Used 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC

Drivers looking for the excellence of the Mercedes-Benz brand packaged as a practical compact crossover will be delighted by the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. In a crowded segment of compact luxury SUVs, the GLC-Class has done a good job representing its brand’s identity with an elegant interior, handsome styling, and an engaging driving experience. A couple of competitors that bring something similar to the table include the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.

The GLC-Class continues as a carryover model for the 2022 model year. However, for 2022, the new AMG GLC 63 S is introduced, making a whopping 503 horsepower. That makes it compete more effectively with the Porsche Macan GTS, the BMW X3 M with the Competition Package, and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. There are also some newly standard safety and tech features across the model range for 2022.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is a pleasant SUV that’s easy to drive. It’s small enough to be maneuverable on city streets and easy to park, but comfortable enough for long-distance highway driving. The base turbocharged inline-4 engine delivers a satisfying balance of eager performance and good fuel economy.

The character of the GLC-Class can change a bit depending on the drive mode. There are five drive modes: Individual, Sport, Sport+, Comfort, and Eco. These change things like the throttle mapping, steering response, and suspension stiffness to make your drive comfortable, sporty, or anything you’d like with the customizable Individual mode.

The 9-speed automatic transmission that comes with every GLC-Class is excellent. Shifts are so quick and so smooth that you’ll hardly notice them in everyday driving, which is what you want from an automatic transmission.

A GLC 300 with 4Matic all-wheel drive is up for some mild off-roading, but it lacks the low-range gearing of a true off-roader. The 4Matic system is more intended for traversing snowy roads with greater confidence.

The performance of the GLC-Class heats up quite a bit when you upgrade to the performance-oriented AMG models. The AMG GLC 43 packs a turbocharged inline-6, while the mighty AMG GLC 63 (and the more powerful S model) is the rare compact SUV powered by a V8 engine, which is mated to a pair of turbochargers.

The AMG GLC 43 is an exciting SUV that delivers a significant boost in power and torque over the GLC 300, but the AMG GLC 63 and the more powerful S model are on another level of performance. The AMG GLC 63 S claims a blistering 0-60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds, which is tied with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and quicker than the BMW X3 M Competition and the Jaguar F-Pace SVR.

The interior of the GLC-Class is elegant and refined, as you might expect from a Mercedes-Benz. It does its job well as a practical compact crossover that’s spacious and versatile but still luxurious and high-tech.

There are premium materials throughout this cabin, even in the base model. Adding to its practicality is a good amount of cubbies and storage spaces for gadgets, sunglasses, and other odds and ends.

The seats in the GLC-Class are supportive and comfortable. The back seats are accommodating for kids and adults alike. Cargo space is average for this class, and it gets roomier if you fold down the back seats.

This interior’s excellent tech features include a standard 10.25-inch MBUX infotainment system, an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and 64-color ambient interior lighting. You also have various options in leather seating, wood trim, and more.

The exterior of the GLC-Class is stylish with a hint of rugged character. It comes standard with LED headlights and taillights, plus stylish alloy wheels and tasteful use of chrome.

The appearance gets sportier if you upgrade to the AMG models, which have their own unique grilles, wheels, and body styling. If you like the AMG look but don’t like the price tag or fuel economy of the AMG models, you can get an AMG Line appearance package on the GLC 300, giving the exterior and interior a sportier aesthetic.

The size of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is in line with the rest of the compact luxury SUV class. Its dimensions are very similar to the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Porsche Macan. Within the Mercedes-Benz lineup, the GLC-Class falls between the smaller GLB-Class and the bigger GLE-Class.

DYNAMIC SELECT
Five available drive modes — one of which you can customize yourself — allow you to change the driving dynamics of the GLC-Class on the fly.

MBUX INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
The standard 10.25-inch screen is beautiful and easy to use. It’s loaded with smartphone connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 is a nicely equipped SUV, even in the base GLC 300 model. Standard features include heated/power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, the Mercedes me mobile app that has remote start and parking damage detection, power liftgate, household-type power outlet, universal garage door opener, and 40/20/40-split power folding back seats.

The standard infotainment system in the GLC-Class is a 10.25-inch screen loaded with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and “Hey, Mercedes” keyword activation with voice control.

Standard safety tech includes active brake assist, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, attention assist, adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, and parking sensors with active parking assist.

As well appointed as the GLC 300 is, a couple of driver assistance features come standard on some more affordable rivals, but not the GLC. These mainly include adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, making highway driving safer and more relaxed.

Many standalone options and option packages make the GLC-Class quite customizable, but it also means the price can climb quickly. One of the most popular options is 4Matic all-wheel drive, making the GLC-Class better for snowy climates and giving it mild off-road capabilities. A sport-tuned version of 4Matic comes standard on the AMG models.

One popular option package for the GLC-Class is the Driver Assistance Package. It adds many features, including adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, speed limit assist, lane-keep assist, active blind-spot assist, route-based speed adaptation, and more.

Other option packages include a Premium Package with hands-free access, SiriusXM, and ambient interior lighting. There’s also a Multimedia Package with navigation with augmented video and speed limit assist.

There are three AMG variants of the GLC-Class available. The most practical choice among them is the AMG GLC 43, powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine that adds more performance upgrades like a transmission and 4Matic system tuned by AMG, a sport-tuned air suspension, and upgraded brakes.

The AMG GLC 63 and AMG GLC 63 S use different tunings of the same twin-turbo V8 engine. This engine delivers outstanding performance, and these models also come with 4Matic+ with fully adaptive torque vectoring, AMG exhaust (optional on AMG GLC 43), 6-piston front brake calipers, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.

All AMG models come with a sporty appearance package inside and out, which you can get as an option on the GLC 300 if you like the look.

A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 powers most GLC models. This is a good engine with performance and fuel economy numbers that are about average for a base engine in this class. Acceleration is more than adequate for everyday driving, and it’s pretty efficient on the highway.

If you have an appetite for performance and you have some extra room in your budget, the AMG GLC 43 with a twin-turbo V6 under the hood is an excellent upgrade. It turns up power and torque significantly, but you will be getting worse fuel economy. If that’s a trade-off you’re willing to make, this is an exciting yet practical SUV.

A twin-turbo V8 with two different tunings is available under the hood of the GLC-Class. The AMG GLC 63 and AMG GLC 63 S are serious performance SUVs on-par with the fastest in this class. They’re not cheap or efficient, but they’re absolutely thrilling.

Every GLC-Class uses a 9-speed automatic transmission. The GLC 300 has standard rear-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The AMG GLC 43 uses a unique sport-tuned 4Matic AWD system, and the AMG GLC 63 models use a 4Matic+ system with fully variable torque distribution.

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: 22/27 mpg (RWD), 21/28 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (GLC 43)
385 horsepower @ 5,500-6,000 rpm
384 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

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

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