Summary
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a medium-sized premium SUV/crossover, which sits between the smaller GLA and larger GLE in the Mercedes-Benz SUV family. This is the second-generation model, which went on sale in the final months of 2022.
Fitted with the latest infotainment tech and combustion-powered drivetrains that Mercedes-Benz has to offer, the latest GLC is described by several reviewers as an evolution of the outgoing model.
Carbuyer‘s Tom Jervis claims that it has “one of the most high-tech cabins in the class”, while concluding that “the already-spacious GLC is even more practical than before”.
The Top Gear team praises the SUV for its “more elegant and sophisticated” exterior styling, while What Car? is more impressed by the GLC’s range of engines – particularly the plug-in hybrid variants that offer a very competitive electric driving range.
While the GLC is certainly efficient, on-the-road excitement is another matter. “Flat-out acceleration is hardly exciting”, says What Car?, and while the SUV is an accomplished motorway cruiser, “it doesn’t feel all that settled at slow speeds.”
Focused on the build quality, Honest John adds that the interior, while classy, does feature some cheap materials in places, despite its rather expensive price tag.
As of October 2024, the Mercedes-Benz GLC holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 69%. It scores highly for safety and it has low CO2 emissions (thanks largely to the plug-in hybrid model). However, its running costs are vey high, and we don’t yet have reliability data for this model.
- Mercedes-Benz GLC (2015 to 2022) – Expert Rating
- More Mercedes-Benz ratings, reviews, news and features
GLC highlights
- Class-leading infotainment
- Impressive PHEV battery range
- Spacious and well-equipped interior
- Large boot
GLC lowlights
- Large price hike over previous GLC range
- Rivals are more engaging on the road
- Slightly firm ride comfort
- Some cheap cabin materials
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £52,880 on-road
Launched: Winter 2022/23
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes GLC is one of the most hi-tech cars in the premium mid-size SUV class, and features a fantastic, luxurious interior that ensures it looks as good on the inside as it does on the outside. If you’re looking for a family SUV with a focus on luxury, the GLC should definitely be on your shortlist. The plug-in hybrid models are also impressively efficient, making them particularly appealing to company car buyers.”
Author: Sam Naylor
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic GLC Coupe 300 Premium Plus
Score: 6 / 10
“A little practicality is lost but otherwise, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe has all of the impressive attributes seen on the new GLC with a premium interior, refinement and a comfy ride. It’s extremely difficult to recommend the Coupe over the SUV model based on these qualities, however, and that’s before you get to the price tag.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic GLC 200d 4Matic
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Mercedes-Benz GLC appears to have improved in every area over the old model, but unfortunately you’re likely to incur a hefty price increase for this newfound ability. The GLC has class-leading technology on board and feels more premium, but perhaps most surprisingly, it drives as well as any of its rivals.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic GLC 300 de 4Matic
Score: 9 / 10
“The most expensive version of the Mercedes-Benz GLC could be the best. The plug-in hybrid system is one of the best around, however it’s a shame the impressive technology, refinement and efficiency has caused the weight to shoot up. It’s an improvement on the old car in all key areas, so the GLC’s global success looks set to continue.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid 300 e AMG Line
Score: 9 / 10
“With this 300 e model, Mercedes has shown it’s capable of developing class-leading technology in the plug-in hybrid sector, while retaining that all-important focus on refinement. Plenty of rivals are more fun to drive, however, and with the firm pushing more towards the premium end of the market, the GLC’s pricing could be a tough pill to swallow.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Latest generation of the popular mid-size Mercedes SUV is posh, packed with tech and especially impressive as a hybrid.” (Dan Trent)
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol automatic GLE Coupe 300 AMG Line
Score: 7 / 10
“As is often the case when SUVs become coupés, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé demands a premium over the standard car, adding almost £7,000 to the price. When you factor in the ride and the gearbox, that makes it quite hard to justify spending the extra over the standard car.” (Dan Jones)
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic GLC 220d 4Matic
Score: 9 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLC costs from around £50,000. Pricey? Yes. But if you can afford it, it offers a broad range of qualities that few if any rivals can match, particularly in 220d guise.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: 300e AMG Line Premium Plus (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“Petrol plug-in hybrid version of the new GLC SUV adds impressive efficiency to the mid-size SUV segment at a price.” (Martyn Collins)
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“We can see the reason why the Mercedes-Benz GLC is one of its best-sellers in the UK and Europe. It’s got that three-pointed star on the front, it’s capable of competitive efficiency and features plenty of technology inside. But if these criteria aren’t high priorities, the GLC shouldn’t be on your shortlist. It’s not a remotely satisfying car to drive, with unrefined engines, a busier ride than we’ve experienced on some hardcore hot hatchbacks and a middling interior when it comes to quality and user-friendliness.”
Author: Jake Groves
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Model reviewed: GLC Coupé range
Score: 6 / 10
“We’d recommend you avoid the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. It doesn’t drive any better than the standard car, which means it’s of little interest to petrolheads, and the practicality sacrifices it makes dampen its appeal for family buyers. If you want a mid-sized Mercedes SUV, just stick with the standard GLC SUV. But if you’re hell-bent on owning a mid-sized coupe SUV, you’d be better served by the BMW X4 or Audi Q5 Sportback.”
Author: Luke Wilkinson
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Just like its smaller sibling, the C-Class, the Mercedes GLC excels in almost every area and is a superb choice for company car buyers.” (Tom Jervis)
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Coupe range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is a stylish alternative to the standard GLC that’s just as nice to travel in, but alternatives have more spacious cabins, bigger boots and better infotainment.”
Read review
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a spacious family SUV with a comfortable setup, but it’s rather expensive compared to competitors.”
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLC sits slap bang in the middle of the brand’s SUV lineup, and the new second-generation car should be a popular one. Classy, clever and with some impressive hybrid options, it’s only a shame that progress doesn’t come cheap.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Mercedes-Benz GLC will no doubt continue the model’s success. Majoring on space, technology and refinement, it also offers supreme efficiency from its long-range plug-in hybrid options. It doesn’t stand head-and-shoulders above rivals on the road, though, and there’s been quite a price jump over the old model.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: GLC Coupé range
Score: 6 / 10
“Mercedes’s intention for the GLC Coupe was to inject a bit of style and sportiness into its rather sensible GLC SUV, but we fear the car will miss the mark in the UK. For starters, there aren’t any mechanical differences between the Coupe and the SUV, so it feels just like the standard car to drive. That seems a bit dishonest considering it’s around £6,500 more expensive.”
Author: Luke Wilkinson
Read review
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 7 / 10
“There’s certainly plenty to recommend the Mercedes-Benz GLC, with the impressive electric-only range of the 300e beating rivals comfortably. We suspect plenty will love the techno-flash interior design and space for passengers is decent, too. However, while it’s comfortable on the motorway, there are better-driving SUVs in the class and bigger ones, too.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid GLC 300e AMG Line Premium Plus
Score: 6 / 10
“For the company-car driver with off-street parking and a home wallbox, the favourable tax treatment of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 e and its potential fuel savings should offset the high price, though not by much. I quite like the GLC but, despite the technical virtuosity shown in this plug-in model, I’d prefer a diesel-engined version.” (Andrew English)
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel/electric plug-in hybrid GLC 300 de AMG Line
Score: 8 / 10
“From the outside, this expensive family SUV looks just another affectation of the wealthy, but underneath it’s quite a piece of work, with (in PHEV form) a long range in electric mode, decent economy, tidy ride and handling (at least in the cars we drove) and a comfortable and well-finished interior.” (Andrew English)
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The GLC is a great all-rounder that will slot painlessly into the lives of its buyers and provides a useful entry point into electric motoring. Of course, we’ll always say you’d be better off getting a nice C-Class estate,”
Read review
What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“As premium SUVs go, the GLC offers a good range of engines and a pleasant interior with plenty of space for occupants. It’s the plug-in hybrid versions with their huge electric range that make it stand out above rivals, though, especially for company car drivers.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 92%
Child protection: 90%
Vulnerable road users: 74%
Safety assist: 84%
The latest generation of Mercedes-Benz GLC was awarded an impressive set of scores as part of its Euro NCAP crash safety assessment conducted at the end of 2022, and was also awarded a Euro NCAP Advanced award for its intuitive on-board tech that is not yet factor into the safety body’s assessments.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of October 2024, the Mercedes-Benz GLC has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the GLC, we’ll publish the score here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 37 mpg | D | 32 – 38 mpg | D – E |
Diesel models | 51 mpg | B | 40 – 53 mpg | B – D |
Plug-in hybrid models | 526 mpg | A | 109 – 706 mpg | A – A |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 172 g/km | C | 170 – 200 g/km | C – D |
Diesel models | 145 g/km | B | 139 – 183 g/km | B – C |
Plug-in hybrid models | 13 g/km | A | 10 – 58 g/km | A – A |
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Plug-in hybrid models | 81 miles | C | 27 – 84 miles | C – E |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 46 | D | 32 – 50 | C – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £393 | C |
Year 2 | £1,033 | D |
Year 3 | £1,725 | D |
Year 4 | £2,149 | D |
Year 5 | £2,880 | D |
Overall | £8,180 | D |
The Mercedes-Benz GLC is an expensive car to run, according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption is disappointingly poor for petrol models, and only average for diesels. The plug-in hybrid stats look good on paper, but this is largely a function of misleading EU/UK government lab tests that make every plug-in hybrid look amazing. There are no real-world situations where you’re going to get 381 miles out of a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and a bit of electricity.
Battery range on the plug-in hybrid is quite good, with an official range of 56 miles – although this depends on which model you choose. If you are able to charge the GLC every day, you may well be able to do all of your day-to-day driving purely on electrical power. On longer trips, you’ll still probably run out of charge fairly quickly.
Insurance and scheduled servicing costs for the GLC are likely to be high, especially compared to similarly-sized cars from other brands.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-Benz GLC has received.
2024
- What Car? EV Awards – Best Hybrid Family SUV
2023
- What Car? EV Awards – Best Hybrid Large SUV
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz GLC, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio | Audi Q5 | BMW X3 | BMW X4 | DS 7 Crossback | Genesis GV70 | Jaguar F-Pace | Lexus NX | Porsche Macan | Range Rover Velar | Volvo XC60
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Mercedes-Benz GLC at The Car Expert
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