Mercedes GLC India review, test drive

What is it?

It’s hard to believe that after Maruti, it’s Mercedes that has the widest model range in India. What’s even harder to believe is that there exists a big hole in Mercedes’ burgeoning portfolio, which has taken ages to fill. Now finally, the long, long overdue Mercedes GLC is finally here to plug that crucial gap in the meat of Mercedes’ SUV range, which happens to be bang in between the compact GLA and the meaty GLE.

So far, Mercedes could only helplessly watch potential mid-size luxury SUV buyers turn to the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 instead, but now, the GLC is here with a vengeance to spoil its rivals’ party. But can it steal their sales? To know the answer, we took the GLC for a long and gruelling drive.

It’s based on the same platform as the C-class and the wheelbase has been stretched by 33mm. But what also makes it look big is the tall cabin and the wide nose. Mercedes’ new design language, known internally as ‘sensual purity’, blends bold details on the one hand and a sinewy basic form, on the other.

Up front, the wide grille stands out as it protrudes from the bonnet and grabs your attention first. The next thing you notice is just how clean the flanks of the GLC are and how neatly the wheel arches bulge out. I also particularly like the treatment of the GLC’s rear, which has a bit of a coupé-like feel to it with the swoopy D-pillar and raked rear screen while the chunky rear skid plate with twin exhausts housed in them are there to remind you of the GLC’s SUV credentials. What does look a bit odd, however, is how far forward the front wheels have been pushed in the interest of better interior packaging; but it does upset the proportions a bit.