[Taboleo] The Versatile GLC... No Wonder It's a Bestseller

Mercedes-Benz GLC Tops Imported SUV Sales in First Half
Refined Interior and Exterior... Fuel Efficiency and Driving Performance Also Satisfactory

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC

The Mercedes-Benz compact luxury SUV GLC is a global bestseller for Benz. Since its launch, 2.6 million units have been sold worldwide. Over the past two years, it has been the best-selling Benz vehicle globally. Its strength lies in being an all-rounder, excelling in everything from exterior design to interior, fuel efficiency, and driving performance.

Recently, I drove the GLC 300 4MATIC from near Yeouido in Seoul to the vicinity of Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province and back, covering about 120 km. This is the third generation model released last July, a complete redesign after eight years since the second generation launched in 2016.

The first impression was that it is "not small." Despite being a compact SUV, it exuded considerable presence. The vehicle length is 4,720 mm, up to 55 mm longer than the previous generation. It is 5 to 40 mm longer than competitors such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Genesis GV70. The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles), which determines interior space, is also relatively long at 2,890 mm compared to vehicles in the same class. The curves on the hood and sides evoke a muscular look. It secured an improved aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.29 cd, better than the previous generation, by enhancing aerodynamic performance.

Power is also sufficient. With a maximum output of 258 horsepower and a maximum torque of 40.8 kgf·m, it was possible to drive on the road without feeling sluggish. The time to reach 100 km/h is 6.2 seconds. It had enough power and moved smoothly. Compared to similarly sized competitors, it offers a heavier driving feel. The fact that it has permanent all-wheel drive also added to its strength.

Even at higher speeds, quietness was maintained. The double-glazed laminated glass blocked wind noise, and noise from the road surface was appropriately filtered. By properly utilizing the five driving modes?Comfort, Sport, Eco, Individual, and Off-road?you can enjoy a quiet yet fun drive. Especially in Off-road mode, it offers a 'transparent hood' function that shows the blind spot at the front lower part, which is hard to see directly from the driver's seat.

Equipped with a mild hybrid system, it is also efficient. The starter generator adds 17 kW and 200 Nm of power. During the driving period, it consistently recorded 11 to 12 km/l, exceeding the official combined fuel efficiency of 10.8 km/l.

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC Interior

The interior is neat and stable. It strikes a balance between being neither overly flashy nor too plain. Instead of the traditional wood finish on the dashboard, a dark gray base with neat vertical stripes combined with subtle ambient lighting gives a tidy impression. In the center, a large 11.9-inch display is prominently positioned.

The popularity of this all-rounder is also proven by the numbers. According to the Korea Imported Automobile Association, a total of 3,348 GLC series vehicles were sold in the first half of this year. This accounts for one-third of Benz's SUV sales during the same period. Excluding electric vehicles like Tesla, it is the best-selling imported SUV overall.

However, there are some flaws. The persistent issue of rolling back when starting on a hill occasionally occurs. For Apple CarPlay, the 'pinch zoom' function, which allows zooming in or out on the map by placing two fingers simultaneously, is not supported when using navigation. Considering that this function works on Android Auto, this is a disappointing point. The second row has only air vents and no climate control function. Ventilated seats are also not supported. For an SUV priced in the mid-80 million KRW range, these are somewhat lacking features.