As one might expect, Mercedes-Benz is at the forefront of adding tech features throughout their lineup. This 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is no exception — it’s fairly stuffed with glitzy, techy gear to make driving easier, along with making the other things you do while driving a bit less distracting.
And nearly all of it works as you’d expect — if you can manage a smartphone, you can swipe right on this compact crossover.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC lands in the top third of our luxury compact SUV rankings. It delivers on almost every front, providing an enjoyable driving experience, a comfortable interior, and plenty of technology.
Mercedes Benz GLC 300 Key Facts
Engine: 2.0L I4 Turbo
Output: 255 hp, 273 lb-ft torque
Transmission: 9-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive
US fuel economy (MPG): 21 city, 28 highway, 24 combined
CAN fuel economy (L/100KM): 11.0 city, 8.7 highway, 10.0 combined
Estimated US price: $59,475
Is the Mercedes-Benz a Good SUV?
Yes, the Mercedes GLC is a good SUV. It’s available in two body styles: a regular SUV style and one with four doors and a more steeply pitched roofline that Mercedes calls a coupe.
It offers several power train options, including turbo-four and high-performance V6 and V8 engines and a plug-in hybrid.
The GLC handles well and rides smoothly, and it has a posh interior. The seats are comfortable, and the infotainment system is user-friendly.
The GLC does have a couple of nit-picky negatives, like the amount of rear-seat headroom in coupe models and some turbo lag when you hit the gas.
Also, some rivals have more cargo space than the GLC. But overall, it’s hard to find a reason not to like this SUV.
The front seats, on the other hand, are nearly perfect. With plenty of adjustability to the driver’s seat – including an extendable lower bolster! – the GLC 300 is a great place to while away hours behind the wheel.
The center console is nicely padded where my knee rests, and the chunky steering wheel feels great to hold.
GLC Interior
Standard features include the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touch screen, two USB ports, HD Radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth.
Available features include a 13-speaker Burmester premium surround-sound system, navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a rear-seat entertainment system.
The GLC now features Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system, replacing the COMAND interface. MBUX is user-friendly, with several ways to adjust settings, including an intuitive voice control feature.
It also includes artificial intelligence that learns and adapts to the user to improve the overall experience.
Regarding technology – the dual screens married to a center console touch pad seem intimidating at first.
That’s right – two screens. The usual center screen (10.25 inches diagonally) is paired with an optional ($750) 12.3” digital instrument cluster that replaces the typical gauges fore of the steering wheel.
The competition for the best interior among small luxury crossovers is fierce, but the GLC stakes its claim with a handsome cabin that’s filled with plenty of top-notch materials. It’s also well-insulated from wind and road noise.
GLC and child car seats
There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the GLC’s rear outboard seats, as well as an upper tether for the rear middle seat. The tether anchors are easy to find and identify, but the lower anchors can be difficult to maneuver around.
How many People Does the GLC seat?
The GLC seats five people in both body styles. Both rows of seats are comfortable and supportive. Head- and legroom are good up front, and adults can ride in the back without feeling squeezed. The coupe body style doesn’t have as much rear-seat headroom because of the raked roofline.
GLC Cargo Space
This Mercedes benz has got 19.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 56.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded in the standard model. Those totals drop to 17.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 49.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded in GLC coupe models.
GLC Performance
You can’t really go wrong with any of the GLC’s engines. Even the base engine – a 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder – has enough juice to move this Mercedes easily in most driving situations. However, there’s a little bit of turbo lag when you hit the gas.
If the turbo-four engine doesn’t wow you, then there are a few performance-tuned Mercedes-AMG models to choose from. The AMG GLC 43 features a 385-horsepower twin-turbo V6. The AMG GLC 63 comes with a 469-horsepower twin-turbo V8. AMG GLC 63 S models boast a 503-horsepower twin-turbo V8.
Finally, there’s a plug-in-hybrid model, the GLC 350e, that is available already in the U.S. It features a four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that combine to produce 315 horsepower. Like the other GLC models, the 350e comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
GLC Mileage
The GLC earns typical fuel economy ratings for a small luxury crossover. Models with the base engine and rear-wheel drive get 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. With 4Matic all-wheel drive, the ratings drop slightly to 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
GLC Alternative Fuel & Charging
It takes about eight hours to recharge the GLC 350e plug-in hybrid using a Level 1 charger (a 110-volt household-style outlet). With a Level 2 charger (240 volts), it takes about 2.5 hours. All-electric range estimates for the GLC 350e are not yet available.
GLC Handling
This amazing ride provides a cushioned ride over almost any road surface. It doesn’t match the sporty feel of some competitors, but this Mercedes-Benz delivers plenty of driving enjoyment and doesn’t feel overmatched on the highway, on winding back roads, or even during light off-roading.
GLC Safety Feature
Standard driver assistance features include a rearview camera, driver drowsiness monitoring, active brake assist, and crosswind assist. Pre-Safe is also standard. This system tightens the seat belts and rolls up the windows if a collision is imminent.
Available active safety features include Pre-Safe Plus, active park assist, lane keep assist, evasive steering assist, route-based speed adaptation, traffic sign recognition, a surround-view parking camera system, pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring with exit warning function, rear cross traffic alert, and a head-up display.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC comes with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.
Should I Buy a New or Used Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The new GLC makes a good choice for buyers who want the latest and greatest, though there are plenty of similar used models available as well.
The 2020 GLC belongs to a generation that began with the vehicle’s debut for 2016, and there have been some noteworthy updates since. The GLC is heavily refreshed for 2020.
Mercedes adds 14 horsepower to the base engine and 23 horsepower to the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, and the infotainment system now features the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) interface with a 10.25-inch touch screen (up from 7 inches).
For 2019, heated front seats and a 115-volt household-style power outlet became standard. Mercedes also added available tri-zone automatic climate control and an optional Off-Road Engineering package. The 2018 and 2017 model years saw the introduction of some new AMG models.
If you’re open to buying a used vehicle, consider shopping across all of the GLC’s model years. You won’t miss out on many features, and you’ll probably spend less money.