2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

With the configuration on offer, the Mercedes Benz GLC is capable of pumping out 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. It is also offered in both RWD and AWD options. The later one is for those of you who feel like ditching the highway for a backroad on Fridays. The GLC is accompanied by the BMW X3, the Audi Q5, and the Volvo XC60 in the segment. All of these vehicles offer an all-wheel-drive system with go-anywhere capabilities. Well, almost. 

The 2020 Mercedes Benz GLC is offered in a couple of trim. The only difference between the two trims is the drive configuration. The GLC can be opted with both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configuration. For the ones looking to squeeze out some driving pleasure from there SUVs, an AMG version is also on offer. And for the nature lovers out there, Merc also offers a hybrid GLC. 

Trim	GLC 300 SUV
MSRP (RWD)	$42,500
MSRP (AWD)	$44,500
Key Features	Eco start-stop system
	Torque vectoring brakes
	Active brake assist
	Key-less entry and start
	64 color ambient lighting
	Privacy glass
	Heated front seats
	Power liftgate

 Which trim do we recommend?

We recommend the all-wheel-drive version of the GLC. It costs only a fraction more than the standard version and offers more practicality. The AWD system would come in handy especially in areas where it snows. 

The Mercedes Benz GLC is powered by a 2-liter inline-4 powerhouse. The engine works in tandem with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This combination is capable of pushing out 255 horsepower at 5800rpm.  The four cylinders also manage to pump out 273 lb-ft of torque at as low as 1800RPM. This wide powerband makes it very easy to drive on both the highways and the city roads. The engine feels peppy enough in case you feel like flooring it every now and then.

Models	Mercedes Benz GLC 300 4MATIC	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Audi Q5 Premium Quattro	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum
MSRP	$44,500	$43,950	$43,300	$40,195
Engine	2.0L Bi-Turbo Inline-4	2.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-4	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4
Drivetrain	AWD	AWD	AWD	FWD
Transmission	9-Speed automatic	8-Speed automatic	7-Speed DCT	8-Speed A/T
Power	255hp@5,800rpm	248hp@5,200rpm	248hp@5,000rpm	250hp@5,500rpm
Torque	273lb-ft@1,800rpm	258lb-ft@1,450rpm	273lb-ft@1,600rpm	258lb-ft@1,500rpm

On paper, all of these vehicles feel pretty similar. All of them are powered by 2-liter inline-4 engines. Even the power and torque figures from these engines are quite similar. The Mercedes with 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque manages to leave the competition behind- at least on paper. The BMW and Audi both produce 248 horsepower, and 258 lb-ft of torque and 273lb-ft of torque respectively. The Volvo manages 250hp and 258 lb-ft of torque which in itself isn't bad.

How fast is this SUV?

When it comes to "off the line" acceleration figures, family SUV don't leave much to desire. Having said that, times are changing and the 2-liter bi-turbo motor manages to push the GLC to 60mph in 5.8 seconds. The GLC takes 14.6 seconds to cross the quarter mile mark which might not seem impressive at first but it actually is! The GLC isn't something you would take to the drag strips on weekends. But Mercedes offers plenty of options and in case you ask for more power, there is an AMG version on offer as well.

Models	Mercedes Benz GLC 300 4MATIC	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Audi Q5 Premium Quattro	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum
0-60 MPH	5.8 sec	6.2 sec	5.9 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.1 sec	14.5 sec	14.9 sec
Top Speed	130 MPH	130 MPH	135 MPH	140 MPH
Engine	2.0L Bi-Turbo Inline-4	2.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-4	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4

The Merc, when compared to the competition, does pretty well. Only the Volvo manages to beat the GLC in terms of 0-60 acceleration. The Audi manages to run the quickest quarter-mile in the group mainly due to its Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The Audi takes 14.5 seconds followed by the Merc’s 14.6, then the Volvo at 14.9 and BMW comes last at 15.1 seconds. 

How well does it stop?

With all the weight these small luxury SUVs carry, it is imperative that they are equipped with brakes that complement the other aspects of the vehicle.

The GLC is equipped with 13.5-inch rotors in the front and 12.6-inch rotors in the rear. These brakes manage to bring the GLC to a complete stop from 60 MPH in 115 feet. 

Model	Mercedes Benz GLC 300 4MATIC	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Audi Q5 Premium Quattro	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum
Brake Rotors Front	13.5"	13"	13.3"	13.6"
Brake Rotors Rear	12.6"	13"	13"	12.6"
Curb Weight	3891 lbs	4034 lbs	4057 lbs	4109 lbs
60-0 MPH	115 ft	114 ft	112 ft	114 ft

The Volvo has the largest front brake rotors in this group. At 13.5 inches, the GLC’s rotors are only a tiny bit smaller than the Volvo’s. Even though the Mercedes weighs the least in this group, it takes the longest distance to stop. The Benz could have been equipped with better brakes. 

What about the driving dynamics?

Offering two unique driving modes- Normal mode and the Sport mode. While the normal driving mode permits responsive controlling and a comfortable ride, the sport mode hardens the suspensions and increases the steering response, in any case, the GLC handles just like an SUV should. 

With the kitted 4Matic system, the GLC can tackle mild off-roading with ease. Be it bumps or potholes, it manages to take them on with ease. This Merc might be classified as a luxury crossover but it can still easily tackle the challenges you might want to throw at it.

When it comes to fuel economy, the Inline engines are believed to be better than a V or a Flat configuration. The four-banger powering the GLC is the most powerful among the selected lot. Yet, it manages to equally fuel-efficient as most other cars in the competition. The Merc manages to run 21 miles for a gallon in the city, while on the highway, it will cruise 28 miles for the same amount of gas. 

Model	Mercedes Benz GLC 300 4MATIC	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Audi Q5 Premium Quattro	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum
MPG (City)	21	24	22	22
MPG (Highway)	28	29	27	29
MPG (Combined)	24	27	24	24
Fuel Capacity	17.4 gallons	17.2 gallons	18.5 gallons	18.8 gallons
Range (City/Hwy/Combined)	365/487/417 miles	413/499/447 miles	407/500/444 miles	414/545/451 miles
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.3	6.8	7.4	7.7

The Bimmer manages to be the most efficient of the lot, with figures of 24 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on a highway and combined MPG of 27. 

The 2020 GLC's interior is comfortable and luxurious, just as it should be in any of the cars that boast the 'three-pointed star' on its grille. The cabin is spacious, but for the sloping roofline, the headroom for the rear passengers might be a little constricted. The seats offer sufficient support and well-cushioned. They are also ventilated and have heating capabilities.  

The seats provide ample legroom, but the headroom might be a problem for taller folks. The cabin is laden with premium materials. There are also many cubby holes and convenient storing places throughout the cabin.  

Model	Mercedes Benz GLC 300 4MATIC	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Audi Q5 Premium Quattro	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum
Seating Capacity	5	5	5	5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	37.8/57.3/40.8	41.1/57.6/40.3	41.7/57.7/41.0	38.0/58.2/41.5
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	38.5/56.5/37.3	39.1/56.0/36.4	39.3/56.5/37.8	38.0/56.3/38.0

How much cargo can it carry?

In terms of cargo space, the GLC is far from the best. With the second row up, this provides only 19.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which falls well short of the class average.

However, the second row is foldable, which increases the cargo space to 56.5 cubic feet. 

Model	Mercedes Benz GLC 300 4MATIC	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Audi Q5 Premium Quattro	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum
Cargo Capacity	19.4 cu.ft.	28.7 cu.ft.	25.1 cu.ft.	29.7 cu.ft.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Volvo XC60 is the most practical in this bunch. It offers 29.7 cubic feet of cargo storage. The BMW is a close second with 28.7 cubic feet. The Audi and the Merc offer 25.1 and 19.4 cubic feet of storage respectively. Volvo offers the most cargo volume mainly due to the boxy shape.

What's there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment system of the 2020 Mercedes Benz GLC 300 SUV is probably of the most advanced systems on offer in today's market. However you might take some time to adjust but eventually, you’ll get a hang of it. This 10.25-inch “MBUX” infotainment system really is a gem. It is buttery smooth to use and offers immediate feedback to your touch. 

The standard infotainment features that are available in this Luxury crossover are -

• Apple CarPlay
• Analog gauges with high-resolution multifunction display
• 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia display
• Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX)
• Voice Control with Natural Language Understanding
• "Hey, Mercedes" keyword activation
• Steering wheel with Touch Control Buttons
• Touchpad controller
• FrontBass system
• Android Auto
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• Dual USB audio ports
• HD Radio receiver
• Hands-free Bluetooth interface

What are the creature comforts on offer?

• Power front seats with driver-seat memory
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Remote Start via Mercedes me Mobile App
• Heated front seats
• 40/20/40-split rear seats with power folding
• Power-folding side mirrors
• Power liftgate
• Household-type 115V power outlet
• Illuminated entry system
• HomeLink garage door opener

The 2020 GLC received a mid-cycle refresh and looks beefed up than before. It has an unmistakable road presence, with its tall stance. The front fascia is redesigned but keeps a few cues from its predecessor. The grille is surrounded by LED DRL headlamps and sports a healthy amount of chrome. The curvy design elements give it the unmistakable crossover look. 

There is an evident conventional overtone to the whole sculpt of the body alongside a sweet roofline that tucks itself down to the rear. Weighing 4000 pounds, the crossover is lighter than most of its rivals and is also more compact as well as incorporating a longer wheelbase.

Model	Mercedes Benz GLC 300 4MATIC	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Audi Q5 Premium Quattro	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum
Curb Weight	4057 lbs	4034 lbs	4057 lbs	4109 lbs
Length	183.3"	185.9"	183.6"	184.6"
Width	74.4"	74.4"	74.5"	78.7"
Height	64.5"	66.0"	65.3"	65.3"
Ground Clearance	5.0"	8.0"	8.2"	8.5"
Wheelbase	113.1"	112.1"	111.0"	112.8"

The Volvo XC60 is the longest in this bunch with the longest wheelbase. This is also the reason why the Volvo offers the most interior space to its passengers. All the other vehicles are fairly matched in terms of exterior dimensions.

Exterior Features

• 20-inch AMG Y 5-spoke wheels
• Sport interior appointments
• Brushed aluminum running boards
• Chrome diamond-block grille
• Anodized roof rails
• Panorama roof
• AMG body styling
• Gloss Black exterior accents

The 2020 Mercedes Benz GLC has not been rated by the NHTSA or the IIHS. Having said that, based on the crash scores of other Mercedes Benz vehicles, the GLC can be expected to be pretty good on the safety front. Some of the safety features are-

• Active Brake Assist
• 7 Airbags
• LED headlamps and taillamps
• Blind Spot Assist with Exit Warning Assist
• ATTENTION ASSIST
• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC (as shown)
• Crosswind Assist
• PRE-SAFE
• Adaptive braking technology
• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Aluminum and high-strength steel body structure
• Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Antitheft alarm system with remote panic feature
• Active brake assist (as shown)

Mercedes-Benz GLC vs BMW X3

Both the GLC and the X3 are very impressive vehicles. Both of them offer a good amount of luxury and comfort to the passengers. Even in terms of money, there is not a lot to differentiate these vehicles. As far as ride quality is concerned, the GLC is slightly better. In terms of tech, both the Merc and the BMW are very well matched. 

Mercedes-Benz GLC vs Audi Q5

The Q5 and the GLC are the best from their respective brands in terms of what they offer. But on paper, it’s the Q5 that clean sweeps the GLC in every parameter. The Q5 delivers better mileage, performance, towing capacity and interior space. The GLC, on the other hand, offers a more luxurious interior and should be your choice, if you prefer to be chauffeur-driven.

Mercedes-Benz GLC vs Volvo XC60

Again, there is not a lot to differentiate these vehicles. Both the vehicles are very comfortable and luxurious according to their price. In terms of money, the Volvo is slightly cheaper than the Mercedes but the Mercedes offers much better reliability and peace of mind.

Not a lot can be said to separate the abovementioned cars. This is a very competitive segment and these cars are very closely matched. However, the Audi trumps the other vehicles by a narrow margin. Reliability has never been an issue for the Germans but the Audi offers a slightly better ride quality and is a little more advanced than the Merc in terms of tech. To top it all, it also looks better and costs a little less.