The Mercedes-Benz GLC is all about smoothness and refinement. It treats you with serene comfort, a high-quality cabin, and impressive technology and safety features. In a group of small luxury all-stars such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60, the Mercedes-Benz GLC remains a benchmark.
Part of the first GLC generation introduced for 2016
What is the GLC-Class?
The compact luxury SUV segment is filled with illustrious competitors, including the stylish Volvo XC60, sporty Porsche Macan and tech-savvy Audi Q5. Our favorite of the bunch is the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Most vehicles in this class offer impressive performance, a comfortable ride, spacious interior accommodations or generous customization options, but none blends these aspects to the degree the GLC does.
While Mercedes has preened its golden goose to great effect over the years, there's no denying the current iteration of the GLC is nearing its end. If this is really the final year of the first-generation GLC, Mercedes is sending it off with a rip and a snort. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC adds a new AMG GLC 63 S variant, which boosts the twin-turbocharged V8 in the AMG GLC 63 to new levels.
Output from the boisterous eight-cylinder increases from a healthy 469 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque to a burly 503 hp and 516 lb-ft. Mercedes says the power bump drops the GLC's 0-60 mph time to 3.6 seconds — 0.2 second quicker than the AMG GLC 63. Its top speed also rises from 155 mph to 174 mph. The AMG GLC 63 S further adds dynamic engine mounts — helping deliver a sportier or more relaxed driving experience at the driver's choosing — and a few features that are optional on the AMG GLC 63.
Edmunds says
The GLC-Class is starting to feel a little creaky, but new variants like the AMG GLC 63 S will help stay the Grim Reaper a little longer.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.74 per gallon for premium unleaded in Florida.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class from 2008-2022.
$624/yr
vs. $602/yr for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
0.54x/yr
vs. 1.09x/yr for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
5.8%
vs. 9.4% for Average Luxury Midsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
No car is perfect universally because we have different needs. I have a 2018 model and just bought a 2021 for my wife. We have 2 almost identical cars because GLC300 fits our needs perfectly. I’m 6’ and have a kid 5’8”, another kid in a huge car seat, and GLC300 has enough room for our family of four. It’s fast enough for merging and taking over on highway and nimble on local roads, and … if you’re not in a hurry it easily return gas mileage over 25 mpg and over 30 on highways. Some people also say their other brand cars are fast and nimble, what I mean here is a level above. I had a GLK 350 for 6 years and had no problems of any sort, and my 2018 GLC trouble free, too. So I would like to say GLC and its predecessor GLK are reliable. I researched almost every mainstream brand before invested in 2 GLCs, and found that 1) Toyotas are having 8-speed transmission problems and Hondas infotainment system problems and Subarus braking failures and GLCs and predecessor GLKs no big complaints and are not “money pit”. 2) outdoor price is MSRP, don’t over pay. If other brands carry equivalent equipments as GLC, they are most likely at the same price or even more. Buy prepaid maintenance and that will bring down the maintenance cost to $500/10k miles. You’re driving a luxury compact so it’s acceptable even it costs at most $300 more that a Toyota every 10k miles and GLC IS luxurious.
This is my first Mercedes and I m loving every mile I drive. This is truly an amazing vehicle. “Mercedes me”runs all the technology from my voice commands. All I have to do drive this fabulous vehicle. Comfortable, quiet smooth great sound system . I m blown away with all the features. I test drove all the competitors and this car was the best by far. After driving this car it would be … very hard to go back to toyotas and Hondas. So impressed just enjoying the ride. Yes it’s more expensive than the average car but if you want to drive the best and can make the payments it’s a car u will love to drive everyday. I figured before I m looking up at daises it was time to take a shot and enjoy the fruit s of my labors. A very impressive car.
We have been driving MBs (E, C, SL, GLK, and GLC) since 1986, and always have been happy with our purchases. Looking at all the changes coming up in new cars, we didn't purchase in 2018, we leased a 2018 GLC for 3 years. We loved the car so much that we decided to lease the 2021 when the old lease expired.
I don't know if it is because of the pandemic, chip shortage, or what, but this … car is - to us - not as good as the 2018! Both cars were ordered with the AMG night package, specifically to get the oversize cross drilled front disk brakes - never cared about the plastic body trim modifications. The 2021 was advertised in the official order form we filled out at the dealership as having these brakes as part of the night package. Surprise - despite still being advertised at the dealership as having these oversize rotors and calipers, the 2021 came with the standard brakes. ALL the 2021 AMG/Night Packages for 2021 that we saw at the dealership dropped the oversize brakes, but kept the price as if they were included. Bait and switch - if your order form says something is included in the price, it should be there. Of course, the car arrived just as the lease ended on the 2018, so it was shut up and take it, or refuse it and pay $500 at the lease end on the 2018 for not leasing a new one. And MBUSA Leasing was a discourteous mess. After we had the new car, the kept calling us and saying we had missed the final payment on the 2018, had not turned in the car, and threatened our credit rating - despite our offering to send them copies of the paper work showing the turn-in date at the dealership and having made the first lease payment on the 2021!!! We had to threaten legal action if they messed up our credit rating before they would listen - It took a week to straighten out, with no apology or anything from MB Financial.
And the surprises kept coming: The rear cargo area floor in 2018 was carpeted fiberglass(?) with a hold open hook and strap, and a foam insulation pad on the bottom, apparently to cut down noise. On the 2021 the strap, hook, and foam pad are missing - on ours, and on all the ones we looked at in dealerships. The 2018 had seat back release buttons on the rear door openings as well as in the cargo area - for 2021 they are missing from the door openings, replaced with a cheap plastic plug that does nothing.
And the fuel economy is about 1-2 miles per gallon WORSE on the 2021 than on the 2018, for both hiway and city driving!
If you never owned a 2018 GLC, you will love the 2021. If you did, you are going to notice the missing conveniences and essentials - at a higher cost.
We ordered the 2021 with the Bermester stereo, and that has been a delight. We also ordered the front window noise insulation, and that seems to cut wind noise on the car. The 2021 seems to ride a bit smoother on all suspension settings than the 2018, maybe they changed tire brands?
All told, we still like the car - just not as much as the 2018. But given the treatment by MBUSA financial, and the $2000+ AMG night package rip off in describing something on their order sheet that they never provided, after 35 + years of driving MBs, when this lease ends, so will our relationship with Mercedes.
I'm generally a picky consumer and don't often write reviews but felt compelled to share my thoughts here. I owned a C300 before moving to a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a year later, had to get out of it. Naturally, I went back to Mercedes and was between a GLC and GLE. Having a hefty year's depreciation on the Jeep (oops), the GLE was a stretch financially and really offered nothing more to … me, so I went with a loaded GLC instead. The entire package is perfect, from the size, technology, engineering, and drive, and leaves zero to be desired. In this market, I paid full price, which I never have for a vehicle in the past. Even still, I feel it was worth every penny and makes me smile when I get behind the wheel. Skip cross-shopping and go straight to Mercedes!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the GLC-Class since its last redesign.