2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé First Drive Review
Those who prefer opulent SUVs that offer a fastback shape as well as high-riding comfort now have the new premium Mercedes-Benz to consider: The facelifted GLC Coupé has launched and it drives like a dream, but what else should you be getting excited about?
Just under a year after the launch of the swanky GLC, Mercedes-Benz brings out their sensuously shaped Coupé version for discerning, well-heeled South Africans. We braved the City of Cape Town's congested highways to drive the handsome newcomer this week.
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What’s new?
The GLC Coupe’s striking exterior is the best part and the biggest drawcard for people who don’t mind sacrificing a bit of practicality to drive a more sporty-looking set of wheels with a myriad of expressive highlights. “Thanks to its attractive, clean-cut design and carefully considered technical developments, the new GLC Coupé makes a bold statement on any terrain," says the brand.
Exterior styling and design
The GLC Coupé’s front-end looks more aerodynamic and athletic, featuring the gorgeous Mercedes-Benz patterned grille as standard, flanked by new headlamps that emphasise its width. Digital light projector headlamps can be specified to alleviate night blindness.
At the rear, the Coupé is endowed with two-piece LED taillights that further enhance the car's muscular stance and width, creating a lifted effect. The GLC Coupé also gets a massive panoramic sliding sunroof to let the rays in when needed or for watching raindrops.
The side view is arguably the most fetching; after all, this is why people opt for coupés. Three words that spring to mind are slick, suave and streamlined. The running boards’ design has also been tweaked to be more in tune with the rest of the GLC Coupé’s design and looks beautifully integrated. The Coupé derivative is also slightly lower and a smidge longer than its non-coupé stablemate.
The GLC Coupé is available in two trims: Avantgarde and AMG Line, but the Night Package can be specified on AMG Line models for a more mysterious ambience. Key features for the Avantgarde (entry-level) and AMG Line as well as the Night Package exteriors can be seen here.
Inside the new Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé
Scooting into the front passenger seat first allowed me to re-familiarize myself with the posh interior.
If you read my GLC launch report from last year (2023) here, you’ll see that the setup in the Coupé is also privy to a 12.3-inch driver display (with a selection of view choices), the voice-controlled MBUX multimedia system with a mammoth central display, and a head-up display. The system can be overly complex in some ways and misunderstand your speech at times, but it will get to know you and learn what you usually order it to do the longer you use it.
When chosen, the central screen not only showcases your selected satellite navigation route but also provides Mercedes' useful Augmented Reality feature, presenting real-time driving instructions in a realistic view overlaid onto the road ahead. This feature enhances navigation accuracy and ease of use.
Additionally, for those who frequently tow trailers, the Trailer Manoeuvring Assist offers a convenient semi-autonomous reversing capability, which is also displayed in the MBUX central screen. With this feature, drivers only need to control the accelerator and brake pedals while the car autonomously handles the rest of the operation.
Luxurious interior accents, including metal-finish door handles and pinstriped/open-pore wood or leather-lined dashboards (AMG Line), elevate the ambience, creating an opulent atmosphere that makes Mercedes-Benz owners feel truly special.
All in all, the GLC’s cabin is a safe and luxurious haven, away from all the noise and harshness of the outside world.
Related: GLC Coupé pricing and specification revealed
Space
The two front seats offer sufficient legroom and the generous width means that you don’t have to sit too close to your co-driver if you don’t want to. Visually and physically, though, the dashboard design creates a cosy and cossetting ambience, so much so that I adjusted my seat so I could sit a little higher for a better view of the road ahead.
As for the view through the rear window, it’s rather limited, so the optional surround view cameras are worth their weight in gold for safe manoeuvring, although the parking/proximity sensors do sometimes kick up a fuss when there isn’t much of a threat. Rear-view cameras, along with parking sensors in the front and back, are standard on all models.
Despite the sloping roofline, the second row offers more headroom than expected and legroom is generous too, and passengers’ feet won’t feel cramped riding in the back.
The boot space in the GLC Coupé amounts to 545 litres, while the non-coupé model boasts 620 litres, and the former is ample for what you’ll use it for on a daily basis or when you go away for the weekend with your little ones in tow. It may be a bit lacking when you’re off on a 2-week family holiday jaunt over December, however, but in the same breath, it does offer 45 litres over its predecessor.
Driving the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé
After adjusting my electronic seat to my preferred position, I found that the GLC Coupé is also equipped with standard features like lane keep assistance, active brake assist, and lane departure warning—plus, our test models had adaptive cruise control specified, making it essentially capable of driving itself (up to what local legislation allows, of course). Additionally, the car operates so quietly that you'll hardly notice the hum of the engine.
Acceleration is smooth and brisk, steering is light and responsive and gets meatier once you get out on the open road, and of course, if you select a sportier driving mode. With the climate control set to its lowest, most powerful setting, we confronted the streets of a 37-degree Cape Town with our Satnav’s live traffic updates and route guidance, taking us on interesting, albeit quieter, routes to our destination. In the new GLC Coupé, you also have the option of saying, “Hey Mercedes, start Tourguide” for a more immersive travel experience where the AI lady will suggest and offer information on points of interests.
All GLCs have sport suspension but the Coupé version features a new four-link suspension up front and a multi-link independent rear suspension mounted to a subframe. Our launch route was very traffic-laden, and only en route to the airport and back did I really have the opportunity to put my foot down a bit as we flitted through traffic with impressive dexterity. The smoothness of it all was what impressed me the most—driving and operating the vehicle is just so effortless. (Should you opt for the Engineering Package, you’ll also get adaptive air suspension and turning-circle-reducing rear-axle steering.)
All models are 4MATIC (i.e., four-wheel-driven) and aren’t afraid to go off the beaten track with a variety of new onboard equipment that makes this possible, including the transparent bonnet, which is also in the garden-variety GLC.
The GLC Coupé's zesty engine obliges instantly when you prod the accelerator, due in part to the electric power boost from its mild-hybrid system that makes the diesel models feel very petrol-like, and overall, handling is top-notch. We put both the 220d and 300d models to the test; both make do with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel powertrain that includes a silky-smooth 9-speed automatic transmission. (Petrol models won’t be joining the range, according to the brand.)
The 300d hits the 100 km/h mark from 0 in a swift 6.4 seconds, while the 220d catches up with a sprint time of 8.1 seconds.
This table includes the power and torque specifications for each model, taking into account the boost from the mild hybrid system:
| Model | Power (kW) | Torque (Nm) |
|---|---|---|
| GLC220d coupe 4Matic Avantgarde | 162 (145 + 17 e-boost) | 440 (with 200 e-boost) |
| GLC300d coupe 4Matic Avantgarde | 215 (198 + 17 e-boost) | 550 (with 200 e-boost) |
| GLC220d coupe 4Matic AMG Line | 162 (145 + 17 e-boost) | 440 (with 200 e-boost) |
| GLC300d coupe 4Matic AMG Line | 215 (198 + 17 e-boost) | 550 (with 200 e-boost) |
Buying used? Find out if the Mercedes-Benz GLC (2020) good for families
Fuel consumption
Claimed fuel consumption figures are low but if you’re driving in heavy traffic and hilly areas like we did, don’t be surprised if you see usage of 8.8 litres per 100 km for the 220d and 9 litres per 100 km for the 300d on the Comfort setting.
Related: Which GLC is best - diesel or petrol?
It’s on road trips where your GLC Coupé’s fuel economy will shine, though; in the non-coupé GLC, we’ve had figures as low as 5.5 litres per 100 km, and you’ll have the peace of mind that your range will be well over 1000 km if you like long journeys with minimal stops.
Pricing
The GLC kicks off at an eye-watering R1 398 422 for the entry-level GLC 220d Coupé 4MATIC Avantgarde model. Second up is the GLC300d Coupe 4MATIC Avantgarde for 1 454 940, while the AMG Line model, the GLC220d Coupe 4MATIC, will cost R1 483 322.
At the top of the pecking order is the GLC 300d Coupé 4MATIC AMG Line at R1 539 840.
Our top pick? The GLC 220d Coupé 4MATIC Avantgarde will do nicely, and my colleague Chad will probably agree, as he picks the entry-level model too in his 2023 GLC review.
Competitors
In this segment, rivals like the Audi Q5 Sportback 40TDi quattro Advanced (R 1 081 000) and its quattro S line brother (R 1 120 000) can’t be ignored, as they undercut the GLC Coupé’s price tag by quite a bit.
Then there’s another Bavarian, the BMW X4, with a starting price of R1 187 894 for the xDrive20d version, R1 227 894 for the xDrive20d M Sport, and R1 598 146 for the petrol-powered X4 M40i.
The Porsche Macan’s pricing starts off at R 1 296 000, while the T model will set you back R 1 418 000 and the S goes for R 1 555 000. (Read about the new electric Macan here).
But, when you’re shopping in this price bracket, does an extra R200k really make that much of a difference? Die-hard Mercedes-Benz fans probably won’t pay much attention to what’s available elsewhere and stick to what they know and love: that coveted Benz badge, and in 2024 GLC Coupé guise, they’ll be smitten.
ENDS
