Mercedes GLC - THE BEST 4x4xSTAR?

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The GLC has established Mercedes in the premium part of the mid-sized SUV segment. Now it's been improved. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
This GLC is a mid-sized SUV, but obviously one with a premium badge. In the Mercedes-Benz SUV hierarchy, it slots in just above the smaller GLA but below the brand's really luxurious and pricey 4x4s - the GLE (aimed at BMW's X5), the big 7-seat GLS and the really hard-core go-absolutely-anywhere G model. The GLC aims to combine the best of all these models and in this enhanced form is smart, efficient and very desirable.
Background
It seems strange to think that until the launch of this GLC model, Mercedes had never offered a proper compact SUV. Or at least it'd never offered one in the UK. On the Continent, the Stuttgart brand has always taken on cars like Audi's Q5 and BMW's X3 with its GLK-Class model, but this was never engineered to be produced in right hand drive. Big mistake.
It's taken a long time for the Three-Pointed Star to correct that error, but now that it has, this GLC model can take its place in the company's growing SUV line-up. It gets two frugal diesel engines and, unlike the smaller A-Class-based GLA Crossover, is mainly offered with four wheel drive. In other words, it's a proper SUV model.
Driving Experience
Mercedes has worked on making the engine range more powerful and more fuel efficient than before and the mainstream part of the line-up is based around four-cylinder units. In the mainstream range, there are two main diesel options - the 194hp GLC 220d and the 245hp GLC 300d, which get the brand's latest 2.0-litre diesel, replacing the previous 2.1-litre unit. At the top of the line-up sits the fearsome Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ which uses a 4.0-litre petrol V8 offering either 476hp or 510hp. Every GLC model is equipped with all-wheel drive. The petrol versions now use the Mercedes' EQ 48-volt mild hybrid system. Here, there's an integrated starter/alternator unit that can recover up to 10kW of energy when decelerating, which can then be deployed below 2,500prm to reduce the effort required of the combustion engine. There's also a petrol plug-in variant, the GLC 300e, which has an all-electric NEDC-rated driving range of 29 miles.
Mercedes has worked on the suspension too, introducing an updated version of its 'Dynamic Body Control' adaptive damping system which can adjust the rate of control to each of the four wheels. As before, there's also the option of 'AIR BODY CONTROL' air suspension, promising a cosseting ride when you want luxury or flat, sportscar-like handling when you're in a hurry. With an optional 'Off Road Engineering Package', you can even manually adjust ride heights through the infotainment system. For highway use, there are now more semi-autonomous driving assistance systems. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steer Assist provide even more support to help the driver to steer and to keep a safe distance.
Design and Build
First impressions are that the GLC is most definitely related to the C-Class compact executive model it's based upon. There's the same long nose and gently sloping roofline we've come to recognise, along with similar contouring down the flanks. With this revised model, subtle changes have been made to the grille, the lights and the bumpers. At the front, the re-styled headlamps feature full-LED tech, while the daytime running lights feature an extended 'C' shape. The smarter bumper features reshaped vents to either side of the main intake. At the sides, chrome elements span the length of the lower sills, and smarter alloy wheel designs range from 17 to 20 inches. Around the back, the tail lights - also featuring LED tech - get a smarter lighting signature, and sit above a reprofiled bumper.
Inside, the GLC now gets the latest version of Mercedes's MBUX infotainment system. This means that the centre-dash display, which has grown from 8.4 inches to 10.25 inches, is now touch sensitive, and can respond to both gesture and more detailed voice commands. A 12.3-inch digital driver's instrument binnacle display is now offered in place of the previous car's analogue gauges, and its three sections can be customised to display different information. These menus can be accessed through the updated steering wheel, which features a mix of physical and touch-sensitive controls first seen on the E-Class. The cabin also features a couple of new material options, including two new wood finishes for the dashboard. Boot space is up to 580-litres seats up - nearly 100-litres more than the C-Class - while seats down, this becomes a cavernous 1600-litres.
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