The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC offers more power, added features
A new look with upgraded features.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC shows off a new look and new features designed to maintain the popularity of the brand’s best-selling U.S. model. It offers a wide range of choices from body styles to engines along with the comfortable and elegant interior expected of a luxury car.
The GLC is sold as both a coupe and SUV, but the definition of a coupe here is different. Rather than a two-door version of a sedan, the GLC coupe is a 4-door version of the SUV with a more sloped roofline. It creates a sportier, sleeker look compared to the more squared-off styling of the SUV.
In its SUV form, the GLC 300 is available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive powered by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. There’s also the performance-oriented AMG lineup. This includes the GLC 63, which gets a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine with 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Both are paired to 9-speed automatic transmissions.
If you prefer the sleeker lines of the coupe, there’s the GLC 300, offered in all-wheel drive only, with power coming from the same engine found in the SUV. Likewise, the AMG GLC 63 coupe gets the same engine as the AMG GLC 63 SUV. Where the offerings differ is with the AMG GLC 63 S coupe.
This is the most performance-focused trim of the lot. It gets a specially tuned version of the 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine with 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Those who crave a truly sporty, performance experience will find it behind the wheel of the AMG GLC 63 S coupe.
There are two additional powertrains that are set to join the lineup a bit later. These include the plug-in hybrid GLC 350e and the GLC 43 SUV and coupe.
Inside both the coupe and SUV there’s ample room for five passengers in a luxurious and elegant interior. Heated, power front seats with driver’s memory, dual-zone climate control, and a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters are standard.
While even base models boast rich trims that are warm and attractive, as you move up through the range the available color palettes and choice of wood trims increase to create a more upscale environment.
The roomiest option is found in the SUV with its higher roofline, but even the coupe is a spacious choice with a rear seat that easily carries three adults. Even the six-foot-tall crowd will find enough space to comfortably sit in the back of the coupe without their heads brushing the roof or their knees pressing uncomfortably into the backs of the front seats.
There’s also a cargo difference between the two body styles. Those who put a priority on cargo will want to take a closer look at the SUV which boasts 19.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 56.5 cubic feet behind the front seats. Those numbers drop to 17.7 and 49.4 respectively if you go with the coupe.
Infotainment gets an upgrade across the board with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). There are plenty of options for controlling the system including a touchpad, touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and next-generation voice control that’s activated by saying, “Hey, Mercedes.” The touchscreen measures a healthy 10.25 inches and includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on every trim.
The GLC includes a wide array of standard and available safety features. Standard features include brake assist, blind spot assist with exit warning assist, crosswind assist, and attention assist. Additional available features make a lengthy list and include active steering assist, evasive steering assist, congestion emergency braking, active emergency stop assist, active blind spot assist, active park assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Pricing for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV starts at $42,500 with an additional $2,000 for all-wheel drive. The improved performance offered by the GLC 63 SUV comes at a price of $73,750.
The GLC 300 Coupe, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, is priced at $50,000. The GLC 63 Coupe runs $76,500 while the GLC 63 Coupe S tops the range at $84,100. Look for the full lineup to arrive in dealerships later this year.
