Mercedes-Benz GLC-class should be on your consideration list. Its sheetmetal is conservatively styled and carefully tailored. The GLC shares its platform with the competent C-class sedan, and much of the GLC’s interior design and infotainment tech carry over from its sedan sibling. The cabin is comfortable and assembled from high-quality materials. A 255-hp turbocharged four-cylinder comes standard and is hooked up to a nine-speed automatic and rear drive, with all-wheel drive an option.
What’s New for 2025?
No major changes are coming to the nonhybrid GLC-class lineup this year, but a plug-in-hybrid GLC350e (reviewed separately) is new for 2025. A new AMG Lite package—not to be confused with the existing AMG Line package—has been added to the options sheet and adds unique 20-inch wheels and a body-color rear spoiler. Verde Silver Metallic and Alpine Grey exterior paints join the color palette and a faux-leather steering wheel option is also now available.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class starts at $50,400 and goes up to $54,550 depending on the trim and options.We’d go with the midrange Exclusive trim, which adds several niceties that are well worth the price increase. Those features include in-dash navigation, a 360-degree exterior camera system, a multicolor interior ambient lighting system, and a premium Burmester stereo system. The GLC comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available on all trims as an option.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon |
| Base / As-Tested Price | $50,250 / $65,950 |
| Options | Pinnacle Trim, AMG Line, Driver Assist, etc. (Full list in description) |
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
All GLC300s are powered by a smooth-running turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A 48-volt hybrid system helps augment the powertrain, which is good for 255 horsepower. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is rear-wheel drive, and Mercedes’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is optional. The GLC’s road manners are less engaging than rivals such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the Porsche Macan as its focus is on smoothness and isolation rather than athleticism. The steering lacks feel, but when driven briskly into a corner, the Mercedes comes out the other side just fine; it just doesn’t entertain in the same way some of its rivals do.
0–60-MPH Times
The all-wheel-drive GLC300 we tested hit 60 mph in a respectable 5.6 seconds, though that result lags behind both the Stelvio and the Macan.
| Engine Type | Turbocharged DOHC 16-valve inline-4 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1991 cm³ (122 in³) |
| Power | 255 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates that the all-wheel-drive GLC-class is good for 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, with the rear-wheel-drive model offering slightly better numbers at 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. When we get a chance, we’ll take the GLC300 on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route and publish its results here. For more information about the GLC-class’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The GLC-class’s cabin wears nicely chosen upscale materials and a modern design with interestingly shaped air vents on the dashboard and heavily digitized control of the infotainment and HVAC systems. The steering wheel features irksome touch-sensitive control buttons for many of those same functions. All GLCs come standard with heated front seats with memory settings and adjustable lumbar support. Ambient lighting, a power-operated sunroof, and a power rear liftgate are also standard. Like other Mercedes models, the GLC-class can be heavily optioned with a host of features, including a panoramic sunroof, illuminated doorsill plates, ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and leather upholstery.
| 0–60 mph | 5.7 sec |
|---|---|
| 1/4-Mile | 14.4 sec @ 95 mph |
| 100 / 120 mph | 16.2 sec / 26.7 sec |
| Rolling Start (5–60 mph) | 6.6 sec |
| Top Gear 30–50 / 50–70 mph | 3.6 sec / 4.5 sec |
| Top Speed (mfr) | 130 mph |
| Braking 70–0 mph | 161 ft |
| Skidpad (300-ft) | 0.88 g |
Infotainment and Connectivity
Mirroring the offerings in the C-class sedan, the GLC comes standard with Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX infotainment setup. A 12.3-inch digital gauge display relays important mechanical and speed information. An 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen swoops up from the center console and is canted ever so slightly toward the driver. The system can recognize voice commands and features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In-dash navigation is optional, and it comes with an augmented reality feature that overlays directions via an image of the road ahead on the display. Other notable optional features include a head-up display and a Burmester premium stereo system. There are no physical buttons for the HVAC system, nor is there a knob for the audio volume; the systems are controlled through the touchscreen, which in our view is a step backward in user-friendliness.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mercedes-Benz provides competitive warranty coverage compared with premium rivals. However, the German automaker doesn’t offer the complimentary maintenance that BMW and Jaguar do.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
