The Mercedes-Benz GLC is a compact luxury crossover SUV introduced in 2015 for the 2016 model year that replaced the GLK-Class. According to Mercedes-Benz, it is the SUV equivalent to the C-Class.

Under the vehicle naming scheme used by Mercedes-Benz, SUVs use the base name "GL", followed by the model's placement in Mercedes-Benz hierarchy. The "G" is for Geländewagen (German for off-road vehicle) and alludes to the long-running G-Class. This is followed by the letter "L" that acts as a linkage with the letter "C" to signify that the vehicle is a SUV equivalent to the C-Class.

The battery-electric model was first sold as the EQC, then as the GLC with EQ Technology and is sold now as the GLC Electric.

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First generation (X253/C253/V253; 2015)

Like its predecessor, it is assembled at Mercedes-Benz's plant in Bremen, Germany. Since the main GLC production site in Bremen already runs at full capacity, Mercedes-Benz have decided to expand the production capacity by utilizing Valmet Automotive plant at Uusikaupunki, Finland. The manufacturing of the GLC started in Finland during Q1 of 2017.

The first-generation GLC was available in a five-door body style with seating for five. Mercedes also offers a GLC Coupé, with a sloping rear roof design. In mainland Europe, it is available with three diesel engines, three petrol engines, and a plug-in hybrid. In the United Kingdom, only three diesels and one petrol AMG-model are offered.

Power comes from a choice of 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol (same engine combined with the electric engine in the 350e hybrid) and 2.2-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel engines in various power stages mated to a 9-speed (7-speed for the 350e hybrid) G-Tronic automatic transmission. 4MATIC all-wheel-drive is standard in some markets and optional in others. The GLC has a track width of in front and in the rear. Trunk volume is rated at .

In the German home market, the GLC 250 4MATIC petrol version is joined by GLC 220d 4MATIC and GLC 250d 4MATIC diesel versions along with a plug-in hybrid version called the 350e. In North America, only the GLC 300, GLC 43 AMG and GLC 63 AMG are available.

GLC L In October 2018, Beijing-Benz introduced a long-wheelbase version of the GLC exclusively for China. The overall length of is longer than the regular GLC, while the wheelbase is extended by to .

The GLC L shares the same engine range as the GLC. Three 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder options are available, with in the GLC 200 L 4Matic, in the GLC 250 L 4Matic, and in the top GLC 300 L 4Matic. All-wheel drive is standard across the range. The standard wheelbase GLC continued to be sold in China alongside the long-wheelbase model.

Powertrain Petrol GLC ModelTypePower, torque at rpmGLC 200 16V 4-cylinder turbo at 5,500, at 1,200GLC 250 4Matic 16V 4-cylinder turbo at 5,500, at 1,200GLC 300 16V 4-cylinder turbo at 5,550, at 1,300GLC 300 4Matic 16V 4-cylinder turbo at 5,550, at 1,300GLC 350e 4Matic 16V 4-cylinder turbo + Electric Motor (PHEV) at 5,550, at 1,300AMG GLC 43 24V 6-cylinder twin-turbo at 5,550, at 2,000AMG GLC 63 32V 8-cylinder twin-turbo at 5,500, at 1,750AMG GLC 63 S 32V 8-cylinder twin-turbo at 5,500, at 1,750 Diesel GLC +ModelYearsEngine- Power, torque at rpm0-100 km/h (0-62 mph)Top speedTransmissionGLC 220d 4Matic2016- 2020 16V I4-cylinder Twin turbo at 3,000, at 1,4008.3 sec210 km/hDaimler-Benz 9G-TRONIC W9A 500GLC 250d 4Matic2015- 2019 16V I4-cylinder Twin turbo at 3,800, at 1,6007.6 sec220 km/hDaimler-Benz 9G-TRONIC W9A 500GLC 350d 4Matic2016- 2020 24V V6-cylinder variable geometry turbo at 3,400, at 1,600-2,4006.5 sec230 km/hDaimler-Benz 9G-TRONIC W9A 700 Hydrogen GLC +ModelTypePower and torqueGLC F-CellElectric motor, powered by fuel cell and 13.5kWh battery, Standard features in the US include dual-zone automatic air conditioning; cruise control; Bluetooth System; 8-way power driver and passenger bucket seats; front, front side, side-curtain, and knee airbags.

Petrol GLC Coupé ModelTypePower, torque at rpmGLC 250 4Matic Coupé 16V 4-cylinder turbo at 5,500, at 1,200GLC 300 Coupé 16V 4-cylinder turbo at 5,550, at 1,300GLC 300 4Matic Coupé 16V 4-cylinder turbo at 5,550, at 1,300GLC 350e 4Matic Coupé 16V 4-cylinder turbo + Electric Motor (PHEV) at 5,550, at 1,300AMG GLC 43 Coupé 24V 6-cylinder twin-turbo at 5,550, at 2,000AMG GLC 63 Coupé 32V 8-cylinder twin-turbo at 5,500, at 1,750AMG GLC 63 S Coupé 32V 8-cylinder twin-turbo at 5,500, at 1,750 Diesel GLC Coupé +ModelTypePower, torque at rpmGLC 220d 4Matic Coupé 16V 4-cylinder turbo at 3,000, at 1,400GLC 250d 4Matic Coupé 16V 4-cylinder turbo at 3,800, at 1,600GLC 350d 4Matic Coupé 24V 6-cylinder turbo at 3,400, at 1,600-2,400

Facelift 2020 At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes unveiled the refreshed GLC as a 2020 model. New features include an updated MBUX Operating System that can be activated by saying "Hey Mercedes", new engines, a new steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch digital cockpit.

The Coupé-variant was unveiled at 2019 New York International Auto Show.

Powertrain ModelYearsDisplacementConfigurationPowerTorqueTop SpeedPetrol EnginesGLC 200 4MATIC2020–2022Inline-4 + 48V Mild Hybrid (M264 E20 DEH LA)7.9 secondsGLC 3002020–2022Inline-4 (M274 DE20 LA)6.6 secondsGLC 300 4MATIC2020–2022Inline-4 (M264 E20 DEH LA)6.2 secondsGLC 300e 4MATIC2020–2022Inline-4 PHEV5.7 secondsTBAAMG GLC 43 4MATIC2020–2022V6 (M276)4.9 secondsAMG GLC 63 4MATIC+2020–2022V83.8 secondsAMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC+2020–2022V83.8 secondsDiesel EnginesGLC 200d / GLC 200d 4MATIC2020–2022Inline-48.9 secondsGLC 220d 4MATIC2020–2022Inline-47.9 secondsGLC 300d 4MATIC2020–2022Inline-46.6 secondsGLC 400d 4MATIC2020–2022Inline-65.1 secondsGLC 300de2020–2022Inline-4 PHEV (engine) + (electric motors) (combined) (engine) + (electric motors) (combination)6.2 seconds

GLC F-CELL Daimler tested a fleet of fuel cell-powered GLC models, dubbed GLC F-CELL, which entered production in 2018. It features both fuel cells and a battery drive which can be charged externally. Apart from electricity, it also runs on pure hydrogen.

Safety

Second generation (X254/C254/V254; 2022)

The second generation GLC was unveiled in June 2022. Like the first generation, two bodystyles are available, with a traditional SUV and a coupe SUV called the GLC Coupé. Similar to the W206 C-Class, all models are equipped with four-cylinder engines with MHEV tech. Four PHEV models, which consists of three general models, and one AMG model, are available. The X254 GLC is also larger than its predecessor. The mainline GLC 4Matic models and AMG GLC43 continue to use permanent AWD with an open double-planetary type center differential. The two axles are linked by a pre-loaded two plate clutch with a locking action of 50nM. Two versions of Magna's Trumax open center differential transfer case are used. The non-AMG models use the version geared for a 45/55 front-to-rear torque split. AMG GLC43 models are offered with the more rear-biased AMG-Performance Permanent AWD, which uses a center differential geared for a 31/69 front-to-rear torque split. The AMG GLC63 uses the AMG-Performance 4Matic+ AWD. This system replaces the open center differential with an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch which enables stepless coupling of the front axle to the drivetrain. The rear axle is permanently driven. Drive torque distribution to the front axle is infinitely variable throughout the range of between 0 and 50% of total gearbox output torque.

Powertrain EnginesTypeModelEngine codeDisplacementPowerTorqueCombined system outputElectric motorBatteryTrans.Top speedLayout yearsPetrol mild hybridGLC 200M 254 I4Engine: @ 6,100 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 2,000-4,000 rpm Front motor: EQ Boost Mild Hybrid System 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic 7.8 s AWD (4Matic)2022-presentPetrol mild hybridGLC 300M 254 I4Engine: @ 5,800 rpm Frontmotor: Engine: @ 2,000-3,200 rpm Frontmotor: EQ Boost Mild Hybrid System 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic 6.2 s RWDAWD(4Matic)2022-presentDiesel mild hybridGLC 200dOM654 I4 turboEngine: @ 3,200-4,400 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 1,600-2,800 rpm Front motor: EQ Boost Mild Hybrid System 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic 8.9 s AWD(4Matic)2024-presentDiesel mild hybridGLC 220dOM654 I4 turboEngine: @ 3,600 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 2,000-3,200 rpm Front motor: EQ Boost Mild Hybrid System 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic 8.0 s AWD(4Matic)2022-presentDiesel mild hybridGLC 300dOM654 I4 turboEngine: @ 4,200 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 1,800-2,200 rpm Front motor: EQ Boost Mild Hybrid System 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic 6.3 s AWD(4Matic)2022-presentDiesel mild hybridGLC 450dOM656 I6 turboEngine: @ 4,000 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 1,350-2,800 rpm Front motor: EQ Boost Mild Hybrid System 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic 4.7 s AWD(4Matic)2023-presentPetrol plug-in hybridGLC 300e /GLC 350eM254 I4 turboEngine: @ 6,100 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 2,000-3,200 rpm Front motor: Power: Torque: Permanent magnet synchronous 31.2 kW⋅h lithium-ion 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic 6.7 s AWD(4Matic)2022-presentPetrol plug-in hybridGLC 400eM254 I4 turboEngine: @ 5,800 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 2,000-3,200 rpm Front motor: Power: Torque: Permanent magnet synchronous 31.2 kW⋅h lithium-ion 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic 5.6 s AWD(4Matic)2022-presentDiesel plug-in hybridGLC 300deOM654 I4 turboEngine: @ 3,600 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 1,800-2,800 rpm Front motor: Power: Torque: Permanent magnet synchronous 31.2 kW⋅h lithium-ion 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic 6.4 s AWD(4Matic)2022-presentAMG enginesPetrol mild hybridGLC 43M 139 I4Engine: @ 6,750 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 5,000 rpm Front motor: EQ Boost Mild Hybrid System 48 V battery 9-speed automatic MCT "Speedshift" 4.8 s AWD (4Matic)2023-presentPetrol plug-in hybridGLC 63M 139 I4Engine: @ 6,750 rpm Front motor: Engine: @ 5,250-5,500 rpm Front motor: Power: Torque: Permanent magnet synchronous 400 V, 6.1 kW⋅h lithium-ion 9-speed automatic MCT "Speedshift" 3.5 s AWD (4Matic+)2023-present

Safety

ANCAP

Euro NCAP

IIHS +IIHS scores (2024 model year)Small overlap frontGoodModerate overlap front (original test)GoodModerate overlap front (updated test)GoodSide (updated test)GoodHeadlightsGoodFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (standard system)AcceptableFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (optional system)SuperiorSeatbelt remindersGoodChild seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useGood+

TNCAP

Battery electric (X540; 2025)

The battery electric version, marketed as Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ Technology, or alternatively "electric GLC", was unveiled at the 2025 Munich Motor Show. It is offered in a sole variant, GLC 400 4Matic.

Sales Year EuropeU.S.MexicoChinaGLCCoupePHEVTotal 201517,7084,5691,046 201670,34947,7881,263 2017111,19348,6433,603 2018125,14369,7295,295 2019109,09573,6555,275 202099,16033,9873,107202174,94951,805N/A202268,11865,531N/A2023N/A40,250N/A107,1607,022114,1822024150,8872,46012153,3592025125,8335,5871,828133,248

References

External links

Official website (Germany)