2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Review

Having arrived on the market in 2015 as the replacement for the GLK-Class, the Mercedes-Benz GLC has quickly become one of the most successful models in the carmaker’s SUV lineup.

In early 2019, the first generation GLC received its first facelift for the regular SUV body-style. With this new model still not available on the market, the Germans introduced in March 2019 the facelift for the coupe variant of the GLC as well.

Described as “a vehicle for individualists who attach maximum importance to extraordinary looks, the greatest possible freedom and pioneering technology,” the GLC coupe brings a revised exterior and interior, new driving assistance technologies and new engines.

1 Exterior design & Features

The exterior changes made to the model are subtle, yet noticeable. At the front, the air intakes have been modified, and the standard-fit LED High Performance headlamps and contoured diamond radiator grille reshaped.

At the rear, the main changes are the new look of the rear diffuser with underride guard and tailpipe trims and the redesigned full-LED tail lamps.

Look at from the side, the GLC coupe retained the same distinctive shape, with a dropping roofline leading into the rounded rear window. What looks a bit different are the A-pillars, which have a more pronounced slope making the roof of the car look a bit lower.

2 Interior design, features and passenger space

The interior of the GLC coupe sports, as per Mercedes-Benz, “flawless luxury and user-friendly controls.”

The design chosen features clear lines, with flowing surfaces linking the various elements together. In the center of the car, a large, one-piece console panel extends from the center air vents to the armrest.

The single piece of the interior that was significantly overhauled is the multifunction steering wheel, which will be made available in two new versions.

Also, a brand new interior color has been created for the GLC, magma grey.

3 Gadgets

The GLC coupe carries over all of the gadgets deployed in the regular version, including the deployment of the MBUX infotainment system.

The free-standing screen of the infotainment system will be available in two sizes, 7 or 10.25 inches, while the instrument cluster relies on a 12.3-inch screen. Both screens of the infotainment can be tailored in one of three modes, Classic, Sport and Progressive.

MBUX features in the GLC an Augmented Video feature that shows images captured by a camera located in front of the rear-view mirror. The information sent back to the driver directly on the multimedia display includes traffic signs information about where to make a turn, house numbers or names.

4 Performance

When it launches later this year, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC coupe will be available with five engines, two gasoline and three diesel. More units will be added at later dates.

All the engines to be deployed in the beginning are four-cylinder. The gasoline ones are enhanced by Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. Regardless of fuel, all units work in conjunction with the 4MATIC system.

The gasoline lineup comprises the GLC 200 that develops 197 hp and the GLC 300 good for 258 hp. Diesel fans are treated with the GLC 200 d, GLC 220 d and GLC 300 d with respective outputs of 163, 194 and 245 horsepower.

Fuel consumption ranges from 5.8 l/100 km (40.5 mpg) on the GLC 300 d to 7.4-7.1 l/100 km (31.7 – 33 mpg) on the gasoline engines.

5 Safety

Most of the safety features deployed on the current generation GLC coupe made it into the facelift as well, enhanced by the deployment of additional systems.

These new features include an exit-warning function, emergency-corridor function, and tail-end-of-traffic-jam function, among others. Also new is Trailer Manoeuvring Assist.

For the first time, the SUV is equipped with the Dynamic Body Control suspension with infinitely adjustable dampers for the front and rear axle.

6 Conclusion
Presently, the Mercedes-Benz lineup of SUV comprises seven models: the GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS, G-Class. Since the introduction of the first Mercedes car for this segment, the carmaker sold around five million SUVs.

The rather young GLC nameplate had, of course, an important contribution to reaching that number, and the launch the facelifted and upgraded variants for both the regular SUV and the coupe can do nothing but help future sales.