2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63

The AMG GLC 63 is a performance-oriented SUV that is as agile as a small car and drives like one. It’s the perfect choice for someone who wants ample space in the vehicle along with the speed. The handcrafted AMG engine in the 63 is manufactured by the AMG division. This is the same engine that powers the AMG GT which is the epitome of Mercedes-Benz AMG house. You get the same level of power from this beauty.

There is a single trim that the GLC is offered in. It has an extensive list of features which are both performance and luxury. It's basically the best of both worlds in this mid-luxury SUV. The most notable features have been listed below in the table.

Trim	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63
MSRP (AWD)	$73,750
Key Features	Hand-made AMG 4.0L Twin Turbo V8
	AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive
	AMG Performance Braking System
	AMG Sport Exhaust System
	AMG instrumentation
	10.5-inch high-resolution central display
	Burmester Surround Sound system
	AMG menu with Race timer

Which trim to go for?

As there is a single trim option there isn’t any confusion regarding the trim selection. But the options list is extensive and add the extra dash of luxury to the vehicle. You will need to choose the options based on your personal ideas.

One thing that we cannot seem to stop talking about is the AMG division and their absolutely crazy engines. An SUV that houses almost 450 horses under the hood is crazy! No matter how many times you drive this monstrosity of a car, you’ll always be amazed. The engine feels happy whenever you step on the gas hard.

The transmission here is the 9-speed auto which is responsive and shifts with ease. The manual option feels excellent and gives you control over the entire drive. The previous 7-speed transmission that Mercedes rolled out previously did not have the kind of enthusiasm the new 9-speed does.

Models	Mercedes AMG GLC 63	BMW X3 M Competition	Porsche Macan Turbo	Jaguar F-Pace SVR
MSRP	$73,750	$76,900	$83,600	$80,600
Engine	4.0L Twin Turbo V8	3.0L Turbo Inline-6	2.9L Twin-Turbo V6	5.0L Supercharged V8
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD	AWD	AWD
Transmission	9-Speed Automatic	8-Speed STEPTRONIC	7-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
Power (hp @ rpm)	469@5,500	503@5,950	434@5,700	550@6,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)	479 @1,750	442@2,600	406@1,800	502@2,500

Surprisingly it's the Jaguar that produces the highest power out of this lot of SUVs. The Jag wins here as it has the biggest engine in this line-up. The BMW is a surprise here as it has a smaller engine but manages to produce more power than the Merc. BMW has taken the battle against the AMG division with its M-competition. The Porsche is outnumbered due to its smaller engine. I guess the engineers at Porsche should get a few pointers from the M engineers.

How fast is the AMG GLC 63?

Fast is an understatement when it comes to the kind of thrust the GLC accelerates with. Imagine stepping on the gas pedal and reaching the speed-limit in a blink of an eye. The neck-snapping speed is just pure fun.

The car is electronically limited to 155MPH which is not a problem honestly. For a vehicle with the size, proportions, and weight it is quick and agile.

Models	Mercedes AMG GLC 63	BMW X3 M Competition	Porsche Macan Turbo	Jaguar F-Pace SVR
0-60 MPH (sec)	3.8	4.0	4.1	4.1
Quarter Mile (sec)	N/A	11.6	12.4	N/A
Top Speed (MPH)	174	173	167	176
Engine	4.0L Twin Turbo V8	3.0L Turbo Inline 6	2.9L Twin-Turbo V6	5.0L Supercharged V8
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	8.8

You would expect the Jag to be the fastest considering the fact it has the most power but that isn’t the case. The AMG engine is faster than all its competitors. It’s a surprise to see that the Jaguar in spite of having the highest power figures does 0-60 at par with the Porsche. It’s sad to see the Jaguar stutter this way.

How Responsive are the Brakes?

The AMG spec brakes on the GLC have a great responsibility for them, stopping the car. It's quite natural to expect a powerful engine to be coupled with equally or more powerful brakes to control the power.

The 15.4-inch disc in the front has 6 piston calipers and the 14.2-inch rear disc has 4 piston calipers. The size of the brakes is just a nod to show how able these brakes are.

Model	Mercedes AMG GLC 63	BMW X3 M Competition	Porsche Macan Turbo	Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Brake Rotors Front (in)	15.4	15.6	15.4	15.5
Brake Rotors Rear (in)	14.2	14.6	14.0	15.6
Curb Weight (lbs)	4546	4620	4430	4395
60-0 MPH (ft)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

The stopping distance is not available for any of these vehicles. But looking at the size of the brakes and the curb weight should help us estimate the kind of braking performance of these beasts.

How Is The Ride & Handling?

The GLC is a heavy SUV but drives like a hatch. That shouldn’t come as a surprise as the dimensions of the car have been designed in a way to give it maximum aero-dynamics. The car feels planted and doesn’t swerve on the corners. The 4-Matic drivetrain is commendable for the kind of reliability it offers.

The SUV has a dual nature thanks to all the drive modes it comes with. AMG drive specs have always been dynamic and change the entire feel of the car. In sports mode, you can actually feel the vehicle performance change. It is a through and through fun, car to drive.

There is no question about the power of the AMG engine that is the heart of this Merc. But the question is how efficient is the powerful SUV? Well, it isn’t a hidden fact that SUVs aren’t as efficient as the other body styles. But, the Merc offers a good return on every gallon that the engine drinks up. The fuel efficiency in this SUV is very close to the kind of efficiency the GT or the S63 AMG offers.

Model	Mercedes AMG GLC 63	BMW X3 M Competition	Porsche Macan Turbo	Jaguar F-Pace SVR
MPG (City)	16	14	18	16
MPG (Highway)	22	19	23	21
MPG (Combined)	18	16	20	18
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)	13.2	17.4	20.0	16.0
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (mi)	247/343/237	331/470/278	400/540/400	227/368/288

The Porsche proves to be the most fuel-efficient vehicle out of all the Merc’s competitors. But then again the Porsche has a lower-powered engine and weighs lessers all of which contribute to its fuel efficiency. The Merc has the BMW beat in this segment, but it might not be one of the most important deciding factors that would influence buyers. The Jaguar and the Merc are in a few ways equally efficient.

Once you open the doors and get inside the GLC all your eyes can gather would be the beautifully designed cabin. The high stitched dash gives the interior a very plush feel to it. The seats on the GLC are the AMG sports seat with heated ventilation. The seats are also 14-way adjustable giving the rider the best selectable driving position and comfort. The center console is placed well and houses the infotainment system. There is an armrest right in the center which is optimally placed for best comfort. The armrest opens up to a storage compartment with a USB-port.

On the rear, you have a conventional 3 seater bench that can comfortably accommodate 3 adults. There is a rear climate vent centrally placed for better environmental control. The rear passengers get ample headroom which is generally very cramped up in some of the AMG Coupes and Sedans. The GLC is an ultimate family vehicle with some extra muscle to keep your drive engaging enough. The cabin is quiet with no outside noise. Apart from the sound of the exhaust, which again nobody would complain about.

Model	Mercedes AMG GLC 63	BMW X3 M Competition	Porsche Macan Turbo	Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Seating Capacity	5	5	5	5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	37.8/57.3/40.8	41.1/40.3/57.6	N/A	37.8/57.7/40.3
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	38.5/56.5/37.3	39.1/56.0/36.4	N/A	37.5/55.8/37.2

Cabin space-wise all these cars are equally placed. So let's talk about how luxurious and comfortable these are on the inside. The Mercedes feels very premium and luxurious and has enough luxury features to make you feel like you’re sitting on recliners, not car seats. The BMW is luxurious and comfortable but lacks a few things when compared to the Merc. BMW offers very simplistic luxury features and keeps the cabin design minimalist which is very BMWish. The Porsche here feels very simple and subtle. There are a lot of features missing in the cabin. The same can be said about the Jaguar as it still follows the old design layouts that it previously had. There are some luxury and plush interiors but just not at the level that the Mercedes flaunts them.

What creature comfort does it offer?

Mercedes has always been a standpoint for luxury and keeps passenger and driver comfort their priority. This can be proved by the features that the Merc provides in the cabin.

• Power front sport seats with driver-seat memory
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 3 years of Mercedes me connect services and connect Assist Services
• Remote Start via Mercedes me Mobile App
• 64-color LED ambient lighting/AMG illuminated front door sills
• Heated front seats
• 40/20/40-split rear seats with power folding
• Power-folding side mirrors
• MB-Tex/DINAMICA upholstery
• AMG Nappa leather Performance steering wheel
• Brushed aluminum pedals
• KEYLESS-START and KEYLESS-GO
• Power liftgate
• Household-type 115V power outlet
• Illuminated entry system
• Refined cargo compartment
• Retractable luggage cover
• Storage Package
• HomeLink garage door opener
• Brake HOLD feature
• Heat and noise-insulating front side glass

How good is the Infotainment setup?

The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment is very interactive. The MBUX update that the newer infotainment systems in the Mercedes make the user-interface much more interactive. The infotainment is powered by Burmester surround sound system which can keep the rider and the passengers entertained throughout the drive. The infotainment has it’s own AI which is activated through the Hey Mercedes voice command. This feature can control all the features in the infotainment through voice command. There is also the scroll bar and the touchpad controller placed in the center console which can control the infotainment system.

The steering wheel has touchpads that can control both the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. The 12.3inchdigital instrument cluster has 3 possible design layouts that can be set up according to preferences. The Instrument cluster beautifully displays the front grill of the SUV on startup which adds a nice touch to the entirety. The cluster is lit enough and has good visibility. The instrument cluster is also equipped to display the navigation on it which simplifies the driver’s experience.

What are the noticeable infotainment features?

• 25-inch touchscreen multimedia display
• 3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX)
• Voice Control with Natural Language Understanding
• "Hey, Mercedes" keyword activation
• Steering wheel with Touch Control Buttons
• Touchpad controller
• MB Navigation
• MBUX Augmented Video for Navigation
• No-charge online navigation map updates for 3 years
• FrontBass system
• Burmester Surround Sound System
• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• Dual USB-C audio ports
• HD Radio receiver
• SiriusXM
• Live Traffic Information
• Hands-free Bluetooth interface

What about the Cargo carrying capacity?

There is ample cargo space offered in the Merc. You can easily store 4 trolley suitcases along with a couple of duffle bags in it. The car has enough space to store your luggage for a weekend holiday or your weeks worth of groceries. The rear folding seats provide the extra storage space if needed.

Model	Mercedes AMG GLC 63	BMW X3 M Competition	Porsche Macan Turbo	Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Cargo Capacity (ft3)	17.6	28.7	17.6	33.5

The Jaguar has almost double the cargo space when compared to the Merc which justifies its SUV status. The BMW also offers more cargo space when compared to the GLC. It isn’t anything to fret over as the Merc still has ample cargo space available for use.

The impeccable AMG design is hard to miss. The front of the vehicle is adorned by the Panamericana Grill and the front vents that are strategically placed to improve aerodynamics. The engine has been given ample breathing room for cooling which comes through the grill. The LEDs give the Merc the charisma and character.

The quad exhaust is placed on either side of the rear diffuser. The entire layout from behind makes the GLC look like a tall hatch. In a sense isn’t that what this vehicle actually is? The car looks stunning and carries the whole AMG look splendidly. It is difficult to get the design right with an SUV but the GLC does it fantastically well.

Model	Mercedes AMG GLC 63	BMW X3 M Competition	Porsche Macan Turbo	Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Curb Weight (lbs)	4546	4620	4430	4395
Length (in)	184.2	185.9	184.9	186.5
Width (in)	76.0	74.4	76.2	81.5
Height (in)	63.8	66.0	63.9	65.7
Ground Clearance (in)	6.1	8.0	7.4	8.4
Wheelbase (in)	113.1	112.1	110.5	113.1

The GLC sits the lowest and is considerably lighter than the Beemer. The design of all these cars is beautiful and it’s pleasant to see SUVs that are not boxy. Personally, the Merc looks most enticing out of the lot.

What are the design highlights on the outside?

The Merc has a lot of things going on its exterior some of which are listed down.

• Aggressively elegant design
• Spaciousness and solidity
• LED Daytime Running Lamps
• LED headlamps and taillamps
• Anodized roof rails
• AMG body styling
• 20-inch AMG twin 5-spoke wheels
• Privacy glass

The GLC has not been through the NHTSA tests yet. The IIHS ratings are not available either. Mercedes is a dependable brand when it comes to safety. Expect the GLC 63 to be no short of a safe vehicle. The chassis is made up of an alloy-mix of aluminum and steel. aluminum helps the body shell of the GLC strengthen its overall rigidity, acoustic qualities, and occupant protection while toning down the weight. There is also a significant increase in cabin space due to this. Laser-welded, heat-treated steel, and sheet steel are made with varying and predetermined thicknesses along with high-strength and ultrahigh-strength steel, numerous components, and strategic reinforcements are made of extruded, stamped, and diecast aluminum.

What are the on-board Safety Features?

There is a long list of safety features that the GLC gets. The extensive list of features is as mentioned.

• Active Brake Assist
• Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call service
• Blind Spot Assist with Exit Warning Assist
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• Crosswind Assist
• Rearview camera
• PRE-SAFE & PRE-SAFE Sound
• Seat belt technology
• 7 airbags
• Adaptive braking technology & Brake Assist
• Antilock Braking System (ABS) & Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• 4-wheel Electronic Traction System (4-ETS)
• Trailer Stability Assist
• Aluminum and high-strength steel body structure
• Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• SmartKey with KEYLESS-START
• Antitheft alarm system with remote panic feature
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Electric parking brake

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 VS BMW X3 M Competition

Sweet dilemma please spare me! Mercedes and BMW have been at each other’s throat for as long as anyone can remember. These two vehicles have very different personas and drive equally different. The Merc is very comfortable to sit in and provides luxury like no other. BMW, on the other hand, is just soo much fun to drive. The X-Drive and the handling of the car just keep you gripped. This would be a choice for you to make based on how you feel about these cars personally.

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 VS Porsche Macan Turbo

The Porsche just lacks everything apart from fuel efficiency when compared to the Mercedes. The power, drive experience and luxury offered on the Mercedes are on a different league altogether. The Porsche simply feels overpriced for all the features and offerings. The Mercedes is almost 10-grand lighter on the pockets and would definitely be a better pick amongst the two.

Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 VS Jaguar F-Pace SVR

The Jaguar has a bigger engine. Just a bigger engine. Which is outperformed by the smaller 4.0L engine in the GLC. It aches the heart to see the SVR that has soo much potential trailing. Even in terms of luxury and comfort, the Jaguar can do much better than this. The winner here is hands down the Mercedes.

The AMG GLC 63 is an exceptional offering for the price that it is offered at. It feels really responsive in the drive. The power seems to keep oozing from the V8 Bi-Turbo. The luxury in the cabin is best in its class if not better. Mercedes simply amazes in every aspect and is a great option for people that want extra comfort, space, and performance.