2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Pros

• Move that is connected and has the right amount of weight.
• Excellent ride quality, as well as peace.
• A gentle hybrid approach makes things work better and respond faster.
• The interior style and quality of the materials are outstanding.

Cons

• It takes work to find a portable charging pad.
• It can be hard to use a multimedia device.

What does the GLC-Class do? The mild hybrid system and the four-cylinder GLC 300 were both put to the test. It’s easy to speed up, and the automatic drive changes gears quickly and accurately. Our test GLC went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, which is average for a small luxury SUV with a basic engine. The speed stops when there are solid and reliable brakes that work well even when you put in a lot of effort but are still smooth and easy to use.

Undoubtedly, the extra summer tires on our test GLC made it much easier to stop and turn. Conversely, the GLC is a well-tuned car that can stay calm in turns and be quick even without extra tire grip. The steering is precise without being too easy, making you feel connected to the road without adding excess weight. We might have waxed romantic, but drive around, and you’ll understand what we mean.

How comfortable is the inside of the GLC-Class? There is enough comfort in the GLC to meet the standards of the luxury class. Mostly, the bumps aren’t too bad, and the cabin is pretty quiet. We were less interested in the front seats, though. The pillows are soft and last long, but they don’t stand out. The temperature control has excellent coverage and enough cooling power through vents in the right places.

How is the inside? The GLC’s cabin looks good and feels good to be in. The usual Mercedes features are inside, but it doesn’t stand out as much from other cars in its class as it used to. The MBUX user interface is one of the best touchscreen-based, but you might have to look through many choices to find what you need. Also, you might need to focus more on using touch-sensitive functions on the steering wheel than regular buttons and knobs.

The rest of the place looked fantastic. Large windows and carefully placed mirrors make it easier to see outside, and drivers of all sizes can make many changes to their seats. Getting in and out is easy because the doors are so big. Even though the second row is roomy, some rivals offer a reclining second-row bench that gives you more room and comfort than the GLC.

How does the tech work? In many areas, including technology, Mercedes-Benz is still the leader in its field. In our test, GLC, the Burmester sound system made the music quality great. The built-in guidance system, which now has augmented reality to make turn-by-turn directions more precise, is one of the few that can compete with popular smartphone apps. If you’d instead use the mapping apps on your phone, Mercedes-Benz has one of the best wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integrations we’ve seen. It’s laid out big, with 15 apps on each screen, so you don’t have to keep swiping to get to your best ones.

The GLC has six USB-C ports that let all connected devices charge at the same time. There is also a wireless charger in the center console. It’s functional but sometimes hard to use, especially if you have drinks in the cupholders. Mercedes voice recognition is still among the best in the business, even though other companies have probably caught up. One of the best things about it is that it can tell you almost endless “dad jokes” at will.

In most cases, the GLC’s high-tech driving aids work very well. Because it was a little jerky at times, adaptive motion control should not be used if sensitive people are on board. The blind-spot warning and lane-keeping assist, among other things, work as they should.

What’s the deal with the storage? The only things the previous GLC could have done better were the cargo room and storage inside. This year, Mercedes-Benz has made some progress in both areas. There isn’t much storage room inside, and the GLC and some of its competitors don’t make the best use of its space.

Officially, the GLC has less than average cargo room behind the back seats (21.9 cubic feet), but we found it very useful in real life while testing it. The Benz’s 40/20/40 split-folding rear seatbacks can be folded almost flat in the trunk with the push of a button. The top tether and Isofix anchors are also easy to get to if you need to add car seats. It may look a little tight behind a front passenger sitting in one of the big seats looking backward, but this is how most cars in this class are set up.

What kind of fuel economy does it have? The best thing about most of the new Mercedes-Benz compact models is that they don’t feel like lower-quality items; instead, they look like smaller versions of the company’s significant models. This is also true of the GLC, which looks classy and lasts long. The natural elegance and intense artistry come at a price, though. The Mercedes is generally one of the more expensive cars, so if you care more about value, you should look elsewhere.

In addition, Mercedes’ guarantee still needs improvement. For the length of the primary and powertrain warranties, which last four years and 50,000 miles, roadside help is available. There is no planned free upkeep.

How much is the GLC-Class worth? The EPA says the GLC 300 4Matic gets 26 mpg on the highway and in towns together. This gets 2 to 3 miles per gallon more than most SUVs of the same size. We got an excellent 27.9 mpg on the route we chose for the test, which suggests that the EPA’s estimates are correct.

We’re used to Mercedes-Benz being quietly confident. The GLC is a plain and standard Mercedes; it doesn’t do anything new. Some might be okay with that, but you can get more fame by taking a little more risk, and this is the safest and slightest move you can make. You could get away with this if the GLC were more fun to drive, but it’s not. Every day, it’s beautiful, friendly, and easy to navigate. Full of abilities. However, we expect a little more spice in our lives for this much money.

For most people, the best choice is the basic GLC 300, which comes with either rear- or all-wheel drive. Adding the Exclusive package to the base model is also a good idea. This adds a surround-view camera and guidance. If you want your small luxury SUV to perform like the AMG GLC 43 or the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance, only look at AMG models.

Models of Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2024 GLC comes in three performance versions: the GLC 300 with 255 horsepower, the AMG GLC 43 with 416 horsepower, and the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance with 671 horsepower. The base GLC 300 has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an automatic transmission with nine speeds. In 4Matic cars, power can go to either the back wheels or all four axles. Both of the AMG models have an automatic nine-speed gearbox and all-wheel drive.