2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class comes in two trims excluding the AMG models which come with different engines and are much more powerful. The two trims are basically the same and the only difference is that the GLC 300 is 2WD whereas the GLC 300 4Matic is an AWD model. The GLC Class is a well-equipped model with all sorts of basic luxury features present inside the cabin as standard. 

Both models could also be equipped with an AMG Line Package that costs $1,600 and comes with AMG body styling along with 19-inch AMG twin 5-spoke wheels and a lot more sportiness on the inside including Sport front seats, steering wheel, and interior appointments. This package could further be equipped with the Night Package whereas the other available packages include the Exterior Lighting Package, Premium Package, Multimedia Package, and the Driver Assistance Package. The following table shows the main standout features as well as the price of the 2021 GLC Class- 

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The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic trim would be the best option. It comes with the added stability and traction of AWD which would be a capable addition for a crossover SUV. The AMG Line package would be a great addition to enhance the overall beauty while adding some sportiness inside out. The GLC without any packages, in the base trim itself, is an impressive vehicle offering great comfort and performance.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has an efficient 9-speed transmission as we discussed earlier and it functions efficiently along with the powertrain to provide a respectable fuel economy. The GLC Class delivers fuel efficiency of 21mpg in the city, 28mpg on the highway, and a combined efficiency of 23mpg. These figures are good, but definitely not the best in the segment, and combined with a lower fuel capacity of 17.4 gallons, the range we get from this machine is not the best. It offers a range of 365 miles in the city and around 487 miles on the highway while a range just below 400 miles can be expected in combined road and driving conditions. 

The BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 are extremely competitive in terms of fuel efficiency and come with a combined fuel economy of 25mpg. The Volvo and the Mercedes follow with slightly lower efficiency figures whereas the Audi provides the most range combined with its higher capacity fuel tank. The Volvo XC60 even though it has the largest fuel capacity remains below the Audi in terms of combined range.

The interior of the GLC Class is roomy and elegant with all the comfort and luxury provided as standard features with many others available as options. The interior features a Natural Grain Brown Ash wood trim while available options include Dark Brown Linden wood, Natural Grain Grey Oak, Natural Grain Walnut, and Natural Grain Black Ash wood and aluminum trims. The seats are also covered in leather while designo Platinum White Pearl/Black Nappa leather is an available option. 

The GLC-Class has a spacious interior with enough space on offer. The seats are comfortable and offer plenty of adjustment options along with heating and ventilation options. There is also an optional 3-position memory system available for the seats to further personalize the driving experience. The interior also comes with plenty of customization options including a sport steering wheel and sport front seats. However, the cargo capacity provided by the GLC is not quite spacious enough compared to the roomy cabin.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC Class comes with a roomy and super high-quality cabin with premium materials all around the cabin. All of the competition, especially the BMW and the Audi comes with a luxurious cabin that is on par with the Mercedes. When it comes to interior space, the Volvo is the most spacious. The XC60 also offers the best cargo area measuring 29.7 cu-ft while the Mercedes provides the least space. The following are the standout interior features inside the GLC Class-

• Heated and ventilated power front seats with driver-seat memory
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Available Sport front seats
• Heat and noise-insulating front side glass
• 3-position memory for the passenger seat
• Heated steering wheel and rear seats
• Leather upholstery

How intuitive is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC Class’s infotainment unit?

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Class comes with analog gauges with a high-resolution multifunction display along with a 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia display featuring the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment interface. The instrument cluster can also be further upgraded to a 12.3-inch fully digital unit which looks even better. The optional features also include a Heads-Up Display and a Burmester Surround sound system consisting of 13 speakers and a 590-watt 9-channel digital amplifier.

The following are some of the most important infotainment features in the GLC Class-

• 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia display
• Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX)
• Voice Control with Natural Language Understanding
• "Hey, Mercedes" keyword activation
• Steering wheel with Touch Control Buttons
• Touchpad controller
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
• Dual USB-C audio ports

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Class is one the best-looking crossovers in the segment not just on the inside but also when looked at. The exterior features a sleek and stylish design language with a long hood and a rounded overall body. It is muscular, sporty, and elegant at the same time. The front end features a beautiful-looking grille that somehow stands out from the whole profile of the front end and can be further made flashy by opting for a Chrome diamond-block grille. 

The 2021 Mercedes GLC Class comes with 18-inch split 5-spoke alloy wheels as standard while there are a plethora of available options including 5, 10, and multispoke alloys of sizes ranging from 18 to 20 inches. The GLC also features a privacy glass consisting of deep-tinted windows for the rear doors which provides a more secluded travel experience. The GLC being a crossover SUV doesn’t come with much higher practicality in terms of ground clearance as Mercedes only offers 5.0-inches of clearance. 

The Volvo is the one with the best ground clearance offering the most practicality over rough patches of the road whereas the Merc has the least. However, none of these vehicles are meant to be proper offroaders and none of them are so. The Mercedes GLC however, is the least weighing vehicle among all of these, and that also contributes to the superior speed of the GLC. The following are some of the standout exterior features of the GLC Class-

• Anodized roof rails
• 18-inch split 5-spoke wheels
• Gloss Black exterior accents
• Optional 20-inch AMG Y 5-spoke wheels
• Privacy glass
• Panorama roof

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC Class is manufactured with greater use of aluminum along with high-strength and ultrahigh-strength steel, which Mercedes claims to improve the rigidity and structural integrity very much. The GLC Class also features the PRESAFE set of safety tech that prepares the vehicle and occupants if an imminent crash is detected by the system. 

Along with this the vehicle also features a set of many standard safety features including Active Brake Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Assist with Exit Warning Assist, and Crosswind Assist along with many other optional features. Both NHTSA and IIHS have tested and given the GLC super impressive safety ratings including a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA and the Top Safety Pick award from IIHS which also means that the GLC is an amazingly safe luxury crossover. The following are some of the most exclusive safety features-

• PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
• Congestion Emergency Braking
• Active Speed Limit Assist
• Active Lane Change Assist
• Active Blind Spot Assist
• Active Lane Keeping Assist
• Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC Class vs 2021 BMW X3

The Mercedes GLC and the BMW X3 are head-to-head competitors offering superb performance. The GLC is, however, the superior performer under many parameters including speed, interior comfort, and space. However, the BMW dominates in terms of handling, cargo capacity as well as fuel efficiency. Based on looks both of them are pretty amazing and the choice should be based on individual preference while our opinion inclines towards the Merc. 

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC Class vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 is a very capable contender to the GLC Class, and it is the one that holds up very well to the Merc in terms of performance. The Audi is a bit more spacious than the Mercedes while also offering quite more cargo capacity and fuel economy. The Q5 is also significantly cheaper compared to the Mercedes making it a great option and comparatively a better choice than the Mercedes GLC Class.

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC Class vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The Mercedes is the more athletic option while the Volvo is the more spacious and practical option offering more space on the inside as well as better fuel efficiency. The Mercedes however, is the faster and better-performing machine offering superior handling. It is also the more engaging one to drive and has a more luxurious and premium interior. All of this makes the GLC Class the better option than the XC60.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is a superb competitor in the luxury crossover SUV segment. The GLC-Class has a luxurious and premium interior of superior build quality along with impressive performance and respectable fuel economy. It also looks amazing from the outside with its sleek and classy looks. The GLC is also a super safe vehicle offering a lot of safety and driver assistance features and the safety ratings awarded to it by both agencies further concretes it. Overall, the GLC-Class is an amazing machine offering superb performance and impressive ride quality.