Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe review (2016-2023)
Take Mercedes’ high-quality mid-range SUV, add some sporty styling and tweaks, plus a few pounds on the price tag, and you get the GLC Coupe. It’s comfortable, beautifully built and has a premium interior. The Coupe looks more exciting and distinctive than its standard sibling – although you trade internal space for that fastback roofline. Find out what it's like to drive in our road-tested Mercedes GLC Coupe review.
)
Pros
- Appealing coupé design
- Plush interior
- Strong engine choices
Cons
- Rear headroom takes a hit
- Not the best rearward visibility
Interior
Our rating: 8/10
Mercedes cars have some of the best interiors and the GLC is a great example. The Coupe shares the more upright sibling’s interior design.
It feels like a durable, premium cabin. Switches click positively and surfaces feel plush and finely finished.
Driving position
It’s roomy in the front. Two adults can be comfortable in the back. It’s a bit more cramped if they’re tall or you try to fit a third passenger in the rear.
Alongside the impressive front sports seats, multiple powered adjustments arranged on the door panel make it easy for drivers to find the perfect seating position.
Tech and features
After five years on sale, all GLC models had a minor refresh in 2020 that updated the cabin technology.
The big change was a new 10-inch touchscreen display at the centre of the leather-trimmed dashboard.
The driver can have digital instruments and displays in front of the flat-bottomed steering wheel too.
This wheel is now jammed with fingertip controls for infotainment and cruise control to save you from taking your eyes off the road.
Standard luxuries include automatic wipers, climate control and a reversing camera, which is very handy with the restricted vision caused by the Coupe tail.
High-end extras are available including wireless charging systems, superior stereos and panoramic glass sunroofs.
Performance
Our rating: 9/10
Handling and ride comfort
All Mercedes GLC Coupes are smooth and refined to drive.
Their driving character offers more of a swift grand touring experience than being a nippy point-to-point street racer.
Sportier versions can come with a firmer suspension system. Others can be specified with a sophisticated adaptable air suspension for a cushioned ride.
All models have good cornering without being in the hot hatch or full sports car league.
Engines and power
The engines are powerful and refined, and some are very rapid.
The choice of engines is a little confusing with similar units available tuned to produce different power ratings.
These changed with the 2020 makeover. Check the model specs to see which one you’re looking at.
Whatever you have, it’s always composed and comfortable.
Practicality
Our rating: 6/10
Rear seats
Like every Coupe in the world, the GLC makes a compromise.
Compared to the normal GLC, the sleek, downward-sloping rear roofline gives it a more inspiring look – but robs rear-seat occupants of head and leg room and reduces the size of the boot.
Boot space
It’s not a bad space though, offering a good average hatchback boot accessed by a big, high tailgate.
Flatten the split back seats and there’s an impressive load space on offer. As an up-market range, expect plenty of optional extras.
Some models may have very handy features fitted like 360-degree camera systems for bump-free parking and a keyless system for convenient starts.
Running costs
Our rating: 7/10
Fuel economy
The GLC Coupe has a complex array of diesel, petrol and hybrid engines with various fuel figures. It’s not a notably economical range.
The best is a basic diesel with official figures of 57mpg but other diesels and even more recent versions of the same engine have lower figures so check first.
Petrol models are faster but thirstier with combined fuel figures in the low 20s.
Insurance groups
Tax, insurance and maintenance will be above average.
Reliability
Mercedes’ reputation for reliability is surprisingly below average but the GLC models appear to be better than most of the brand’s offerings.
The verdict
Interior
8/10
Performance
9/10
Practicality
6/10
Running costs
7/10
The GLC Coupe offers a blend of prestige, performance and practicality.
It’s a comfortable and sporty five-door SUV crossover wearing the all-important Mercedes badge.
All the engines are powerful and refined. Diesels are thrifty, petrol more rapid and hybrid versions offer reduced emissions.
The GLC range always has a premium interior and standard hatchback versatility – the Coupe adds style to the package.
If you're after a more practical SUV, the regular GLC SUV offers a more usable space, as do some of the GLC Coupe's rivals.
Similar to the review
