Earlier this winter, Mercedes announced that they are going to stop selling a number of models with petrol and diesel engines in Norway.
Already this year, the GLA, GLB, C-Class and E-Class will be phased out. One of the few diesel cars to live on is the medium-sized SUV GLC.
It has recently arrived in the country in a completely new generation.
After only a few meters behind the wheel, it is clear that Mercedes has raised the car many notches, compared to the previous version. But the car has also become significantly more expensive.
It is about both weight tax and the fact that the car itself has become more lavish. With a 2-litre diesel engine, the test car ends up with a price tag of just over NOK 1.2 million. Is it worth the money?
See video of the new GLC at the top of the story.
NEW: At first glance, it is not so easy to see that this is a new generation GLC, but the new and narrow LED lights at the rear reveal it.
How is it to drive?
A lot has happened to the chassis of the new GLC. As extra equipment, you get both Airmatic air suspension and rear axle steering, which our test car can offer.
To start with the damping system: It works great. In short, the GLC has never been more comfortable than it is now. You get more of a big car feeling now, compared to the predecessor.
AMG: The car has the full AMG package, which also includes the rim design.
You can choose to drive the car in sport mode. Then the dampers tighten a little, but this is still not a particularly sporty car to drive. Here, the main emphasis is on the comfortable.
And speaking of comfortable. Mercedes has worked a lot to reduce the noise level inside the compartment. It is felt. Firstly, the car has become more aerodynamic than before, which contributes to less wind noise. On top of this, it can be supplied with thermal insulation glass, which further reduces outside noise.
It is no secret that the new GLC 220d with a diesel engine will not be a big seller in electric car Norway. But you world what an efficient engine and drivetrain this is.
The 2-litre now produces 197 horsepower and 440 Nm. It should be said that this is a “mild hybrid” – which means that a small electric motor contributes 23 horsepower and 220 Nm more, over short periods.
The diesel engine is strong and suits the car well. This also applies to the 9-speed automatic gearbox, which switches elegantly between gears.
We almost have to look twice at the consumption meter. When driving very quietly, we manage to achieve a consumption of just 0.35 litres/mile. More normal driving on country roads, we are at around 0.5 litres/mile. Not bad for an SUV with four-wheel drive and weighing 2 tonnes.
Mercedes stops the sale of several top sellers
PREMIUM: The new interior is both elegant and functional.
Space and practical solutions
What you get with you:
The new GLC has grown. It has become 60 mm longer than its predecessor, which, among other things, benefits the luggage compartment.
The volume has increased by 70 liters compared to the previous model. This means that the new GLC has 620 liters available with the rear seats up, and 1,640 liters if the rear seats are folded down.
To put the size of the car into perspective: the new GLC is actually 13 cm longer than the first generation ML. So a bit has happened over the years…
BIGGER: The GLC has become 6 cm longer. It contributes positively to the luggage compartment.
Life in the back seat:
The back seat in the new GLC is a pleasant place to be. Nice space, soft leather seats and panoramic sunroof contribute well to the good feeling.
You can also control the temperature individually – with two-zone air conditioning.
DETAILS: Notice the details and stitching in the leather seats.
Behind the wheel:
The previous GLC delivered well in terms of perceived quality, but some criticized the car for the slightly detached infotainment screen.
Now Mercedes has cleaned up properly. The entire interior is inspired by the S-Class and at the same time has many similarities with the new C-Class. You can see it clearly on both the air nozzles, the digital instruments and the media screen in the middle of 11.9 inches.
In our test car, you get both brown wood, black piano lacquer and aluminium-coloured mouldings. A pleasant combination that promotes the feeling of modern luxury. If you are not a fan of wood, there are several other options you can choose from.
If we’re going to poke at something, it’s the absence of physical buttons for the most important functions. Such as air conditioning and volume adjustment. Now you have to visit the screen to adjust the temperature in the car. It was easier before, with physical buttons.
The same applies to the volume control. Now there is only a tiny touch zone – which feels more insensitive than the delicious and precise volume wheel of its predecessor.
Test E 350 All Terrain: Now it’s absolutely perfect – and it’s almost a little sad…
OFFROAD: With the new “offroad mode” activated, the car is raised and you will get an overview of useful information on the screens, such as the car’s angle and damper compression. With the 360-degree camera, you have a full overview of the car in the terrain, in addition to the new function that shows a “transparent” bonnet.
Design
Although this is a brand new generation, the differences are not very big on the outside.
At the front, Mercedes has made small adjustments to both the lights, grill and fenders.
It is the rear lights that most clearly reveal that this is a new model. They are much narrower and sportier in their expression now.
We have already mentioned the interior – which is brand new. On the inside, you are never in doubt that this is a brand new car. Here, the premium feeling has been raised several notches.
EQ BOOST: Under the bonnet of the GLC 220d lives an efficient four-cylinder two-litre diesel engine with 197 horsepower and a torque of 440 Nm. In addition, the EQ-Boost function provides an additional performance of 23 horsepower and 200 Nm.
Tech-factor
With a new generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), several novelties appear. Among other things, Norwegian voice control. By using the command “Hello, Mercedes”, you can, for example, ask about the snow conditions in the nearest ski slope, or change the color of the interior lighting.
Digital Light is also worth mentioning. The LED lights consist of a light module with three powerful LEDs, which are controlled by 1.3 million micromirrors in each lamp. The resolution is therefore more than 2.6 million pixels. This provides better precision under demanding lighting conditions, and high beams that mask oncoming traffic.
In the event of roadworks, traffic lights, stop signs or prohibition signs, the lights will project a warning symbol onto the road. If you are driving in a narrow street, the lights will project guide lines. If you meet a pedestrian, they will have a flood light on them. We have tested – and it works very well.
COMFORT: Comfortable seating position and air dampers ensure historically good comfort in the GLC.
Conclusion
It is interesting to see the evolution of the GLC. Especially if we include the GLK – as it was called in its day. While the GLK was far from the most extravagant model from Mercedes, the car has developed to smell of the luxury stamp this generation.
The car has never been bigger, more comfortable or better equipped than now. The only question is whether it is worth more than 1.2 million – as the test car ends up…
We believe the answer is two-fold: On one side, you can get a LOT of other exciting things for the same price. Not least if you consider fully electric. EQC, for example, starts at NOK 745,000. That is NOK 135,000 cheaper than the GLC’s starting price.
But if you’re not ready for an electric car, and don’t want to think about range or charging, then the GLC 220d is obviously a solid and good choice – even if it costs…
Read the test of the previous generation GLC here
Mercedes GLC 220d 4Matic
Engine and performances:
- Engine: 2-liter R4
- Effekt: 197 hk (+23 hk Boost) / 440 Nm (+ 200 Nm Boost)
- 0-100km/t: 8 seconds
- Top speed: 219 km/h
- Consumption: 0.52 litres/mile (mixed)
Measurements, weight and volume:
- L/B/H: 4,71, 2,07, 1,64 m
- Weight: 2,000 kg
- Luggage compartment: 620 litres
- Trailer weight: 2.5 tonnes
Price from: DKK 880,123
Price test car: DKK 1,209,458
Video: Watch our meeting with the new GLC 220d here:
