Click it and Unblock the Notifications
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Review: Glamorous Lifestyle Companion For The Modern Kings
Step into the time-honoured splendour of Hampi, a place where history whispers tales of grandeur in every stone. Here, amidst the ancient ruins that wear the UNESCO World Heritage site badge, I was caught in the luxurious embrace of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC. It was a moment of contemplative tranquillity, steeped in the opulence of modern luxury and the echoes of a glorious past.
In the heart of this regal landscape, I couldn't help but wonder what the illustrious Maharajas of yesteryears would make of this majestic chariot of the present. The Mercedes-Benz GLC, an SUV with stellar craftsmanship and refined elegance, is a testament to the extraordinary leaps of engineering and design.
Can this exquisite vehicle be the Glamorous Lifestyle Companion for our contemporary maharajas, steering India's economy towards uncharted territories? This question became our guiding compass as we journeyed through the enchanting tapestry of Hampi and its surrounding vistas in Karnataka.
Embark on this enthralling journey with us as we unravel the captivating allure of the 2023 Mercedes GLC...
Mercedes-Benz GLC Review: Exterior Design, Interior, Comfort & Tech - Evolving To A New Dimension
Blink once, and you'll miss the changes that Mercedes carefully sculpted to the bodyshell of the second-generation GLC that differentiate it from its predecessor. The exterior design brief called for evolution rather than revolution, and Mercedes has succeeded in that effort.
The new GLC sports a slightly larger grille up front with a massive Mercedes three-pointed star badge at its centre and chrome bars extending to the edges.
Flanking the grille are the reshaped headlights that sport a new DRL signature and stretch toward the front fenders. The lower section of the front bumper sports air intakes on either edge, while the surround for the central intake melds into the chrome bash plate below it.
The sides of the 2023 GLC remain unchanged and, like the rest of the second-gen SUV, sports smoothed-out body panels. Other highlights include the chrome window surrounds and the 19-inch alloy wheels that look like they'll spin you through Doctor Strange's kaleidoscopic mirror dimension if you stare at them too long.
The rear end of the new GLC is a mix of the GLE and the new C-Class. The overall look of the new GLC's rear section, including the powered tailgate, is similar to the larger GLE. However, those 3D LED taillights have been lifted and transposed onto the GLC, giving it a unique overall look.
Enhancing those unique looks is the roof-mounted spoiler that houses the third brake light and sits above the slightly raked rear screen. Other highlights include the black trim connecting the taillights and the chrome under guard that extends around the exhaust tips.
Step inside the GLC's cabin, and don't be surprised if you think you've ported into another dimension of opulent luxury. The 2023 GLC SUV's cabin is quite unlike its predecessors and resembles the new C-Class more than anything else, which we feel is a rather good thing.
Once situated in the seats, you'll be mesmerised and, like Jenny of the Oldstones, never want to leave, thanks to the materials used and the feeling of roominess provided by that panoramic sunroof.
However, after a bit more sitting, the minimal increase in wheelbase shows itself, making it feel slightly cramped, especially for those from the taller side of the Indian population.
The stripy two-layer dashboard with its dual display setup attracts your eyeballs first. Like in the C-Class, the 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system is angled slightly toward the driver.
The touchscreen infotainment display is responsive and intuitive, though some animations make us wonder which era of video games the software section was from. It controls almost every aspect of the SUV, from the music to the automatic climate control system and the heated seats.
The GLC's steering wheel provides welcome relief for those unwilling to go down the touchscreen haptic route and prefer the look and feel of buttons and dials.
Another option for the anti-haptic behind the wheel is the 'Hey Mercedes' voice command, which allows you to tell the SUV what changes you want by talking its head off.
The setup supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and when you pipe your tunes through the 15-speaker, 710-watt Burmeister sound system, you tend to enjoy the drive even more.
Let the automatic tailgate open, and the chunky 620-litre boot (70 litres more than before) greets you. More than enough for all your road trips combined, we wonder if the new GLC would have perhaps benefitted by shifting some of the extra millimetres in length to the wheelbase instead (What? No, that's not my back talking).
The GLC comes packed with all the safety tech you need. Safety gear on the 2023 Mercedes GLC SUV includes seven airbags, active parking assist, a 360-degree camera, Car to X communication and more. The SUV also sports a few ADAS bits like attention assist, active brake assist, blind spot assist, active brake assist, and active lane-keeping assist, among others.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Review: Engines, Mileage & Dimensions - Mild Hybrid & Four-Wheel-Drive For The Win
The 2023 Mercedes GLC comes to India with two turbocharged engine options (petrol and diesel). Both displace 2.0-litres and come with a mild-hybrid system, 9-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel-drive.
The GLC 220d 4Matic uses a 1,993cc turbocharged four-pot diesel engine pushing out 194.4bhp and 440Nm of peak torque. The mild hybrid integrated starter generator (ISG) adds 23bhp and 200Nm of torque that helps propel the GLC 220d 4Matic from 0-100km/h in 8 seconds and allows it to deliver a mileage of 19.47km/l.
The GLC 300 4Matic (the one we drove) sports a slightly larger 1,999cc, turbocharged petrol engine pushing 255bhp and 400Nm of peak torque. With the ISG helping it, the GLC 300 4Matic sprints from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds and delivers a mileage of 14.72km/l.
The second-generation Mercedes GLC measures 4,716mm long, 1,890mm wide and 1,640mm tall. The wheelbase of the Mercedes GLC is 2,888mm long. The new Mercedes GLC is 60mm longer than its predecessor and sports a 15mm longer wheelbase.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Review: Driving Impressions & Road Manners - For The Ones Who Love To Cruise
The best way to describe how the 2023 Mercedes GLC drives is serene. In the city, the new GLC is as cool as a cucumber flattening most bumps and ruts in the road with absolute ease.
On the highway, as you move onto higher speeds, the ISG joins in on the fun, with the over-boost function helping out for around 30 seconds, making the journey to triple digits a bit more fun. We found the automatic box hesitant when we mashed the loud pedal to the floor.
Where the GLC isn't at home is the twistier bits of the road, but it doesn't lose its composure despite the body roll. If you are in sport mode, the GLC hides its weight around the bends rather well, but don't call it sporty.
Adding to the feeling is the brake pedal, which feels slightly vague when depressed and the steering wheel which while light isn't a feedback specialist.
However, there is one feature of the all-new GLC that we feel trumps everything else on the go. The new GLC gets Merc's 4Matic four-wheel-drive system which is brilliant if you go off the beaten path. Making this experience one without worries is the 'Transparent Bonnet feature.
It uses cameras to show what's happening under your GLC's front end when the going gets tough. Available at speeds of up to 8km/h, it helps you miss the ruts, gullies and rocks you need to avoid if you feel up for a bit of overlanding.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Review: Verdict & DriveSpark's Thoughts - Glamorous Lifestyle Companion For The Modern Kings
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC gracefully deviates from the sporty path, instead embodying the rich legacy of the iconic three-pointed star emblem on its nose. Its serene nature effortlessly carries you to your destination.
While the cabin may give off a sense of compactness, the GLC envelopes you in a cocoon of tranquillity, shielding you from the outside world as you journey onward. With its captivating design, technology and luxurious cabin features, it is the Glamorous Luxury Companion we would gladly choose to accompany us on any adventure.
(Words by Jobo Kuruvilla & Dennis Abraham James; Driving Inputs from Jobo Kuruvilla & Promeet Ghosh)
Continue with Google