But some major changes lie beneath. The GLC gets an updated powertrain, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a nine-speed automatic transmission that’s now aided by a 48-volt mild hybrid setup for a promise of slightly better fuel economy. All-wheel drive is optional.
The biggest difference is that the 2023 GLC gets Mercedes’ new generation of interior design, including the MBUX infotainment system and touch-sensitive controls. If you’ve read our reviews of the EQS, EQE, or C-Class, you already know what we think. But suffice it to say that GLC buyers will want to spend some time familiarizing themselves with commonly used functions like adjusting the volume or cruise control before they hit the road.
As is usually the case with the vehicles we purchase, the GLC we added to our test fleet is the most representative sample we could find at a nearby dealership—not too bare-bones, but not loaded with all the options. We chose the midlevel “Exclusive” trim with 4Matic all-wheel drive and added Distronic Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) so we could test its active driving assistance features. The model we purchased also featured a heated steering wheel, which will be much appreciated during the cold New England winters, and a few other add-ons, including a “puddle light” that projects a massive Mercedes-Benz logo onto the ground outside the vehicle like a bat signal. We had no issues at the dealership: It helped us find a model with the exact features we wanted and knocked $500 off the sticker price.
If you’re a Consumer Reports member, you can read more about our initial assessment of the new GLC below. We’re currently logging 2,000 initial break-in miles on our new Benz before we send it through more than 50 tests at the CR Auto Test Center, including those that evaluate acceleration, braking, fuel economy, handling, car-seat fit, and controls. CR members will get access to the full road-test results and CR’s Overall Score as soon as they’re available.
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What we bought: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic
What it competes with: Audi Q5, BMW X3, Genesis GV70, Lexus NX, Porsche Macan , Volvo XC60
Powertrain: 258-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine; 9-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive
MSRP: $49,100
Major options: Metallic paint ($750), panoramic sunroof ($1,500), driver assistance package with ACC, lane keeping assistance ($1,950), Exclusive Trim package including surround-view camera, illuminated door sills, navigation, and surround sound ($2,250)
Destination fee: $1,150
Total cost: $58,195
