The Mercedes-Benz GLC300 Coupe may be less practical than its SUV sibling, but it trades functionality for sportier styling and better handling.
This is a Mercedes GLC but with a tapered roofline. We’re into second-generation territory now, and given that this particular SUV is one of the firm’s best sellers these days, a follow-up coupe-ified variant was inevitable.
Its biggest rival is the BMW X4, but it also competes with the Audi Q5 Sportback, the Range Rover Evoque and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe.
Quite the competition lineup it seems, but is the GLC300 Coupe the top dog of the pack?
High-riding Prowler
Local-bound units of the GLC Coupe get a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The 300-spec endows 255bhp and 400Nm of torque, with four-wheel drive coming as standard. This enables the GLC to clock a century sprint time of just 6.3 seconds.
All of this power is sent via a 9G-Tronic gearbox. The gears are fantastic when you’re cruising and conversing fuel, keeping the revs low, but can be slightly tricky to sync with when you’re gunning the throttle.
More often than not, you’ll need to rev to at least 3,000RPM to see the turbo spool up and the engine kick into life with enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, the start-stop mild hybrid functionality is smooth, but the gearbox can be rather hesitant when pulling away. There’s some noticeable lag between you putting your foot down and the car lurching forward; something a lot of recent Mercs have suffered from.
Unlike its SUV dizygotic twin, the GLC Coupe gets four-link front suspension and a multi-link independent rear set-up. The fancier option is really rather good indeed, impressively ironing out imperfections in the road while offering good body control.
Despite the low driving position, forward visibility is still great, however, the view out of the back window is terrible on account of that sloping roofline.
On test, the GLC Coupe managed 10.7km/litre with a mix of highway and city driving. Decent numbers for an AWD SUV, and more than enough to keep refueling trips to a weekly affair.
Upmarket Athletism
Consumers can’t seem to get enough of SUVs and crossovers, but there’s a growing chorus of discontent with the boxy shapes.
Enter the coupe SUV – a ‘solution’ for those who crave the space and flexibility of an SUV but want something sleeker and sportier. The Mercedes GLC300 Coupe embodies this trend perfectly, with its curvier lines and more dynamic profile compared to its boxier sibling.
The GLC Coupe’s design is all about flair. Its sloping roofline gives it a fastback-like appearance. Mercedes has also added unique taillights and a distinctive rear light signature to make the Coupe stand out even more.
Plus, the Coupe is slightly longer and lower than the standard GLC, giving it a more athletic and aggressive stance on the road.
It’s a smart move by Mercedes, catering to those who want the best of both worlds – the practicality of an SUV and the stylishness of a coupe.
Tri-Pointed Luxury
It feels very familiar in the cabin of the GLC Coupe, particularly if you’ve driven the current GLC SUV with which it is largely identical, or tried the previous generation SUV/coupe.
Indeed, the biggest talking point is the 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen which envelopes the centre console. This was previously where the physical switchgear sat that controlled the climate settings.
The driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, while the steering wheel gains two more spokes and now gets fiddly touch-sensitive pads in place of the old physical buttons and rotary controllers.
Updated cabin materials are of a distinctly higher quality, and there are abundant soft-touch surfaces. Mercedes-Benz is probably the global leader now in terms of ambient lighting, and the GLC doesn’t disappoint in this department.
However, what is slightly off the mark is the MBUX 2.0 (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. Mercedes claims it is more user-friendly than its predecessor, and while that is true, the system can still be disorientating to individuals who are unfamiliar with the UI.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are at least available, so you don’t have to worry about sticking to the proprietary system should you wish to use your favourite smartphone apps. Plus, you can pop your phone into the included wireless charging pad.
It’s certainly very comfortable up front and adequate for two adults in the back, though as ever with coupeified variants you do suffer slightly for rear headroom. Anyone over 1.8 metres tall is likely to brush their head on the carpeted roofline.
The tapered roofline also inhibits boot space slightly; you now get 545 litres with the seats up and 1,490 litres with the seats down. Not too bad overall, but the SUV sibling gets 620 litres and 1680 litres respectively. Though, the back glass does open along with the tailgate, making it easy for cargo ingress.
An interesting transition
The second-generation GLC Coupe, much like its standard SUV counterpart, is more about evolution than revolution.
It’s a vehicle that prides itself on style, trading off headroom, boot space, and rear visibility for that sleeker, more aerodynamic roofline. It’s the kind of car that’ll turn heads and have your neighbours green with envy.
But, would you trade practicality for looks? Regardless of which you’d pick, having both options available means the GLC will continue to be a fan favourite.
Technical Specifications
Mercedes-Benz GLC300 Coupe 4MATIC
Engine: 1,999cc in-line 4 turbocharged, Turbocharged
Power: 190kw (255bhp)
Torque: 400Nm
Gearbox: 9-speed G-Tronic (A)
0-100km/h: 6.3 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 246km/h
Fuel Economy: 12.8km/L (claimed)
Price: S$399,888 (AMG Line) with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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