Mercedes GLC - Should You Buy One?

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The GLC has established Mercedes in the premium part of the mid-sized SUV segment. Now it's been improved. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Market and Model

Prices for the mainstream four cylinder models sit mainly in the £40,000 to £58,000 bracket and as a GLC buyer, your first choice will probably be to decide if you need the extra power the pokier 300d model offers over the base 220d variant. As there's very little economy penalty in choosing the faster car and not much of a price difference, the 300d would be our pick. Overall, expect this Mercedes to cost a slight premium over its Audi Q5 and BMW X3 direct rivals. The 220d comes with 'Sport', 'AMG Line' and 'AMG Line Premium' trim; for the 300d, it's 'AMG Line Premium', 'AMG Line Premium Plus' and 'AMG Line Plus Ultimate'.

All GLCs receive a 9-speed automatic gearbox, four wheel drive, the 'COMAND' infotainment system, 'DYNAMIC SELECT' handling control with adjustable dampers, plus all the usual niceties you'd expect from a Mercedes of this price. Safety-wise, there's a full rosta of electronic shields that scan the road ahead and prevent you from having an accident. Things like the 'COLLISON PREVENTION PLUS' system, plus the 'Crosswind Assist' set-up and the 'ATTENTION ASSIST' system. Optional is the 'DISTRONIC PLUS' radar cruise control system - with 'STEERING ASSIST' to keep you in lane and a 'Stop & Go' feature that'll slow the car automatically and start it off again if you come across a motorway tailback.

Cost of Ownership

This GLC has to be competitive when it comes to running costs - and is. The running costs of GLC 220d and 300d models are very similar. In the GLC 220d, expect up to 40.9mpg on the combined cycle and up to 137g/km of CO2. In the GLC 300d, expect up to 39.2mpg on the combined cycle and up to 157g/km of CO2. The GLC 300e petrol plug-in has an NEDC-rated electric driving range of 29 miles while delivering up to 117.7 mpg and emitting just 54 g/km of CO2. The 13.5 kW battery and 7.4kw on-board charger means the GLC 300 e can be charged via a 7.4 kW wallbox in under two hours.

All GLCs come with a 3 year warranty and should prove to hold onto their value well. That's provided you don't go mad on the options list of course. There's also an ASSYST dashboard service indicator that monitors engine use and tells you exactly when a garage visit is due. It's also worth mentioning that the included 'Mercedes me' connect services package includes remote self-diagnostic capability, enabling your GLC to monitor wear and tear items and alert your local dealer to let you know if something needs seeing to. You can also insure your car through Mercedes, though most company drivers will have this included in their lease cost.

Summary

Image is everything when it comes to premium mid-sized SUVs and on that basis, this improved GLC is a very desirable package. In terms of styling, technology and efficiency, it borrows hugely from other Mercedes models - to very good effect. Plus options like air suspension offer the kind of luxury that used to be limited to much larger luxury SUVs, enabling this car to cross ravines one minute and carve through a set of bends at speed the next.

Some may feel that there are still more dynamic choices to make in this segment: the trendier-looking Range Rover Evoque for example. Or the more sharply-handling BMW X3. As an all-rounder though, combining many of the qualities you'll find in both those cars, the GLC is a tempting package.

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