Mercedes-Benz GLC Review 2025: Price, specs & boot space

Written by Lawrence Allan
Quick overview
Pros
- Glitzy, high-tech interior with lots of kit
- Plenty of space for people and luggage
- Impressive electric range on hybrid models
Cons
- Parts of the cabin are style over substance
- Prices are up considerably across the board
- Some rivals are better on the road
Overall verdict on the Mercedes-Benz GLC
"The Mercedes-Benz GLC sits slap bang in the middle of the brand’s SUV lineup, and the new second generation car should be a popular one. Classy, clever and with some impressive hybrid options, it’s only a shame that progress doesn’t come cheap. Our Mercedes-Benz GLC review finds out if it’s worth the premium pricing."

We wouldn’t blame you for being a bit confused by the sheer number of SUVs Mercedes-Benz offers. There’s a wide variety of high-riding models available to buy new with a mixture of petrol, diesel, hybrid and fully electric power. So how do you work it all out? Read our Mercedes-Benz GLC review to see if it's the one for you.
You might be more familiar with the brand’s traditional models which go up alphabetically in size and price (A-Class, B-Class, C-Class etc). So the ‘C’ in GLC translates to it being an SUV version of the C-Class, making it a mid-sized premium model.
Sitting below the bigger, pricier still Mercedes-Benz GLE, this second-generation GLC will no doubt be hugely popular as a rival to cars such as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The previous model was one of the brand’s biggest sellers globally, so Mercedes has pulled out all the stops to ensure it appeals to everyone.
That means an engine to suit every customer need. So there’s a pair of diesels for high mileage drivers, a punchy pure petrol model and - most importantly given the GLC is an in-demand company car - a petrol AND a diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV). There's also the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and 63 models with up to a whopping 680PS of power on hand.
So far we’ve only driven the plug-in hybrid Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e. It’ll be a big business seller because of the low company car tax but also makes a good case for itself as a private car, particularly because its massive (for a PHEV) battery allows an all electric range of between 75 and 83 miles depending on usage, plus decent performance even without waking the engine. If you need even more electric range than this, consider the Mercedes EQC EV instead.
That’ll mean incredibly low fuel costs for those that can plug-in the 300e regularly, although you need to bear in mind that, at £59,000, it’s a lot more to buy in the first place than a GLC 300 petrol. In fact, pricing is a bit of an issue across the Mercedes-Benz GLC range.
What is unlikely to be an issue is the design. Where BMW is going for the shock and awe of challenging, controversial designs, Mercedes is delivering an evolved, elegant approach. Sure, it doesn’t look that much different from the old car, but it’s recognisably a posh German SUV and that’s what matters to many.
Inside, the GLC mirrors the upmarket, showy cabin design of the brand’s latest models such as the new C-Class. That means it’ll certainly impress any mates that hitch a lift, with cool ambient lighting and lots of clever tech, plus plenty of standard equipment across the range. We do have some reservations; sometimes the technology tries to be too clever for its own good, while some of the details inside aren’t as well-finished as in key German rivals.
On the road the new Mercedes-Benz GLC majors on comfort and refinement, particularly in hybrid form. Its very quiet and perfect for pottering about town or motorway cruising, although sometimes it gets unsettled by rougher roads. The sheer weight of the plug-in hybrid’s big battery means this certainly isn’t the most agile family SUV around, though - a Jaguar F-Pace or BMW X3 is more controlled and precise.
Sophisticated, refined and hugely efficient, the GLC PHEV is an extremely competitive addition to the hybrid SUV market.
Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Mercedes-Benz Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Mercedes GLC cars for sale. If you’re looking for the older version, you need our Mercedes-Benz GLC (2015 to 2022) review.
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC right for you?
What’s the best Mercedes-Benz GLC model/engine to choose?
What other cars are similar to the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Comfort and design: Mercedes GLC interior
“The Mercedes-Benz GLC dazzles you with a feature-packed, tech-heavy cabin and cool ambient lighting. It certainly looks premium and is well-equipped, although some elements are a bit style over substance.”

Anyone familiar with a modern Mercedes-Benz will know how the brand has gone in heavily on technology. This is evident as soon as you step inside the GLC, with its large portrait-angled infotainment screen, LED strips oozing ambient lighting from every possible crevice and slick digital dials. It’s a different approach to tech focus compared to Tesla, which goes with quite stark and minimalist interiors.
You even get fancy augmented reality navigation combined with a large head-up display on certain versions. There’s no doubting this cabin has a real wow factor, although the more you explore and poke around the more you realise that, in a few places, the actual fit and finish isn’t quite at Audi levels.
We’ve no complaints with the commanding driving position, which gives a good view out despite slightly obtrusive windscreen pillars. You don’t feel like you’re perched on it rather than in it like some SUVs, though, with a cocooning dashboard and a wide range of seat adjustment.
Quality and finish
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Mercedes GLC
Space and practicality: Mercedes-Benz GLC boot space
Handling and ride quality: What is the Mercedes-Benz GLC like to drive?
“The Mercedes-Benz GLC continues to focus on comfort over agility, which is something we think SUV buyers will value. It’s not perfect, though.”

Mercedes-Benz has a habit of making suspension setups vary wildly depending on which version you choose. Things are a bit simpler at the moment with the GLC.
Because the only trim levels available are AMG Line-based, the petrol or diesel Mercedes GLCs get sports suspension as standard. We’ve not yet tried this - generally the brand’s sportier setups are still pretty comfortable, but we’ll have to get back to you on that.
The plug-in hybrid models get a different setup with self-levelling air suspension at the rear and traditional springs at the front. Some markets get full, all-corner air suspension that isn’t available in the UK for some reason, but we’ve only tried the standard PHEV setup. The reason why it has rear air suspension is to control the (gulp) 2.3 tonne kerbweight, which makes it the heaviest of all the plug-in hybrid SUVs in this class.
It generally seems pretty comfortable and composed on the road unless you drive about like your hair’s on fire. Big bumps and speed humps around town are dealt with well and there isn’t too much bobbing and wallowing as you get down the road, although it is clearly quite soft.
The result of this softness is it struggles with more undulating, bumpy faster roads, where the ride can be a bit unsettled and the car leans quite a bit in the bends. You can mitigate this by putting the car into Sport mode, but sharp bumps then make themselves felt and heard more. Annoyingly it seems you can’t have the engine and gearbox in Sport but set the suspension to Comfort - it’s one or the other. Still, the steering is direct and weighty enough while still being light in town.
A lower, lighter Mercedes C-Class is better all-round, riding more smoothly while staying more level in the bends. But people buy SUVs because that’s what they want, and in the context of this class the GLC isn’t bad at all. Having said that, we reckon an equivalent BMW X3 or Jaguar F-Pace is just that bit nicer to drive in every situation.
There is also the Mercedes-AMG GLC models - 43 and 63 - that come with larger alloy wheels, AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension, and selectable driving modes. As you'd expect, they deal with bumpy roads in a firmer manner than the other GLC models, but pay back with even more grippy cornering habits.
The optional Driving Assistance Package Plus seems like a no-brainer if you commute. It can drive the Mercedes down an A road or motorway with spooky efficiency accelerating, steering and braking for you. It follows speed limits and can slow for corners and junctions automatically. If the road gets congested, it can drive you in stop-go queues and even pulls to the outside of the road automatically to let emergency vehicles get to an accident.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Refinement and noise levels
Safety equipment: How safe is the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Mercedes-Benz GLC cost to run?
"The Mercedes-Benz GLC gets mild or plug-in hybrid power across the range, so for now there's no really thirsty models. The PHEVs are incredibly efficient."

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e plug-in hybrid is extremely efficient on paper. In fact, it’s one of the most frugal PHEVs ever made.
Its WLTP-rated fuel economy figure is 470.8mpg (no, that isn’t a typo) while it emits a mere 13g/km of CO2. The range rating of over 60 miles from a full charge means it’ll fall into a lower company car tax band than a number of plug-in rivals, too. In our experience in cold conditions, 60 miles is just about achievable, but in warmer weather when batteries perform better expect to beat that.
Think that’s impressive? You haven’t seen the GLC 300de plug-in, which has a similar all-electric range mated to a diesel engine for a bonkers 565.0mpg and CO2 emissions of just 11g/km.
Don’t buy into the official figures without considering your use cases, though. Run out of battery and have nowhere to charge it? Those official MPG figures will quickly plummet by more than 90%. For those without regular access to chargers or who regularly travel more than 100 miles in one sitting we simply cannot recommend spending the extra on either.
Indeed the regular GLC 220d diesel will likely be more efficient on a long journey than the PHEV with a depleted battery. Officially it manages 52.3mpg, not bad for a heavy car with four-wheel drive. The GLC 300 petrol manages 37.2mpg combined which is quite a bit less, but still decent enough.
Both these petrol and diesel models are still hybrids in the technical sense, receiving a 23PS boost from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that makes the stop/start more effective and means you rely a bit less on the engine when you pull away.
How reliable is the Mercedes-Benz GLC?
Insurance groups and costs
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Mercedes-Benz GLC?
How much should you be paying for a Mercedes-Benz GLC?
"The Mercedes-Benz GLC sits right at the top of the segment as a new car, and the hybrids command quite the premium."

Prices for the new Mercedes-Benz GLC start at a fairly eye-watering £52,895 for the GLC 220d 4MATIC AMG Line. That's substantially more expensive than the starting price of the old model, but then again there isn't really an 'entry-level' model as all versions come highly specified. All key rivals can be had for less, however.
Stepping up to the GLC 300 petrol in the same trim will see you pay £54,945, while AMG Line Premium trim adds £5000. The GLC 300 d only comes in AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus forms and costs from £61,805. Perhaps the most painfully expensive are the AMG Line Premium Plus models which cost between £62,895 and £75,610 depending on spec. That used to be large SUV money.
Mercedes has softened the blow for the GLC 300e and 300de models with the Urban Edition trim. This brings these models' entry prices to £58,860 for the petrol and £61,110 for the diesel.
At the other end of the spectrum, we have have the GLC 43 from £73,190 and the 63 starting at a slightly unhinged £109,030.
Of course leasing will make these figures easier to swallow with monthly payments, but it'll be surprising if the GLC is cheaper than rivals there. It'll be interesting to see if cheaper trim levels arrive later.
Trim levels and standard equipment
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
How much does a Mercedes GLC cost?
Which is better, the Mercedes GLC or GLE?
Which is bigger, the Mercedes GLC or the BMW X5?
Mercedes-Benz GLC cars for sale on heycar
Mercedes-Benz GLCGLC 220d 4Matic AMG Line Premium 5dr 9G-Tronic
202136,951 milesDiesel£445 moor £28,990£29,990
£1,000 offRH107ZJMercedes-Benz GLCGLC 250d 4Matic AMG Line Premium 5dr 9G-Tronic
201866,372 milesDiesel£19,695
DeliveryMercedes-Benz GLCGLC 220d 4Matic Sport Premium 5dr 9G-Tronic
201628,586 milesDiesel£420 mo£18,990
DeliveryMercedes-Benz GLCGLC 220d 4Matic AMG Line Premium 5dr 9G-Tronic
201945,963 milesDiesel£564 mo£25,975
BL99STMercedes-Benz GLCGLC 220d 4Matic AMG Line 5dr 9G-Tronic
201656,244 milesDiesel£393 mo£17,490
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