Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV Review Highlights:

• 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC: $47,100 – $53,450
• Pros: The Mercedes-Benz GLC has an elegant interior, smooth driving dynamics, and a fuel-efficient mild-hybrid powertrain.
• Cons: The GLC is more expensive than its rivals and only has one powertrain.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC enters a new generation for 2023. That means it has a fresh new face, a new interior, and a standard turbocharged engine. It’s also a little bigger this year, but not too big. If you can’t tell by the pictures, the GLC is around the same size as an Audi Q5 and a BMW X3 –the SUVs it competes with.

I had a chance to drive the Mercedes-Benz GLC for a week and felt like Goldilocks the whole time. The GLC’s robust feature set, two-row configuration, and comfortable interior made it feel just right.

How does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC drive?

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC drives as you would expect – like a quiet and comfortable SUV. Yes, those two words kept running through my mind while I drove the GLC. Its cabin is serene, and it was hard to detect any wind noise, even while driving on mountain roads. There’s not much road noise to speak of as well, which shows how well-insulated the cabin is.

As for the GLC’s driving dynamics, its steering effort is easy with a numb, on-center feel. However, if you turn the wheel, the resistance builds, making it feel a little tighter and sportier. Changing the driving mode to “Sport” makes it feel tight, but don’t expect a racecar-like response.

The Mercedes GLC SUV’s ride quality also feels soft when cruising around town, and I did detect some body roll when going around tight corners, but that was to be expected. Otherwise, the GLC’s overall comfort is “just right,” as it’s not too sporty like an Audi or BMW but not too soft like a Lexus RX.

What engine is in the GLC?

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV only has one powertrain to choose from for now. Don’t be surprised if an AMG version pops up next year. That said, the current GLC is motivated by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 258 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. That might not sound like a lot, but it’s on par with the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

It’s also enough power to scoot the GLC up 60 mph from a standstill in only 5.6 seconds, which is quick for a mid-size SUV. I attribute some of the car’s quickness to the mild-hybrid setup, which utilizes a 48-volt battery to aid acceleration and fuel efficiency. Additionally, the GLC comes standard in a rear-drive configuration, but AWD is available for $2,000 more.

What kind of fuel economy does the Mercedes-Benz GLC get?

According to the EPA, the 2023 GLC can achieve up to 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. After my week of testing the GLC in various elevations, I achieved an average of 29.5 mpg, which is impressive considering I drove through the Colorado mountains with it.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLC trim is right for you?

As of this writing, only the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is available, but I expect there to be more trim levels released later on. Fortunately, shopping for the GLC is easy because there are three different trim packages to pick:

• GLC 300 Premium: $47,100
• GLC 300 Exclusive: $49,350
• GLC 300 Pinnacle: $51,550

I would recommend the mid-trim GLC Exclusive, which adds a lot of nice features for the increased price. Some of the most notable features include a premium Burmester sound system, a 360-degree camera system, onboard navigation, and a multi-colored interior lighting system.

What does the Mercedes GLC come with?

The base Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 comes standard with LED head and taillights, remote start, ambient lighting, heated front seats with memory controls, a power tailgate, and a multi-function steering wheel.

There are also leather seats and various colors and trim features to spruce the car’s exterior and interior.

How tech-savvy is the Mercedes-Benz GLC?

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is loaded with all of the tech features you need. No, there’s no Hyperscreen included, but it does have an 11.9-inch infotainment display. That display has all of the basics, including satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and the voice command system. That last feature allows you to say, “Hey, Mercedes,” and then give a command.

You can even have the system tell you a joke. Additionally, there are other comfort features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel, but there aren’t any ventilated seats, which is odd. A configurable, digital 12.9-inch driver information display shows pertinent driving information as well.

How is the SUV’s cargo space?

There are plenty of pockets and spaces around the Mercedes GLC’s cabin for your big and small items. Those spaces include a small center console storage area and a decent-sized cargo area that measures 21.9 cubic feet. However, if you fold the rear seatbacks, the space more than doubles to 56.3 cubic feet.

Is the Mercedes GLC safe?

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC has not been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) yet. However, buyers can rest assured that the car is very safe.

The GLC comes with the following standard and available safety features:

• Distronic adaptive cruise control
• Traffic sign recognition
• Parktronic with Active Park Assist
• Active steering assist with lane change
• Head-up display
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Attention Assist
• Mercedes-Benz Pre-Safe system

MotorBiscuit awards the 2023 Mercedes-Benz with an overall score of 8.8 out of 10

The editors at MotorBiscuit give the 2023 Mercedes-Benz an overall rating of 8.8 out of 10. We really like the Mercedes-Benz GLC’s perfect size and elegant aesthetics. It’s not sporty, but it’s well-crafted enough to drive the car spiritedly if needed, and comfortably the rest of the time.

Compared to its competitors from Audi and BMW, the Mercedes-Benz GLC feels a little soft. But it stays ahead of its rivals with smart tech features, competent driving dynamics, and good fuel economy numbers.

Anyone looking for a luxurious two-row SUV should check out the Mercedes-Benz GLC because it could prove to be “just right” in terms of the car’s feature set, comfort, size, and pricing.