2.6 million. This is the record for the number of Mercedes-Benz GLCs sold globally in the last two years. The GLC is reportedly the best-selling Mercedes model. While it is the E-Class in Korea, it is the GLC on the global stage. It is the representative vehicle of Mercedes-Benz.
The GLC has been replaced with a 3rd generation model. The GLC 220d 4MATIC and GLC 300 4MATIC began domestic sales last July. It will be interesting to see if it surpasses the E-Class to become the best-selling model in Korea. Our partner for today is the GLC 300 4MATIC.
This car also grows slowly. With the model change, it has become 55mm longer and the wheelbase has also been extended by 15mm. The body length is 4,720mm, and the wheelbase is 2,890mm.
The trunk has also been expanded by 70 liters. It starts at 620 liters and can be expanded up to 1,680 liters by folding down the rear seats.
While you might say it looks smooth and sleek, it does have a substantial body, yet it has an impressive drag coefficient of 0.29. This makes sense; despite its large size with a width of 1,890mm and a height of 1,645mm, bringing the drag coefficient of such a wide SUV below 0.3 is noteworthy. It should be noted that it is not the best in class. The larger EQE SUV has a drag coefficient reduced to as low as 0.25.
The radiator grille is filled with stars. A large star is engraved in the center, and a big star is also emblazoned at the end of the hood. It’s literally a ‘world of stars’—an epitome of Mercedes-Benz pride. You need to look closely at the headlamps. They use a staggering 1.3 million micro-mirrors to optimize the brightness of the headlamps.
The 12.3-inch instrument panel and 11.9-inch LED center display, along with the head-up display, provide a plethora of information. You can choose various graphics for the instrument panel, and the head-up display also allows for different formats to be selected. Your eyes will enjoy this experience. The air vents are inspired by aircraft engine covers.
With the application of the 2nd generation MBUX, it can call forth magical functions in succession. A standout feature is the transparent hood function. If you select off-road mode and move at low speeds, you can see beneath the hood displayed on the monitor. It’s akin to wearing water goggles to see underwater, where obstacles beneath the hood are clearly visible. The transparent hood operates in off-road mode at speeds below 8km/h, and between 8-20km/h, it shows forward visibility on the central display.
The inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine is complemented by a 48V mild hybrid system. The 9-speed transmission tunes the power output to 258 horsepower. Along with power, weight is a factor to consider. With a curb weight of 1,935kg, this means it has 7.5kg for each horsepower. Weighing below 5kg per horsepower is considered light, while above 10kg is deemed heavy. Thus, it strikes a balance that is neither heavy nor light, fitting well within its class.
The 20-inch tires fill the wheel arches completely, sized 255/45R20. The sport suspension includes selective damping systems. When passing over obstacles or enduring shocks, it feels firm; however, when cruising smoothly, it remains characteristically soft and comfortable, as you would expect from a Mercedes.
As you accelerate, the power builds more gradually, pushing you forward. It is not explosive power, but high-speed driving feels unobstructed. The performance is well-rounded. The all-wheel drive system supports stable movement even during high-speed driving, yet due to the higher body characteristic of an SUV, it doesn’t completely hide the reactions of shake when impacted. If you activate sport mode and press the accelerator deeply, a very pleasing engine sound can be heard, creating quite an appealing auditory experience.
The 9-speed transmission is impressive. At 100km/h, it covers an RPM range from as low as 1,400 to as high as 5,300. The transition between the 9th gear into ‘taking off’ mode is smooth while revealing a more aggressive character in the 3rd gear. It combines the characteristics of both a gentle giant and an aggressive leader. This versatility is a hallmark of multi-speed transmissions.
The manufacturer claims the GLC 300 4MATIC accelerates to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds. After installing a GPS measuring device and testing it, the best recorded time to reach 100km/h was 7.16 seconds.
With a 2.2 turn lock-to-lock, it boasts a responsive steering ratio. Even when you shake the steering wheel left and right, the vehicle remains steady and follows your commands accurately. It turns with the boldness of an action star, yet meets corners gracefully as if dancing a waltz. It adhered faithfully to the driver’s directives for acceleration and deceleration.
The mild hybrid system serves as the most basic electrification model. It adds 17kW and 200Nm of output and torque through a 2nd generation integrated starter generator (ISG). It also enables quick and smooth engine starts. During coasting, if you brake lightly, the engine may shut off just before coming to a complete stop. This plays a positive role in efficiency. Moving smoothly, quietly, and gently will reward you with incredible fuel economy. The official combined fuel consumption is 10.8km/L, and the actual driving fuel economy on a 55km journey from Paju to Seoul was 12.6km/L.
The Driving Assistance Package Plus enhances overall quality. Active Distance Assist Distronic has improved its responsiveness up to 100km/h from the previous limit of 60km/h. Active Steering Assist now includes lane detection functionality through 360-degree cameras. Among the many features, the Active Lane Change Assist is particularly eye-catching. It monitors three lanes—the current lane and those to the left and right—and changes lanes smoothly when there is no following vehicle in the intended lane. It stops functioning if you take your hands off the steering wheel.
Although it operates naturally, the conditions are quite strict. There must be ample space, and you must not take your hands off the wheel for the lane change assist to function. Lane change assist will only operate if the situation is suitable for novice drivers. It’s still in the early stages. It may be easier to feel comfortable changing lanes manually.
To enjoy the Burmester surround sound system, composed of 15 speakers and a 710W amplifier, it is advisable to turn up the volume a bit. The nuances of guitar strings come alive while the drums stimulate your ears with both sound and resonance. The optimal condition to enjoy this car’s audio system is during comfort or eco mode at speeds between 80-100km/h. Naturally, it sounds the best when parked and listened to.
The test vehicle, the GLC 300 4MATIC, is priced at 87.1 million KRW, while the diesel engine variant, the 220d, costs 76.8 million KRW.
Oh Jong-hoon’s straightforward commentary:
The side step does not serve its purpose. It would be better to remove it. It’s designed with a narrow front and a wide rear curve, which looks good but feels awkward to step on due to its narrow width. It’s not practical for stepping and frequently gets caught when getting in and out. Removing it would ease entry and exit and could also reduce weight.
There are no USB ports in the rear seat area. To charge devices, you must use the port located in the center console of the front seat, which is inconvenient.
Oh Jong-hoon yes@autodiary.kr
