A leader in the burgeoning compact, premium crossover SUV market, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class covers a wide range of price and performance points while offering some of the same luxury appointments as pricier models in this prestigious German family.
What's New for 2017
The GLC follows the unfortunate trend set by the BMW X6, complementing a traditional form factor with a slant-roofed four-door coupe – the so-called GLC-Class Coupe mirrors the standard model's trim walk. Also new is a GLC63 AMG, for crossover SUV buyers that need to get somewhere in a really big hurry.
Choosing Your Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Like the C-Class, consumers need to figure out which body style is for them. The standard GLC-Class maintains a traditional five-door, two-box design with plenty of cargo space and second-row headroom.
We don't know how much cargo space the avant garde GLC-Class Coupe will sacrifice, since Mercedes hasn't published those figures yet, but it's likely to be substantial. That second row will also be more difficult to access, owing to the plunging roofline, so if you'll routinely carry older children or adults in back, maybe go with the standard GLC.
The main optional extra is the GLC's group of Premium Packages. There are only three available, priced at $1,250 and $3,600 each, but they add a lot of desirable gear. The Premium 1 Package adds blind-spot monitoring, push-button start, and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Premium 2 Package includes all that plus navigation and LED ambient lighting, to name a few things. Premium 3 includes the first two packages and adds nearly every active safety feature in the Mercedes-Benz portfolio. At $7,200, it's a worthy upgrade.
Standalone options include a Burmester stereo, head-up display, heated and vented front seats, LED headlamps, a panoramic sunroof, and a healthy array of optional wheels, upholstery, and trims.