Used Mercedes GLC 2023-present review

Despite the enormous popularity of family SUVs, the Mercedes GLC was quite late to the party because it only arrived in the UK in 2015. By comparison, the BMW X3 was launched in 2004 and the Audi Q5 in 2008.

It's certainly been a case of ‘better late than never’ then, because the GLC is now one of the brand’s most popular models here. You can even get it as a Mercedes GLC Coupé if you like.

Launched in 2023, the second-generation GLC you see here brought with it a raft of changes over its predecessor, including revised underpinnings that allow for more interior space. It also featured a new infotainment system and a range of new mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engines.

Engines: The entry-level engine in the GLC is a 194bhp 2.0-litre diesel, called the 220d. It provides plenty of low-end shove and it’s quite a punchy set-up. We’d say it negates the need for the 288bhp 300d version.

If you don’t want to tell your friends you drive a diesel, there’s the 300 petrol model that uses a 254bhp 2.0-litre engine. On paper, it’s quick to accelerate from 0-62mph, but it doesn’t feel like it in practice. It needs to be worked harder than the 220d, especially when accelerating or overtaking.

The 300e petrol PHEV is more powerful. It produces 355bhp from its petrol engine and electric motor, which work seamlessly together to provide effortless performance. There’s also a diesel version of this set-up, the 300de, which produces 349bhp.

Both the PHEVs are powered by a 24.8kWh (usable) battery that delivers a vast official electric-only range of 75 miles. While you’re more likely to see a real-world range of around 50 miles, it’s still much farther than the PHEV versions of the Q5 and X3.

As with the first-generation, you can have 43 and 63 AMG versions of the GLC, but these are now mild hybrid and PHEV-powered. This is a shame, because they’re not as fun as the V6 and V8 engines from before. They’re still mighty fast if you want to shock a few people at the traffic lights, though.

All versions get a nine-speed automatic gearbox that shifts smoothly most of the time, but it can be hesitant to kick down when you want a quick burst of speed. The PHEVs do mitigate this issue, thanks to the electric motor, which provides instant shove when you step on it.

Trims and equipment: Mercedes doesn’t make life easy when it comes to trim levels, because there are quite a few to choose from. Regardless, you’ll find plenty of standard equipment on most models, including the Urban Edition. It comes with 20in alloy wheels, ambient lighting, LED headlights, heated sports front seats and dual-zone climate control. It’s worth noting this trim is only available with the PHEVs.

AMG Line trim is offered on all versions and it comes with smaller 19in alloy wheels, but adds electric front seat adjustment. AMG Line premium adds a few more goodies, including 20in alloy wheels, heat and noise insulating glass, keyless entry, blind-spot monitoring, a dashcam, a 360-degree reversing camera and upgraded memory seats.

Top-spec AMG Line Premium Plus models come with a panoramic roof, four-zone climate control, a head-up display and an upgraded stereo system.

Ride and handling: The suspension system you get on the GLC depends on the version you go for. In regular mild hybrid cars, you get a standard coil spring set-up all-round, while in the PHEVs you get self-levelling rear air suspension to deal with the extra weight of the battery.

The GLC is mostly very comfortable and it soaks up small potholes in town without much fuss. You will, however, find large potholes unsettle the car and cause a slight thud through the interior, particularly on cars with 20in wheels.

In the corners, the PHEV models aren’t as agile as the regular mild hybrid versions but they still give you plenty of grip and composure, with the rear air suspension doing a good job of limiting the effects of the heavy battery. Non-PHEV versions are a bit more capable on twisty roads, but overall the X3 and Lexus NX are more agile.

Interior and practicality: The GLC is based on the same underpinnings as the Mercedes C-Class, but you sit up much higher to give you a commanding view out. Unfortunately, visibility isn’t the best, because of the high dashboard and thick windscreen pillars.

The driving position is very comfortable, which is helped by the supportive front seats with four-way electrically adjustable lumbar support. There’s also a wide range of steering wheel movement, but unfortunately the rim can block out the 12.3in digital driver’s display in some positions.

The GLC’s interior is dominated by a large portrait-oriented 11.9in infotainment touchscreen that flows down the centre console. It can be operated by touch, voice or using fiddly touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. A head-up display is standard on top-spec AMG Line Premium Plus cars.

The central touchscreen is mounted high up on the dashboard and is within close reach, plus it’s sharp to look at and quick to respond to inputs. While the climate controls are a bit fiddly to use on the screen, they are always on show in the lower half so you don’t have to dive into menus to make adjustments. The shortcut keys and rotary controller of BMW’s iDrive system are less distracting to use overall.

The design of the GLC’s interior offers plenty of visual appeal, plus there are some lovely materials in places. The top of the dash and doors on AMG Line models are covered in soft-touch material, while some models get matt wood trim that gives the car a premium feel. Unfortunately, the build quality isn’t as good as a Q5. The buttons and switches feel flimsy and cheap, while the materials used further down the dash are hard and scratchy.

When it comes to space in the front, there's loads of leg and head room on offer, plus there’s a large centre console that gives plenty of space between the driver and front passenger.

In the back, there's enough space to accommodate a couple of six-footers, with lots of leg room for a passenger sitting behind a six-foot adult. There’s plenty of head room on offers too, and it’s better than an NX overall in the back.

Folding down the GLC’s rear seats is easy: you flick a switch in the boot (or another in the rear passenger compartment) and the seatbacks drop automatically. The rear seatbacks split in a 40/20/40 configuration too, which gives extra flexibility for passenger or boot space.

In terms of capacity, the GLC’s 620-litre boot is bigger than the ones in the Q5 and X3. The PHEVs don’t have quite as much space because of the battery under the floor, but it still has enough room to fit in six carry-on suitcases. All versions come with an electric tailgate as standard.

If you're interested in buying a used Mercedes GLC or any of the cars we've mentioned, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.

Prices for a used Mercedes GLC start from around £37,000 for 2023 300 petrol or 220d diesel models with average mileage. For low mileage cars with around 10,000 miles on the clock, you can look to pay around £40,000. Newer 2024 cars start from around £43,000, while PHEV models are a bit more expensive, with prices starting from £50,000.

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MPG

The official fuel economy figure of the 220d is 53.3mpg, which is on a par with diesel versions of the X3 and Q5. If you’re tempted by the 300 petrol, just be aware that it's more thirsty than the diesel, with an official average of 38.2mpg.

The PHEV variants are more efficient, but only if you remember to plug them in regularly. If you don't, fuel economy can suffer because the engine has to pull the extra weight of the motor and battery by itself. Official fuel economy of the 300e is 470.9mpg and the 300de 565mpg, but don’t expect to get anywhere near those figures in the real world.

Road Tax

All regular petrol and diesel versions of the GLC will be taxed at a rate of £190 and PHEV models at a rate of £180. An extra £410 in luxury car tax will be applicable for all models from years two to six.

Servicing

Mercedes recommends a service for the GLC once a year or every 10,000 miles (whichever comes first) for Service A maintenance. This typically includes oil and filter changes, tyre pressure checks, fluid top-offs and a general system check.

Mercedes recommends a Service B every two years thereafter or 20,000 miles. This includes Service A maintenance, plus more in-depth inspections, potential component replacements and a review of crucial systems. It’s worth noting that Mercedes main dealer servicing can be more expensive than other premium brand rivals.

Insurance

The GLC 220d and 300 models sit in insurance group 40 and 42, so they will cost you around £1000 to insure annually. The PHEV and AMG versions are a lot more expensive to insure.

Safety

The GLC was awarded five stars out of five for safety when it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2022. All versions come with automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring as standard.

Warranty

Every GLC comes with a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty from new, which is similar to most rivals. The PHEVs come with a six-year/62,000-mile warranty for the battery.

Reliability

The Mercedes GLC has a strong reliability record, according to our latest What Car? Reliability Survey. While the latest GLC wasn’t included, the previous generation topped the large SUV class with an impressive score of 97.9%, outperforming key rivals like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Porsche Macan. That result bodes well for the current version, which shares much with its predecessor.

It’s worth noting that Mercedes didn’t do so well in our manufacturer league table, finishing in 22nd place out of 31 brands.

Find out more about the Mercedes GLC’s reliability on our dedicated reliability page.

Engine

The 220d diesel is our recommended engine in the GLC. It’s similarly priced to the 300 petrol when buying used, plus it’s punchier and more fuel efficient. While the PHEVs offer an impressive electric-only range and quiet driving manners, they are quite pricey.

Specification

AMG Line is the most popular trim in the GLC and it’s very well equipped. It comes with 19in alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated front seats, electrically adjustable front seats and dual-zone climate control.

Our favourite Mercedes GLC: 220d AMG Line

The Audi Q5 is one of the GLC’s closest rivals. It’s superbly refined, both in terms of interior quality and the way it drives, plus it’s spacious and practical. As a used buy, it’s one of our favourite cars in this class.

The BMW X3 is another close rival to the GLC. It offers rewarding handling and a fine line-up of engines, which makes it very enjoyable to drive. It also has a superb infotainment system and a smart interior.

The Lexus NX can be easily overlooked, but it’s definitely worth considering. It’s available with a range of fuel-efficient hybrid engines, plus it has a smart, high-quality interior and a comfortable ride. Reliability is a strong suit, too.

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If you're interested in buying a used Mercedes GLC or any of the cars we've mentioned, head over to our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at a great price.