2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43

Unlike its siblings, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 comes in one and only trim which is powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine. IT belongs to the GLC Class and comes with a price tag of $59,900, this combination of beauty and beast offers a solid list of features which includes customizable ambient lighting, a Power-adjustable steering wheel column, remote keyless entry and push-button ignition, 20-inch wheels with all-season tires, dual-zone automatic control, a power-adjustable steering wheel column, cruise control, and more. Furthermore, there are numerous packages on offer as well. The AMG Night Package will bestow a deep Gloss Black on the front air-dam splitter and air-intake fins, black chrome treatment on the quad round tailpipes, and more. The Exterior Lighting Package will offer Intelligent Light System headlights and Adaptive Highbeam Assist. Lastly, the Driver Assistance Package will add an array of safety features. 

Which trim should you buy?

We think that the AMG GLC 43 SUV has enough juice provided by the turbo V6 engine to give you a thrilling and athletic driving experience. So, you can save money instead of buying the AMG GLC 63 version and either spend the extra bucks on options such as power glass panoramic roof, tri-zone automatic climate control, dashcam, wireless charging pad, and heated rear seats or you enjoy a nice long road trip with the newly bought GLC 43 SUV. 

Unlike its siblings from the GLC class such as GLC 300 which comes with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 is powered by a 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 engine that can produce 385 horsepower and a torque of 384 lb-ft. The engine is mated with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The power is sent to all four wheels by default which means better traction on different terrains. 

As for the engine, it sounds impressive but the true character comes up once you floor the pedal. It helps the GLC 43 bolts from zero to 60 MPH in 4.3 seconds and allows a quarter-mile in 13.1 seconds. These timings make AMG GLC 43 the fastest SUV in the competition. GLC 43 also comes with a selectable drive mode which brings out different personalities from the inside. But do keep in mind that, unlike other Mercs which stay gentle most of the time, GLC 43 lean more toward being sporty and rough. Which we think is something the enthusiasts are going to love.

The most powerful engine certainly belongs to the AMG GLC 43 but the BMW X3 is not very far as it has the second-highest power figures and it takes just one millisecond more to reach 60 mph from a standstill compared to the rival from the Merc. Meanwhile, both Porsche Macan S and Audi SQ5 do the 0-60 mph in 4.6 and 4.7 seconds respectively. 

How well does the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 handle?

As impressive as it is while going in a straight line, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 tackles sharp corners with the same enthusiasm. Coming to the handling aspects, the steering wheel offers excellent control, stays light weighted, and offers pretty good feedback. Yes, changing to a different driving mode does affect the steering wheel’s behavior but overall, it stays light and provides excellent control while going over complex corners. 

The GLC 43 also comes with sport-tuned air suspension that dilutes the bumps pretty well. However, the drive won’t be as smooth as other Mercedes vehicles. Finally, the AMG GLC 43 offers a refined engine that is in good sync with the transmission, a great amount of visibility, and a stable ride. 

2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 Braking Performance

The AMG GLC 43 weighs 4,180 pounds which is moderate for its class. But, do not worry since Mercedes knows how to keep its vehicles in control. That’s why the AMG GLC 43 has an efficient braking system that comes with 14.2 inches front and 12.6 inches rear disc brakes. Yes, all four discs are well ventilated and are paired with assists such as hill hold control and an anti-lock braking system. There are official braking distance data given by Mercedes. However, as per the unofficial one, the AMG GLC 43 reportedly stops from 60 mph over a distance of 115 feet.

From the above table it is clear that even if the front brakes of GLC 43 are decent in size, the rear brakes are a bit smaller than their rivals. Moreover, it is far lighter than all the other vehicles on the table. However, the Audi has the least stopping distance which varied from 104 to 113 feet. Meanwhile, the Porsche Macan S is not a bad performer either as it stops over a distance of 107 feet. Lastly, the BMW X3 requires about 114 feet to come to a halt from 60 mph. 

Powerful engine and fuel economy, not great ingredients for a classy class but the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 does a fine job regardless of the cliche ‘’sporty vehicles are too thirsty’’. It offers a mileage of 18 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highways, and 20 MPG when combined. Which is amazing for its class. Attach these figures with a fuel tank capacity of 17.4 gallons and you will get a combined range of 348 miles. 

Surprisingly, the Audi SQ5 and the Porsche Macan S share the same fuel economy figures as the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43. Meanwhile, the BMW X3 is enjoying getting crowned as the most fuel-efficient SUV in the segment. As for the fuel tank capacity, Porsche Macan S offers a bigger tank followed by Audi SQ5. Lastly, when it comes to driving range, BMW one again surpasses the others followed by Porsche Macan S and Audi SQ5.

Step inside the 2021 GLC 43 and you will see, it is as beautiful as it is powerful. The whole cabin looks mesmerizing with excellently designed curves, but please do not expect it to be on the level of S Class. The combination of aluminum accents with the MB-Tex Leatherette upholstered dashboard looks incredible. The seats are covered in the Tex/DINAMICA upholstery which can be swapped with the optional leather upholstery. The steering wheel is covered in Nappa leather and has an optional heating function. Additionally, behind the AMG Performance steering wheel, you can have an optional 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Furthermore, if you want more elegance and classy vibes in the cabin, different optional trims such as Natural Grain Grey Oakwood, Natural Grain Walnut wood, AMG Carbon Fiber trim, and more are available. 

The front seats get a 10-way power adjustment with 4-way power lumbar and memory settings. Heated front seats are standard but ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are optional. 40/20/40 split-folding bench seats are given in the second row. That aside, Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, keyless entry and ignition, Homelink garage door opener, 115V power outlet, 3 12V outlets, and 64-color LED ambient lighting are some standard cabin amenities whereas the Heat and noise-insulating front side glass and three-zone automatic climate control are optional. 

When compared to its rivals, GLC 43 offers a spacious and comfortable cabin that is somewhat similar in size to the others. However, when it comes to cargo capacity, the BMW X3 offers the lead which is followed by the AMG GLC 43, and then comes the Audi SQ5. At the same time, the smallest trunk is given on the Porsche Macan S. And, you can increase Merc’s volume by folding down the rear seat which will give you around 56.5 cu-ft of cargo space at the expense of lowering seating capacity. Highlights of the interior features are as follows:

• Power-adjustable front bucket seats with memory 
• Heated front seats 
• Power adjustable steering wheel column
• Keyless entry and push-button ignition
• MB-Tex DINAMICA upholstery
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Dual-zone automatic climate control 
• Brushed stainless steel pedals

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 has the latest MBUX system. It comprises a 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that floats on top of the center console. The display comes with clear graphics and offers an excellent response on touch. Bluetooth, HD radio, SiriusXM, voice control, two USB-C ports, aux jack, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard features in the infotainment unit while the wireless charging Head-Up Display, and In-car WiFi is optional. A 6-speaker sound system with the FrontBass system is also standard which can be upgraded to 13-speaker Burmester Surround Sound System. Lastly, the Multimedia Package adds MBUX augmented video for navigation, navigation system, and speed limit assist. Highlights of the infotainment system are:

• 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 13 speakers premium Burmester sound system
• Wireless charging
• SiriusXM satellite radio 
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
• Navigation system 

The exterior design of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 resonates with the interior. The whole vehicle from front to back looks compact and manages to attain an excellent road presence. At the front, you will find a wide chrome grille with the Merc logo in the middle. LED headlights with LED daytime running lights are preset at the front while the rear end has LED taillights, a power liftgate, and quad-exhaust outlets. If you look from the side, there are 20-inch AMG Y 5-spoke wheels with all-season tires that help the GLC 43 to stick to the ground. However, you can opt for the 21-inch wheels as well. On the top, Anodized roof rails and optional tilt cum sliding Panoramic glass roof are given. Heated power side mirrors with auto-dimming, rain-sensing wipers, and Rear Fog Lamps are other standard exterior features. Meantime, the power liftgate can be traded with an optional hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 GLC 43 is wider than Audi SQ5 and BMW X3 which favors the shoulder room inside. The longest SUV is from BMW which also has the second-largest wheelbase. Both together will help in a more comfortable ride compared to ones with shorter dimensions. The shortest wheelbase is given on the Porsche Macan S which does allow decent agility. On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 has the least ground clearance while the Audi SQ5 has the highest. Highlights of the exterior features are as follows:

• 20-inch AMG Y 5-Spoke wheels
• Power heated side mirrors with an auto-dimming feature
• Heated wiper park and defroster
• LED exterior lighting 
• Power liftgate
• Tilt and sliding panoramic glass roof

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not tested the AMG GLC 43 specifically but the IIHS has given ‘Good’ ratings and ‘top safety pick’ award to the whole GLC Class which shows that the GLC 43 will also likely receive same ratings if tested. Cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, crosswind assist, pre-safe, pre-safe sound, active brake assist with autonomous emergency braking, backup camera, parking damage detector, anti-theft alarm, and rear cross-traffic alert are some standard safety and driving assistance features. However, with the Driver Assistance Package, lane-keeping assist, active Blind Spot assist, active steering assist, adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, and more can be added. Also, a 360-degree camera system is given as an option too. For 2021 Mercedes made front and rear parking sensors standard but we think buyers should invest in the optional 360-degree camera system. Highlights of the safety features are as follows:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Forward collision mitigation system
• Lane-keeping and change assist
• 360-degree camera system
• Attention assist

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 vs 2021 Audi SQ5

Between the Audi SQ5 and Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43, the latter one has a more powerful engine and quicker acceleration. Though both SUVs share the same fuel efficiency, the SQ5 has a slightly bigger fuel tank which gives a higher range in comparison to the GLC 43. To overcome this disadvantage, Mercedes gave a bigger trunk to the AMG GLC 43. If we compare the customization freedom, the GLC Class has the edge while in terms of price, the Audi SQ5 is more attractive. 

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 vs 2021 Porsche Macan S

When stacked against Porsche Macan S, the GLC 43 offers much better acceleration and ride quality. Plus, the GLC Class SUV has higher cargo space and a powerful engine. But, do keep in mind that the Porsche Macan S offers a bigger fuel tank which results in a superior driving range. It also has less braking distance compared to the GLC 43 superior braking performance, and a list of features that can easily go against Mercedes.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 vs 2021 BMW X3 M40i

Going against the BMW X3 is tough as this rival is balanced inside out. Moreover, competition becomes fierce since the cargo capacity, performance, fuel tank space, and braking prowess of both SUVs are very close. But this opponent from BMW manages to hold the upper hand because of the cheaper price tag. Finally, higher fuel economy allows the BMW X3 to win the match fair and square. 

The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 is the top dog that offers an attractive cabin that is both oozing with quality and luxury. The occupants will experience an excellent level of comfort. Then comes the formidable performance which is again second to none. It is the fuel tank capacity that ruins the fun by reducing the driving range. Other than this we will certainly recommend going for the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43. However, if you don’t have a brand preference, keeping the BMW X3 on the list is not a bad idea either.