Mercedes GLC250d review, test drive

The new GLC makes for a desirable luxury SUV that combines style, quality, performance, ride, economy, practicality and off-road ability.

Published on Jul 14, 2015 01:45:00 PM

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What is it like?

In this top-of-the-line avatar, the GLC makes for a very desirable family car with space for up to five, and a large 550-litre boot.

Positive impressions are made the moment you enter the cabin. The familiar-looking dashboard, instruments, steering wheel, free-standing infotainment monitor, controls (including the rotary wheel between the front seats) and trim applications are all shared with the latest C-class. Although there are some hard plastic surfaces, overall material quality is quite high and better than that of any direct rival.

The driving position is sound, with raised seats affording good visibility all around. The front seats are fairly flat in the squab, but the more contoured backrests offer good lateral support. The rear seats split 40/20/40, with two full-sized outer positions and a narrower central seat that’s partly compromised for legroom by the central tunnel. Sizeable door pockets, a lidded bin and drink holders in the front section of the centre console provide plenty of storage.

With 201bhp at 3,800rpm and 51kgm from just 1,600rpm, the GLC 250d’s longitudinally mounted engine proves to be both punchy and flexible. It is also impressively hushed for a diesel, with little chatter evident in the cabin at low to mid revs. The standard nine-speed automatic gearbox, which uses a column-mounted stalk instead of a more conventional centre-mounted lever, provides a strong standing start and in-gear acceleration, given the broad spread of ratios on offer. Mercedes claims a 0-100kph time of 8.3 seconds and a 211kph top speed. The shifts are quite smooth and proficient in Comfort mode, although it is sometimes recalcitrant on downshifts in Sport Plus mode. The new gearbox really shines on the motorway, with a ninth gear providing calm and relaxing cruising qualities.

The GLC comes close to the X3 for its sheer agility. There is always sufficient traction out of slower corners to allow you to make full use of the strong low-end torque. The constant varying of drive to the front and rear axles, along with excellent body control and the electro-mechanical steering system, provides the GLC with pleasingly cornering traits despite a nominal 227mm ground clearance, in combination with the optional air springs fitted to the test car.