Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is the more free-spirited and stylish sibling to the Mercedes GLC compact luxury SUV. It trades a more rounded, coupe-like design for some of the standard GLC’s cargo room and practicality. Yet it doesn’t lose a significant amount of the GLC’s versatility. In this respect, the GLC Coupe lets you have your cake and eat it, too. Like its BMW X4 rival, the GLC Coupe blends the unique aesthetics and sloping roof associated with a coupe and the all-wheel-drive traction and enhanced cargo space of a crossover SUV.

As with the GLC SUV, the GLC Coupe boasts Mercedes-Benz’s tech-forward yet elegant cabin design, array of creature comforts, and even longer list of options. Reflecting the GLC’s live-for-today persona, this is a model in which the performance variants outnumber standard one. The GLC 300, with its 255-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder, represents the base model. All other variants from Mercedes’ AMG performance division.

The GLC Coupe’s premium persona comes with a premium price over its more conservative sibling. At around $50,000, the GLC Coupe is several thousand more than the GLC. And while you can’t get a plug-in hybrid variant as you can with the standard Mercedes-Benz GLC, you can get the exclusive Mercedes-AMG 63 S variant, a 503-horsepower monster that does 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

Because the two share the same basic underpinnings, it should come as no surprise that the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Coupe rides and drives very much like its GLC SUV sibling. And that’s not a bad thing in any way. The days of SUVs riding and driving like tall trucks are long gone, and Mercedes-Benz has done an excellent job with the GLC’s suspension and steering, making it almost as enjoyable as driving a car.

The Coupe departs from the SUV in that 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard with no rear-drive model offered. With 255 horses on hand from the standard turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the GLC Coupe has no issues with rapid off-the-line acceleration or passing power, earning a 0-60-mph time of just 6.2 seconds.

That power is put to the ground via an excellent 9-speed transmission and a driver-oriented all-wheel-drive system that not only improves cornering but also traction in wet or snow-covered road conditions. There are five drive modes, including settings for Sport and Sport+ that improve throttle response and shift timing for an even sportier feel. The GLC Coupe can even venture off-road, although we doubt many will take the challenge.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is a wonderful Goldilocks that bridges the base GLC 300 model and the truly agro AMG 63 variants. The GLC 43’s twin-turbo V6 makes a satisfying 385 horsepower and launches this svelte crossover from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

Of course, if you have the means and want your GLC Coupe stuffed with a handcrafted V8, that is available in the AMG GLC 63 Coupe. With that, you get 469 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds. More insane still is the AMG GLC 63 S Coupe. Costing over $84,000, this version tunes the V8 to 503 horsepower, resulting in 3.6-second 0-60 mph blasts. We dub this the Go Big or Go Home edition.

One look inside the GLC Coupe brings about a feeling of deja vu. That’s because the Coupe shares much of its dash, door panel, and seat design with the standard GLC SUV. Long the class leader for interior standards of materials, design, and comfort, the GLC Coupe’s 2-row/5-passenger interior exceeds its price point. Rich wood and metal surrounds reside in place of the hard plastics found in many competitors. Mercedes’ MB-Tex is a quality synthetic leather that comes standard. Genuine leather is also available in various colors.

The 2021 GLC Coupe comes with a 10.25-inch touchscreen mated with a console touch-pad controller. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is optional. Two new steering-wheel options include more controls for the driver aids and new MBUX telematics that includes casual voice-recognition commands such as “Hey Mercedes, I need coffee.”

The GLC Coupe’s sloping roof impedes a bit on cargo space, but not drastically. Behind the rear seats is 17.6 cubic feet of space, vs. the standard GLC’s 19.4. Folding the GLC Coupe’s back seat opens up 49.4 cubic feet, vs. the standard GLC’s 56.5 cubic feet.

The GLC Coupe’s exterior design is its distinguishing feature. Whereas the standard GLC has the kind of boxier shape associated with a utility vehicle, the GLC Coupe is more elegant thanks to a roof that slopes at the end. This is what puts the “coupe” in GLC Coupe.

Of course, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe isn’t really a 2-door coupe. It’s a 5-door hatchback, but its sleek appearance pulls off that illusion as well as an SUV can. But there’s the rub: It’s still based on a high-riding SUV, and there’s a bit of a mismatch from some angles. This happens with the BMW X4 as well, especially on models with larger wheels and tires. Still, we give credit to the design team for making an inherently difficult shape easy on the eyes.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC Coupe variants have more aggressive details to back up their added power and performance. This starts with a prominent grille up front with horizontal slats and a quad exhaust outlets in the rear.

DYNAMIC SELECT
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe comes with multiple drive-mode settings that vary performance and fuel economy. Comfort mode provides a nice mix of acceleration and comfortable driving, while the Sport and Sport+ modes improve throttle response and shift points for a more dynamic experience. You can even choose your own parameters with the customized Individual setting.

BURMESTER AUDIO
This high-end audio system from Germany’s Burmester is among our favorite out there. And at only $850, it’s a great value that your ears will enjoy for years.

The GLC Coupe costs more than the SUV model, but comes with more features. Notably, 4Matic all-wheel drive, LED headlights and a power sunroof are all standard. Also standard is a power liftgate, power-folding mirrors and, 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition, a 10.25-inch color infotainment display with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power-operated and heated front seats, MB-Tex faux-leather upholstery, and wood trim. On the safety side of things, there’s standard collision prevention with automatic emergency braking, as well as blind-spot monitor, exit assist, rain-sensing wipers, and crosswind assist. Also standard are remote seatback releases in the cargo area, a 115-volt outlet, and a heated windshield-washer system.

Options for the GLC Coupe are offered in packages and as stand-alone items. We recommend the Driver Assistance package that adds adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, active lane-departure warning and assist, active rear cross-traffic alert, and active blind-spot monitoring.

The Multimedia package adds navigation, MBUX-augmented video for navigation, live traffic information, and speed-limit assist. The Exterior Lighting package brings active LED headlights and auto high beams, while the Advanced Parking Assist package adds an around-view camera, and a self-parking mode to let the car do the heavy lifting.

Stand-alone features include ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, Burmester audio (standard on Mercedes-AMG 63 models), 3-zone climate control, wireless charging pad, and a number of service packages that include Mercedes Me connected services.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 uses a 255-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder, powering all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission. Don’t be fooled: This is a stout engine, getting the GLC Coupe from a standstill to 60 mph in about 6.2 seconds.

Its ample 273 lb-ft of torque is available from 1,800-4,000 rpm, meaning the engine is always eager to help get you moving, and boost lag isn’t much of a problem. Fuel economy comes in at 28 mpg on the highway, not bad at all. However, premium fuel is a requirement.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe boasts a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 good for 385 horsepower. An AMG-tuned 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is standard, as is a 9-speed automatic transmission. A fuel-economy figure of 24 mpg on the highway is fairly impressive, given this engine’s power and torque.

Stepping up to the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 gets you a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 469 horsepower, or 503 in the GLC 63 S. These ultra-performance models also use a 9-speed automatic transmission even more advanced AMG 4-Matic+ system.

All GLC Coupe models have an idle start/stop system that cuts engine power at stoplights. It can be disabled via a switch.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (GLC 300)
255 horsepower @ 5,800-6,100 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/28 mpg

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (AMG GLC 43)
385 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
384 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (AMG GLC 63)
469 horsepower @ 5,500-6,250 rpm
479 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (AMG GLC 63 S)
503 horsepower @ 5,500-6,250 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 mpg