AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING9/10
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Safety7/10
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PRACTICALITY9/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8/10
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FEATURES8/10
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POWER10/10
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COMFORT7/10
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DRIVING FEEL9/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8/10
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VALUE7/10
You might not know it at a glance – particularly across a crowded parking lot – but the GLC-Class from Mercedes-Benz has been redesigned.
It takes what was already an impressive compact crossover and makes it better, with improved comfort and ease of use standing out most amidst an array of incremental changes. In the case of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, you can add to that list enhanced efficiency thanks to a new mild hybrid system that might count as one of the best in the business.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
This brand is no stranger to augmenting its gas engines with a 48-volt supply of electricity, which provides a slight boost when accelerating and, in the case of this four-cylinder, some notable fuel savings.
Officially, this version of the GLC-Class is rated to consume only a little less fuel than its predecessor that used the same engine sans mild hybrid technology; it’s good for 9.8 L/100 km combined compared to 10.4 last year, according to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). However, the real-world results were significantly better, with this test turning in a combined rate of just 7.5 L/100 km during a 210-km evaluation drive. The full test week finished a little worse, ringing in at 8.1 L/100 km after more city driving was added to the mix.
On the bright side, eight per cent of the 420 total km travelled were racked up with the gas engine shut off, according to the trip computer. That’s thanks to the 48-volt system’s ability to quickly – and quietly – take over when coasting. The lone disappointment is the expensive premium-grade gas this crossover consumes.
Driving Feel: 9/10
Equally impressive is the manner in which the entire system operates, with the digital tachometer in the instrument display that drops to zero in most coasting scenarios the only indication that the engine is temporarily offline. The same is true when idling, where there’s nary a hint that the integrated starter-generator unit – which replaces both the starter motor and alternator – is working away as the gas engine shuts down and starts up again.
It’s but one way the GLC 300 is almost as smooth as an electric vehicle (EV), with the nine-speed automatic transmission shifting almost imperceptibly in normal driving scenarios, the engine’s revs rising and falling like a whisper in the wind. Even the suspension doesn’t chatter the way it did last time, with broken pavement better absorbed before reaching the vehicle’s structure.
While the inevitable AMG-tuned version(s) will satisfy shoppers seeking an extra dose of dynamism, there’s more than enough of this brand’s trademark driving feel to go around. It remains upright but without much body roll when cornering, while the steering feels perfectly balanced no matter the scenario.
Power: 10/10
The GLC 300 more or less uses the same 2.0L turbocharged engine as before, with an identical 255 hp to go with 295 lb-ft of torque – a little more than last year’s version. While smoothness and efficiency seem to be this four-cylinder’s raison d’être, it’s capable of the kind of quickness that’s expected of a ‘Benz product.
Stomp the accelerator and the extra dose of electrified torque afforded by the mild hybrid system will happily chip in, supplementing what the turbo spins up to the temporary tune of 148 lb-ft. It’s smooth, too – both in delivery and the resulting acceleration, with this little crossover swiftly taking off towards the horizon as all four wheels receive power.
Comfort: 7.5/10
Air suspension isn’t offered here, but the so-called selective damping system does well to soften the blow of most road imperfections. These mechanical units use bypass valves that react to conditions, feeling firmer when cornering while softening the rates over rough surfaces. And while the wheels and tires tend to pull at the suspension at low speeds, leading to a sensation of stiffness, the GLC-Class remains well composed – particularly on the highway.
There is, however, a decibel or two more road noise at those speeds than there should be, but the atmosphere hushes nicely below about 80 km/h. (Surely the acoustically-insulated door glass that’s part of the Premium Plus upgrade package helps here.) And while the seats aren’t wrapped in genuine leather upholstery – it’s available in the choice of four colours at $2,105 each – they’re supportive and comfortable.
Styling: 9/10
The outward appearance of the 2023 GLC-Class is a familiar one, with few discernable differences from its predecessor; if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, as the saying goes. In reality, this second-generation version is slightly longer and lower, with a sleeker and more refined fascia and tidier taillights. Paired with new wheel designs, including the classic five-spoke units on this tester, this crossover is as stylish as ever.
The reworked interior is much more noticeable, with an entirely new dash design that ditches the narrow widescreen display from before in favour of a portrait-oriented unit that sits lower on the centre stack. As usual, a number of trim choices are available, including open-pore wood or this tester’s woven metal-like finish.
User-Friendliness: 8/10
Not only does the new cabin layout look good but it’s functional, too. The console has been cleaned up to look less cluttered, with a discreet row of controls anchoring the 11.9-inch touchscreen. The latter uses a fixed lower portion of climate controls, with the rest of the space dedicated to whichever feature or function is called up – including full-screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections (they were awkwardly shrunken last time).
Now fitted with a fully digital instrument display that features a number of views, including a map that occupies almost the entirety of the 12.3-inch screen, there’s a newfound sense of modern usefulness here. Mercedes also ditched the pair of BlackBerry-derived thumb controls on the steering wheel, although the sensors that replace them are just as fussy to use.
Practicality: 9/10
Otherwise, the GLC-Class is straightforward and approachable, with good outward visibility from the driver’s seat. The rear seats are reasonably spacious, while the 40/20/40 splits in which they fold mean long items can be stashed inside while still offering accommodations for four occupants.
With the rear seats upright there’s 620 L of cargo room – 70 L more than last time. On paper, that looks to be significantly less than a rival like the Acura RDX offers; however, don’t let the numbers fool you: these brands employ different measurement standards, and the usable volume is about the same. (Ditto what’s available with the rear seats folded, which can be done using buttons in the cargo area.) The GLC-Class also benefits from a wide tailgate opening and low liftover height that together make loading and unloading a breeze.
Features: 8/10
Mercedes has simplified the packaging this year, with more standard features – most of which should have been included all along – to go with upgrade groups that make sense. There’s no need to pay for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto this time; they’re both included, and they’re wireless. The power-adjustable front seats are heated, as is the steering wheel, while the climate control system is of the dual-zone automatic variety. (An argument could be made that ventilated front seats and heated rear ones should be included, too, but both are affordable add-ons.)
Opting for the Premium package ($4,200) is how you get stuff like this tester’s panoramic power sunroof, built-in navigation, and surround-view cameras. From there, a separate Premium Plus upgrade ($3,650) adds augmented reality instructions for the nav, plus a 15-speaker stereo, and a head-up display, among a few others.
Safety: 7/10
One of the few disappointments about the way this Mercedes has been packaged is that most advanced safety features are grouped together as add-ons rather than included in the asking price. In fairness, the Intelligent Drive package is affordable at $2,700; but then most mainstream models this size include similar suites across their lineups.
In the 2023 Mercedes GLC 300, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring are standard along with a few other features like rain-sensing wipers and a self-parking system. However, lane-keeping assistance as well as adaptive cruise control and others aren’t included (nor were they added to this tester).
Value: 7/10
With a starting price of $58,900 before freight and taxes, the cheapest GLC-Class in Canada is more expensive than the BMW X3 ($55,200), Audi Q5 ($51,850), or Genesis GV70 ($57,500), to name a few. Meanwhile, the extras here – none of which were too lavish, mind you – pushed the price of this tester to $74,185. That’s not exactly inexpensive, but then it’s easy to rack up similar sticker prices across the segment.
The Verdict
The dollars and cents of it all do little to diminish this crossover’s standing as one of the very finest offerings out there. Better than ever in its second generation, it’s hard to find fault in what the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 has to offer. While its advanced safety suite should be standard fare, and the touch sensors inside aren’t the easiest to use, they’re the kind of flaws that are easy to come to terms with given how well the rest of the package comes together.
| Engine Displacement | 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 2,000–3,200 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 10.4 / 9.1 / 9.8 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 620 / 1,594 L seats up/down |
| Model Tested | 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 SUV |
| Base Price | $58,900 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | N/A |
| Price as Tested | $74,185 |
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Optional Equipment
$15,185 – Premium Package, $4,200; AMG Line w/Night Package, $3,900; Premium Plus Package, $3,650; Obsidian Black Metallic paint, $975; Trailer hitch, $800; Artico dash, $455; SiriusXM satellite radio, $455; Dash cam, $300; Metal Weave trim, $250; Metal Weave centre console, $200
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