A bestseller for Mercedes since its launch in 2016. A demand so high Mercedes had to put a stop to selling this car. A car which was exceptional in almost everything. A potential so strong it shook the market right away. 13,000+ Customers in India talk about themselves.
The outgoing GLC checked off all points, making it a car everyone wanted. And now the All New Facelifted 2023 GLC is #ReadyForIt to continue the legacy of the previous GLC. In my eyes, Mercedes has always been about reliability, exceptional drive quality and safety with exceptional performance. At first sight, one can notice certain upgrades to the car in terms of design and size. Add modernised technology and a luxurious interior with a minimalistic touch to it. And a few more very cool and engaging features that you wouldn't expect in a preferably mid-size SUV meant for families. But Mercedes has done a very challenging job of upgrading a car that was already a best seller and had everything it needed. The car has evolved and undoubtedly has the potential to set high standards again. Let's find out just how high it is setting the mark.
VERDICT
Mercedes took up the challenge and excelled, giving the best seller car in their portfolio a facelift and upgrades. They certainly did not fail at either, with 13,000+ customers already loving the Previous GLC. After driving the 2023 GLC, I'm certain this car will already sell like hotcakes because of its performance and comfortable drive, luxurious interiors, stylish exteriors and modernised technology. It might have a few tiny disadvantages, but nothing huge enough compared to its competitors. Get ready for the Mercedes GLC 2023 to set your standards high and shake the market!
We were in Hampi to get our hands on the New GLC 2023, a place with a lot of history and heritage, just like how the brand does. Anywhere I looked, I could see the monuments and stone structures, leaving me amazed and wondering about the history, and again just like that, anywhere I looked inside the car, I could see several upgrades.
While driving around the historic city, the car just felt so easy to drive. The powertrain makes it a smooth drive; it comes in 2 variants. I was driving the GLC 300 4MATIC petrol variant, while you also get the GLC 220d 4MATIC diesel variant. Churning out 258hp and 197hp, producing 400 Nm and 440 Nm of torque, respectively, in both variants. The car also gets a boost of 200 Nm with 45kW of power, more than the outgoing GLC. Both variants come with the 48V Integrated Starter Generator Technology (ISG), which gives out more +17kW power. Even after the 31% increase in power in the GLC 300, Mercedes has improved the fuel efficiency effectively by 15%, brought it up to 14.7km/l, and reduced the CO2 emissions by 15%.
You also get four driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sports and Individual. Making individual mode my favourite as I can personalise it according to my driving style and preferences. I didn't expect certain car upgrades, and they surprised me! The 9G TRONIC gearbox, seen in the AMG lineup, usually now comes as standard in the GLC and knowing how reliable and fast it makes the GLC package for the customers much more enjoyable. The power buildup of the car is solid for a Mid-size SUV, and I love that as you won't feel like you are driving an SUV, but at the same time, all passengers are sitting comfortably in a perfect balance. The mild-hybrid setup makes the throttle response fast yet easy-going, keeping in mind that it's an SUV meant for families; this will add excitement to the package.
Although you do not get the air suspensions, comparing it to its predecessor, whether driving at high speeds, taking sharp turns, or simply driving on Indian roads, the car sticks to the ground perfectly. The steering isn't as athletic as I would have liked, but it is decently precise, complementing the purpose of the car, but it feels very light to manoeuvre through the traffic. Mercedes took in the inputs about the outgoing GLC and made the changes for this one. You won't feel the car moving too much around the curves or driving on the highways.
When I talk about comfortable driving, you will also find a lot of electronic adjustments for the steering wheel and the seat, making it possible for anyone and everyone to drive it according to the seating positions and once we find the perfect position, you will surely enjoy the sheer driving experience of this car. The steering wheel also has paddle shifters, which gets my approval for the vehicle right there. What I do not like is the touch-sensitive screen on the steering wheel; it distracts me and forces me to constantly keep an eye out so that I do not accidentally touch anything and activate some feature or setting.
The GLC 2023 also has two engaging and exciting features: The transparent bonnet and the off-road engineering package. Personally, I like both of them as it makes the driver feel way more involved while driving. The transparent bonnet is an effective live video feed of what's below the car, especially when you have gone on an off-road adventure. You can also see the exact tyre position view up to the speed of 8km/hr. The off-road package gives the car an additional ground clearance of 20mm, and all the information is displayed on the centre display and instrument cluster. It also comes with downhill Speed Regulation. I would undoubtedly be one to use both these features while I need to go on a break between my race season.
Mercedes has gone for a minimalist and sophisticated yet very modern interior. The interior is not entirely new per say, we have seen this previously in the S class, and it has 100% taken inspiration from that. Yet I do not have anything I want to complain about as I like every bit of it. It's not too much into the face or very tacky; instead, it has the quintessential balance making it very classy, sporty and just the right amount one needs in their daily drive. Mercedes didn't back down and gave a fully digitalised cockpit, a bold move that hit the exact point. The most attractive part is the 11.9-inch infotainment screen, designed to be tilted 6 degrees towards the driver's side. The screen has ultra-high resolution and is highly responsive.
The GLC 2023 is the first SUV in the Mercedes portfolio to have the MBUX: NTG7 taking personalisation to the next level. It comes with natural voice recognition and wireless smartphone integration. You can personalise your preferences and log in to your account every time with biometric authentication. The front side of the car has an ample amount of storage right below the infotainment screen. You get two storage units with 2 C-tyre charging ports in each making it a total of 4 C-type charging ports and adjustable cup holders. You also get wireless charging space; you only have to slide your phone into one of the storage units.
The panoramic sunroof goes to the back seats making the car feel bigger and brighter. And usually, we have a small sliding button to open the sunroof, but in this car, all you have to do is glide your finger across and BOOM! Just like that, with a simple gliding of a finger, the sunroof is open. I approve of this upgrade. Talking about space, I could sit very comfortably, not just in the front seats, which are ventilated, but also in the rear seats. The use of expensive and very luxurious leather is visible.
Going to the back seats, I like a good amount of legroom space. Minimal features but all necessary ones and very comfortable. You get another 2 C-type charging ports. There are rear AC vents; unfortunately, we do not get climate control for the back seat, which is available internationally. However, you get unnecessary storage where you can't even put your phone. The rear sunblinds are an excellent touch any day. And let's not forget the ambient lights around the car with different colour combinations. The car comes with 15 Burmester High-performance speakers with 710-watt output.
Mercedes also has emphasised their energising air control, which gives out pure air inside the cabin with a 2-stage filter that detects and reduces the NOx, CO and PM2.5 levels making the air quality inside the cabin much more effective and suitable for the passengers.Going to boot space, it has increased by 70L, up to 620 litres. And if that's not enough, you can flip down the back seats with just one touch of the button and create more space, which is quite a good amount of storage for a mid-size SUV.
The car, in terms of its design and size, has improved and upgraded. The size has increased by 60 mm and 15 mm in the wheelbase, making the seating more roomier and more comfortable. Overall the car looks bigger due to its design as well. On the front, you will notice that the huge logo and chrome plating around it has remained the same from the outgoing GLC. You can see the radiator grill in all the new models of Mercedes. Coming to the headlamps are the LED high-performance lights connected to the radiator grill. There is chrome plating on the under guard skid plate on the front and rear. It carries the Mercedes look perfectly, making it a sporty and stylish design.
Going to the side, the car has artistic-looking 5-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels adding to the car's character. 360-degree cameras on the side view mirrors and one under the logo giving the live feed. Going to the rear of the vehicle, the 3-D rear lights are a perfect touch to the simple and stylish look of the vehicle. The car also has dummy exhaust tips in chrome—slight changes from the previous GLC. Overall the exterior of the car has had a facelift, and Mercedes has done an extremely good job at it.
