive list of standard features.
Standard features in the base GLC 300 include LED headlights and taillights, remote start, ambient lighting, heated front seats with memory, a wireless charging pad, sunroof, power liftgate, 40/20/40 split/folding back seats, and a multi-function leather steering wheel.
The standard MBUX infotainment system uses an 11.9-inch touchscreen that can activate with voice control. It has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which lets you bring your maps, music, and more to the screen in the car without taking your phone out of your purse or pocket. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster also comes standard.
Standard safety tech features include blind-spot monitoring, attention assist, active brake assist, and the Pre-Safe system.
Factory Options
One of the most popular options for the GLC-Class is sure to be the 4Matic all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. When you add 4Matic, you get an off-road driving mode and hill-descent control. It also has a standard “transparent hood” feature, letting you see what the front wheels are doing on the MBUX screen.
There are many individual options and option packages available for the new GLC-Class. Some of the most notable include Parktronic with active parking assist, a surround-view system, panoramic sunroof, Burmester 3D Surround System audio, navigation with augmented video, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and SiriusXM.
If you can afford it, we recommend the Driver Assistance Package. This adds many desirable safety tech features like Distronic adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, active steering assist with lane detection, and more.
The AMG Line package may not add any exciting improvements to performance, but it does add a sporty appearance inside and out.
Engine & Transmission
Only one powertrain option has been announced so far for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It’s a 2.0-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-4. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system helps the engine achieve better performance and efficiency, but we don’t have official EPA fuel economy data yet. Thanks to the EQ Boost system, performance numbers are slightly improved compared to the outgoing GLC 300.
Mercedes-Benz says a plug-in hybrid variant of the GLC-Class is on the way, but we don’t know when it will join the lineup yet.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, and the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is optional. All GLC models use a 9-speed automatic transmission.
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
258 horsepower @ 5,800-6,100 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A
KBB Vehicle Review and Rating Methodology
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
More About How We Rate Vehicles