At Mercedes-Benz, they weighed for a long time whether to respond to the BMW X6, but, once deciding, the Swabians gave the green light to the project of the more compact GLC Coupe, the anti-BMW X4, without hesitation.
Pushing the poles apart
Appearance for the SUV Coupe, this hippo hybrid with a quivering doe, is everything! But it is also true that there is no dispute about forms. Here the Bavarians like two-seat coupes with their roof falling sharply to a short stern, and BMW transfers this formula to the X6 / X4, which are longer than the base X5 / X3 by a few millimeters. Swabians prefer stretched, sloping roofs of large coupes, and therefore the GLC Coupe (code designation C253) outgrew the regular GLC in the longitudinal dimension by a significant 76 mm, and all of them fell on the stern without a trace. If you hang characteristic stylistic elements of modern Mercedes-Benz coupes on this overall “frame”, throwing out frameless doors that increase the cost of construction and create unnecessary problems with soundproofing the cabin, you will get a very good subject, as the example of the GLE Coupe has already convinced. Actually, C253, as required by intra-family subordination, reaches out for his older brother, perhaps using steroids with a little more caution.
You will say that BMW or Porsche with their X6 / X4 and Cayenne / Macan do about the same. Perhaps. And yet, it was the Swabians, who later turned their direct competitors onto the SUV Coupe track, went on principle. Mercedes-Benz was the first among premium Germans (although much later than Infiniti with its EX) openly admitted that the owners of these 100% fashion cars drive off the asphalt only at gunpoint, which, of course, happens, but still not every day. If so, the ground clearance with the basic suspension can be “cut off” from the GLC 181 to 155 mm (and this is without crankcase protection installed), and the ramp angle can be compressed to 13.4 ° or a degree less than that of the smart ForTwo new microcar. Not enough? Well, then lay out 178,628 rubles. 40 kop. for the air suspension, which at the maximum will allow to raise the clearance of the GLC Coupe to the German standard of ≈200 mm. However, there is a much more compelling reason for such an acquisition. But about her later. In the meantime, it should be recognized: C253, on which, in addition to the “standard” decorative bottom protection, you can install quite real aluminum steps, but not a technical off-road package from the GLC, pushed the off-road pole to hell. And is it reckless?
So similar, so different
Getting a bonus non-stick pan for finding a dozen differences between the GLC Coupe and the GLC isn't as easy as it sounds. Yes, the C253 looks more streamlined, although the drag coefficient is still 0.31. A meager value, when compared with 0.36 Porsche Macan (0.33-0.35 for the BMW X4), but the Swabians do not need bare numbers, but the result. This means that double side glazing appears in the options list, with which the GLC Coupe is a sound chamber itself. Well, almost. The stretching of the C253 in length did not affect the turning circle, 11.8 m. Does the larger GLE Coupe have the same? Take it for granted: this is the unspoken standard for mid-size premium SUVs. Just as traditionally, their coupe versions lose out to the basic, “universal” (if available), in terms of cargo compartment capacity, and the GLC Coupe is no exception. But to give at least a liter to "bosom friend", X4? Not my God! Here, a Macan walking on its own can be allowed to break away by 100 liters in a two-seat configuration, and the “British” Jaguar F-Pace - by almost all 200. And this is with a dokatka in the underground of the cargo compartment of the “jaga”. The "Germans", put on a strict weight diet, have only a can of sealant. Do you want additional anti-puncture insurance? Order run-flat tires with reinforced sidewalls. However, since 2017, for the usual GLC, they will offer the so-called “folding” dokatka, but for the GLC Coupe, which does not break its connection with civilization, this is recognized as overkill. Fortunately, the fuel tank of the 220 d / 250 d versions for the Russian market has not been increased from European 50 to the maximum possible 66 liters. It's just the same with the GLC. Roulette fixes parity between relatives and in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the cabin. However, the C253 is 38 mm lower than its “cousin” not only due to the ground clearance. So that the compartment roof does not put pressure on the heads of riders, the Swabians called for help from the vertical: they reduced the angles of inclination of the windshield pillars and the back of the sofa, which is now quite suitable for correcting stooped figures. This, in fact, is almost the only difference between the interiors of the GLC Coupe / GLC, because even the ceiling handles, unlike the GLE Coupe, were not cut down.
The quality of workmanship and the level of equipment with security / comfort systems of the GLC Coupe are premium without any discounts.
Wait a minute, but where does the extra charge of at least half a million with a “tail” of rubles for “parallel” versions of the C253 come from?! In a way, this is a Swabian tradition laid down by the GLE Coupe. And yet, hold off shouting: “Help! Robbery!” Although when compared with the price list for X4, the first reaction is exactly that. The “Bavaria” has two versions of the six available in Russia that do not reach the mark of 3,000,000 rubles, a luxury tax trigger. There are no such “democrats” in the GLC Coupe line. As there are no options with the “mechanics” that are offered for the X4 xDrive20d. And it’s hard to call the premium equipment of a BMW model even with top motorization options. In order to somehow get closer to the level of equipment of the GLC Coupe, the Bavarian will need the optional M-Sport or Exclusive packages for 430,000-560,000 rubles. And this is a completely different arithmetic! But what about the price gap between C253 and GLC? Here, too, not everything can be attributed to the arbitrariness of rogue marketers: a number of high-tech options have been transferred to the category of standard equipment. Lists of custom equipment are also not twin brothers. Yes, due to the shape of the body, the C253 was left without roof rails (which does not prevent the installation of an upper trunk) and a panoramic roof, but a sports exhaust system is available for gasoline versions. It's a coupe!
two speeds
The classic performance indicators of the GLC Coupe copied a blueprint from the GLC. The weight of the "parallel" versions of the models is the same or close to that. Recoil of motors? No discrepancies. Gear ratios AKP9 - too. The C253 did not receive the second “manual” mode of the box with a blocking of switching ranges up and kick-down, following the example of the GLE Coupe. So where does the difference come from? And, at first glance, it really does not exist. Missing on the test 220 d (from 3,720,000 rubles) with a 170-horsepower turbo engine, acceleration from standstill to “hundreds” in 8.3 s and a “maximum speed” of 210 km / h looks convincing. His older brother in the "solar-eating" family, 204-horsepower 250 d (7.6 s / 222 km / h), is generally a quiet horror. Quiet, because it disguises its diesel nature to the point of obscenity, and horror, because the huge 500 Nm of thrust from the bottom turn it into an absolute favorite in traffic light races, while the price is from 3,890,000 rubles. - in the most expensive GLC Coupe with turbo-fours. Another thing is that outside the city the ardor of this version is melting. Here is a gasoline 211-horsepower 250th (7.3 s / 222 km / h) with a starting price of 3,660,000 rubles. universal. And yet, not to the point of depriving the meaning of the “three hundredth” (from 3,850,000 rubles) on light fuel. The top non-literal version with a 245-horsepower 2.0-liter engine (6.5 s / 236 km / h) accelerates much faster from 110-120 km / h when overtaking on highways, and when the automatic transmission is switched to the “Sport +” mode, such a GLC Coupe can even be suspected of using Ozverin, the response to pressing the gas pedal becomes so sharp.
Great! But where does the “second” speed of C253 come from? Fortunately, there are still roads in the world where chassis settings decide more than engine output. And the GLC Coupe has some trump cards here. So, the sports suspension goes to him "in the base", and not as an option, like just the GLC. However, the assessment of the chassis of such C253 is postponed, since the organizers selected only versions with optional active shock absorbers for the test. Their combination with steel springs already gives the result for a solid “four”. Missing to "excellent" score gets GLC Coupe with branded multi-chamber pneumatic elements. Such a suspension, even in the “Sport +” mode and in combination with “19-inch” tires, perfectly smooths out coarse-grained asphalt, joints and minor coating defects by Russian standards, and “speed bumps” allows you to drive without a whisper. However, as project curator Axel Benzeler told me, the GLC/GLC Coupe has the same settings for the two active suspension options. The common standard is also used in the "integral" transmission 4Matic (traction distribution along the axes 45:55). More driver's ratio of 31:69 is reserved for the AMG versions of the "cousins" with a 367-horsepower V6. In fact, Mercedes-Benz engineers could offer an intermediate option for non-letter C253, say, 37:63, but this would be too reminiscent of the temperature during acute respiratory infections.
A rounded rear window without a wiper (it is replaced by airflow), narrow lights, a license plate niche moved into the bumper - the GLC Coupe maintains the new Swabian coupe standard set by the S-Class Coupe.
What if there is no fever? The already lower center of gravity of the GLC Coupe gives a better feeling of the car, and the loading height is increased to 824 mm vs. 720 mm for the simple GLC, not only to pump up the muscles of the owners, but also for the sake of greater body rigidity in the aft. Well, the card, thanks to which the solitaire coupe finally took shape, was the “sharpening” of the steering wheel. The Swabians, having looked at the gear ratios of the "steering wheels" of the conventional GLC and AMG versions (16.1: 1 / 14.1: 1), immediately realized which option suggests itself - 15.1: 1. So, without a radical redrawing of the design, only with the help of verified point measures, C253 was endowed with compartment speed of reactions. What, the base GLC is also not a bumpkin? Everything is relative…
Text: Mikhail Kozlov
A smooth, literally slick body, smooth, imperceptible operation of the power unit and comfort, this is the main thing you need to know about the four-door. This is what determines its success in the mid-size premium crossover market, and this is what attracts wealthy buyers from all over the world.
- Turin, Italy
People by nature hate change. An ordinary person is extremely wary of any serious changes, even sometimes without noticing it, on the subconscious meets them with hostility. Absolutely the same attitude is characteristic of the automotive world. There are on which more than one generation of people has grown up. In Russia, these were some brands and models, others in the States, third, fourth, fifth, and so on in European countries. It is very difficult to part with what you are used to and even more difficult to accept new paradigms. Especially when the concept, as it seems to us, is ahead of its time.
All these sedans, some of which are now called , which are in fact slightly elevated station wagons and other types and subspecies of modern cars become a serious obstacle to our classic perception of automotive design.
Mercedes is one of the few automakers that masterfully solves this problem. He creates innovative, but at the same time extremely attractive machines for most people. These novelties can already be called classics at birth, and in fact they are perceived by the majority.
The hero of our story is ideally suited to this tribe, which will actually be discussed:. Let's take a closer look at its pros and cons.
Engineers have retuned the steering to make it more responsive than the standard GLC. The result is a super-steady and extremely responsive crossover that doesn't have the concept of being overly imposing, and feels at home on mountain serpentines.
The meeting place cannot be changed or where the test drive took place.
To feel this car, you need a certain entourage. For the Mercedes GLC Coupe, the Italian Alps seem to be the best choice. Firstly, the classic look of European villages and incredibly breathtaking highland landscapes just suit this tomboy. Secondly, mountain serpentines can really reveal the whole character of this crossover and answer the main question, who is he an athlete, a family car or a jack of all trades? Let's go, let's check.
Even the sportiest and toughest drive mode, Sport+, can't hide the GLC's hefty heft and body roll.
The adaptive dampers and optional adjustable dampers have come a long way in terms of tweaks and improvements. The GLC Coupe is equipped with a unique suspension designed specifically for this model.
"There is a basic version with a coiled steel spring and an optional version with pneumatic double chamber shock absorbers - both of these options can also be found on the GLC SUV. The differences are the unique suspension settings for the GLC Coupé. To this we have added a variant with springs and damping adjustment, which is what we call Dynamic Body Control," talked about the benefits of the suspension on the first test drive of the GLC, the chief engineer of Mercedes-Benz Michael Kalz.
But no matter how perfect the suspension is, the 1,800 kg tonnage will be hard to level and even the sportiest and toughest Sport + driving mode can't hide the GLC's hefty mass and body roll.
Because of this important nuance, the driving experience on the GLC Coupe is quite strange. On the one hand, you constantly want to maintain a high rhythm of movement, brazenly go into turns, always be a little faster than the flow. On the other hand, sharp turns will force the car to tighten up and a little body roll will show you that it would be worth curbing your appetite here.
Otherwise, any type of suspension presented on the crossover will swallow moderate and small irregularities without any complaints, protecting the comfort of its passengers at the highest level.
The variety of motors on the GLC Coupe is a moderate amount. They are not very many, but not enough:
The range includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol unit with 201 hp. in the GLC 250 Coupe model, as well as a turbocharged 2.2-liter that develops 168 hp. in the GLC 220 d Coupé and 201 horsepower under the hood of the GLC 250 d Coupe.
However, at the beginning of sales of the updated GLC, the only power unit under the hood will be a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine, which is actually installed in the GLC300 Coupe model. Combined with the 9G-Tronic, this is a very capable unit that effortlessly accelerates an almost 2-ton car in almost 6 seconds! The motor develops 245 hp. at 5,500 rpm and 370 Nm of torque.
The real compromise between coupe style and crossover roominess is felt in the back seat. There is enough space above your head, probably, for all passengers, regardless of height. The trunk will also please with spaciousness.
Improved steering, a familiar powertrain from the 2016 GLC and GLC Coupe lineup, and distinctive looks tell us the 2017 model is related to the GLC city SUV. Traditionally, the coupe has sacrificed practicality and functionality for style. In principle, this is the meaning of this segment.
But the Mercedes wouldn't be itself if it didn't make a deliberate compromise between coupe style and crossover roominess, which is exactly what you get when you sit in the back seat. There is enough space above your head, probably, for all passengers, regardless of height. The trunk will also please with spaciousness.
And now in order. The volume of the luggage compartment with raised backrests in the second row is 500 liters. The maximum possible luggage capacity is 1400 liters. Compared to its progenitor, the GLC crossover, the figures are modest, because the latter has a trunk capacity of 550 liters / 1600 liters. But if you talk about capacity, taking into account the nuances of the appearance of the GLC Coupe crossover, the figures turn out to be very good. Practicality was not affected by either the peculiar trunk or the sloping roofline.
As for the convenience of landing on the second row. Here, not everything is as rosy as we would like it to be. Yes, the ceiling on the GLC Coupe is not low, and citizens of slightly above average height (180-187 cm) can really sit behind. For everyone above this threshold, the second row will be clearly uncomfortable. They better use the front seat. You always have to pay for the beauty of the lines, and the payment in our case is given by comfort.
Otherwise, inside the new GLC Coupe 2017 model year you feel exactly the same as in any other Mercedes. Everything here is done at the highest level. Excellent quality materials, thoughtful logic of the location of the car control buttons, materialized comfort in every centimeter of the interior of the crossover. The elegant lining of the cabin relaxes, the intuitive infotainment system does not irritate, an adequate steering wheel and a well-thought-out seat encourage sporty behavior on the road.
The GLC looks like a complete and in many ways very enjoyable crossover for a large family. GLC Coupe goes to another plane. It becomes a stylish and daring off-road vehicle. Which can give not only practicality, but also style.
The 2016 4MATIC version in the Sport package costs almost 4 million rubles in Russia, 3.850.000 rubles to be exact. The 2017 coupe crossover may cost a bit more. Of course, first of all, the dollar for which these foreign cars are purchased abroad will affect its cost, and secondly, Daimler AG itself will probably raise the price tag.
The closest competitors of the GLC and GLC Coupe from BMW, the X3 xDrive28i and X4 xDrive28i models, are now a little cheaper, by 300-350 thousand rubles. And this disproportion exists, it seems to us, not in vain. Which of these cars is more stylish and beautiful? I am sure that 70 percent of our readers will agree with my opinion, not a competitor to the GLC Coupe. The crossover from Mercedes looks much cooler compared to the X4! Therefore, this overpayment is fully justified.
In answer to the question above, sporty, family friendly or versatile, we'll say that the 2017 GLC Coupe is a versatile crossover that strives for excellence. And by the way, he's doing great!
Definitely not design - at least in the case of crossover GLC Coupe. It is difficult to call it beautiful precisely because of an attempt to please, since the fashionable coupe-like roof on a two-ton body is somewhat similar to a desperate attempt to squeeze into corrective underwear - the effect seems to have been achieved, but it still does not look like the result of exhausting training. However, this is just in the order of things: Mercedes rarely speculated on a sense of beauty, so if you look for something special in it, then much, much deeper.
The thorny path of knowledge
But first of all - about what kind of Mercedes this is. As the index suggests, this is a crossover with roots in the C-Class, with which it has a lot in common - the platform, engines and even the interior, about which a little later. In turn, the word coupe Well, you can see everything in the photo. Let me just insert a remark: although the Germans themselves call this body a four-door, there is still a fifth door here. By the way, named five-door " just GLC” turned out to be completely graceless in appearance, so there is still some sense in buying a “coupe”. In addition, it is 8 cm longer, and the loss in trunk volume is only 10 percent - or 50 liters, as you like.
Our Mercedes compensates for some lack of grace when it enters the salon. As already mentioned, the interior here was copied almost unchanged from C-class and he is very cool! Photos do not convey the fullness of emotions, and at this moment the same thing appears for the first time - the feeling of a "Mercedes". You need to dig deep inside yourself to understand its source. He - in exceptional quality and attention to detail, which is not striking, but absorbed by all the senses and a little chakras. One gets the impression that they stopped over each element of the cabin according to the list in order to give it not only a functional, but also an aesthetic load. And at the same time think - is it possible to improve at least a little, say, ventilation deflectors?..
It turned out that it is possible - the deflectors in the GLC Coupe are fixed in the central position, returning to it with a slight click. It seems like a trifle, but thanks to such trifles, the pleasure of interacting with the machine is created. In the list of such trifles, you can write down the forms and tactile sensations from various switches, branded, not like others, seat adjustment unit on the doors, the levers for folding the back of the sofa, located in the cabin, and just an excellent fit of parts - you might think that absolutely nothing has been forgotten here.
Armchairs raise the stakes even higher. They are here on a five on a five-point scale - perfectly balanced in terms of stiffness, with an excellent profile, the presence of a sane lateral support and a roller under your feet. The rear sofa is even better. You just stick into it and sit like a cat in a house. There is plenty of space, you can put your feet under the front seats without creating tension in the joints. The only inconvenience high threshold, through which you need to step over, and so solid comfort and customer care. There are lamps, places for water bottles, cup holders - in a word, everything you need.
500 liter trunk lined from the inside with soft upholstery - apparently in the hope that the owners of "Mercedes" do not carry bags of cement to the construction site. We didn't either. The doorway is narrow, but the folded back of the sofa forms a flat shelf. If suddenly front seats moved too far back and prevent the backrest from being laid down - they automatically move forward. What can I say, "Murzik is Europe."
Of the shortcomings - which do not belong here, but alas, no one is perfect - first of all, it is worth mentioning the unnecessarily difficult to assimilate interface with a two-story building on the center console. There is a touchscreen, and joystick, but the algorithm of their work needs to get used to, and drawing the frequency of the radio station with your finger did not work even on the tenth attempt. Maybe someone with good marks in calligraphy will do better, but in this digital age, 90 percent write like a chicken paw. And Mercedes must forgive, otherwise why is it all? The picture on the screen is just beautiful, but up to the informativeness of some colleagues in the shop infotainment GLC Coupe still doesn't hold up. And we had a version with a reduced functionality - what will happen when everything is included?
Quiet and fast
Ours wears a 250 nameplate on the tailgate - this means that a 2-liter gasoline turbo engine is installed under the hood, developing 211 hp. and 350 Newton meters, available in the range from 1200 to 4 thousand rpm. Outstanding elasticity is reinforced 9-speed automatic, so that at any moment the driver has a reserve of power for a swift maneuver. Unless, of course, he is already galloping, getting to the last third of the speedometer. In general, there is no particular desire to drive our coupe - firstly, 1.8 tons of live weight do not contribute, and secondly, our test copy is not sharpened at all for sporting achievements.
First of all, because here standard spring suspension, tuned more for comfort than for pressing the body to the road in corners. And I must say that things are going quite well with the smoothness of the ride: the chassis successfully dampens small and medium-sized irregularities, and it doesn’t give up in front of large pits, although it’s still better to go around such ones. And of course comfortable settings don't mix well with aggressive driving: the German coupe leans a lot in corners, although the traction margin is higher than you'd expect. And the brakes here are effective, with easily dosed effort, and the steering wheel is moderately sharp(less than three revolutions), and you can even adjust the response of the gas pedal, sharpening the response of the motor. Still, I don't want to drive.
Although, paradoxically, the most optimal engine settings are exactly “Sport”. And if you do not fly a firecracker in a closed room, at any moment you can tickle the vestibular apparatus with intense acceleration in almost complete silence. And this is also it. The same. Feeling like a Mercedes. Of course, gasoline consumption will increase from 11-13 liters in the city to 15, but brand customers and potential buyers are unlikely to pay attention.
How much is a piece of happiness?
Mercedes GLC Coupe 250 is the cheapest in the lineup and in basic equipment will cost 1.5 million hryvnia. And this is not the best deal as of today, because for the same money you can order an outgoing model: a larger and one and a half times more powerful crossover GLE 400. And it's much better suited for off-roading, too, as the GLC isn't worth storming anything bigger than a dirt road after rain.
And once again about the price. Taking into account option list thickness the total cost of the car can reach the peak of 70 thousand euros without noticing the client. There is no lack of supply in this category. So it makes sense to think once again - is it really necessary, for example, the AMG package that the dealer insistently offers? Or even without it, "the rest" is still far from the "Mercedes"?
After all, it is possible to Porsche Macan reach an agreement…
It's good to be at the right time in the right place - but this is not about Mercedes-Benz coupe-crossovers. When the first generation of the BMW X6 drove the blondes of the post-Soviet space crazy, Mercedes could only offer them a "barn-shaped" ML. Not a single blonde wanted to look like a pensioner, so the first round of Mercedes lost miserably. The BMW X4 coupe appeared two years earlier than the hero of today's article - but in this situation, the GLC Coupe is just in time. X4 is no longer a novelty and sticks out at every beauty salon, so the guys from Mercedes-Benz can open champagne? But what exactly to open - champagne or an ampoule with poison, we found out in Italy, during a test drive of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
To begin with, he is just a handsome fellow: stripped of the extra weight of the GLE Coupe, fit and playful. For a city dweller, the dimensions will be a pleasant plus: 4732 mm, there should be no problems with parking.
Although the back of the coupe-crossovers is one big parking problem. It is absolutely impossible to see anything other than makeup in the rearview mirror. But the situation is easily solved with the help of the cameras of the all-round view system and the automatic parking system. We advise all this goodness to be ordered by the owners of the GLC Coupe: rear visibility has fallen victim to style.
But the guys from Mercedes-Benz confidently report that in the process of turning the GLC into a coupe, the trunk volume hardly suffered: 491-1205 liters, they say, you can even carry a bicycle. Looking at the velvet upholstery of the trunk and the shiny bike specially dedicated to the demonstration, you can imagine how dirty you are sticking into a brand new GLC Coupe after a rainy bike ride. I don’t regret what they say, I don’t call, I don’t cry - to be honest, you can’t call the trunk super-spacious. And this is another misfortune of coupe-crossovers: God simply does not give them liters of luggage compartment, everyone leaves Lada Largus.
Profile is good! Beautiful car But the GLC Coupe looks good - “sheds” are sold in another department, here even the “C” series has a body, which is listed as a “coupe” according to internal factory designations. But the world still went crazy: the coupe is now an all-wheel drive car with four doors, and under the hood of the GLC 250 is a two-liter gasoline engine. That is, no respect for classification.
The salon is a clear success of the creators. There is not a hint of German tediousness and rigor - it seems that the Italians were engaged in the interior Especially for those tired of the madness of the modern world, Mercedes-Benz offers a chic interior: at least something is unshakable on this earth. Having slipped on the excessive "plasticity" of the interior of the W211, then the Germans pulled together - and make one of the most stylish and high-quality salons on the planet. It looks expensive, it feels expensive - a good interior, now it's clear why some equipment packages cost like the already mentioned Lada Largus.
The acceleration of the diesel version of the 350d is impressive: fluff and hurricane, such sensations are caused by a strong pressure on the gas pedal Now, gentlemen, let's go! Under the hood is a very fiery diesel engine: 257 hp. versions of the 350d Coupe will show Kuz'kin's mother to anyone you want. And in this version of the GLC Coupe, it really looks like a solid coupe: you can “heap” faster than almost all the neighbors downstream. If Rudolf Diesel were alive, he would have thought that the devil had moved into his brainchild: under a predatory rumbling, the diesel asserts that the song of internal combustion engines has not yet been sung. If Karl Benz were alive, he would think that the true values of Mercedes-Benz have not suffered: the GLC Coupe is most like a coupe in sportplus mode. All other modes of operation of the car are for those who have known life and are in no hurry.
After all, as soon as you stop rushing, here it is, the classic Mercedes-Benz in all its glory. Noise isolation is such that you can hear how a freshly ironed shirt crunches - okay, I never had a shirt, but the noise isolation is really very good. The smoothness of the optional air suspension is also not bad: however, until a hole with sharp edges appears. Then the car shudders with the whole body and hints that the suspension here is more from a coupe than from a crossover. All this is familiar from a car with the same chassis, a Mercedes-Benz C-class.
Newton also proved that the apple does not fall far from the tree - so the GLC Coupe is strikingly similar to other new Mercedes-Benz models. It's just as receptive to road quality as the C-Class, it's as quiet as the C-Class, and... it's still a little different: it really is "alive" than the regular GLC. The steering wheel is “sharper”, the reactions are faster, everywhere a little bit - that’s how it turned out to be a sharp sports coupe?
Not quite like that: it turned out to be a Mercedes-Benz. The car is still comfortable, still relaxing, still thoughtful - this is the ideology of the brand. Therefore, it is still better for the fast and fussy to order the AMG version, or pay attention to competitors. Compared to the Porsche Macan and Jaguar F-Pace, they will be "sharper". But they will not have such a level of comfort, so the closest ideological rival is the BMW X4. But it has already been in production for two years, it has no novelty factor. Therefore, in the case of the GLE Coupe, the verdict is this: sometimes it's better to be late than to make a false start. After all, the biggest ones are the last to arrive at any party.
We remember
Mercedes-Benz can be very different: the possibilities for customizing the interior are almost endless 
The rear seats will be comfortable for two: the supply of space is optimal 
If the trunk seems a little, you can fold the rear seatbacks. Just don’t say “Hurrah, flat floor, you can sleep.” Only children sleep in such cars - on the go 
The big screen on the dashboard is long overdue for a quick release so you can pass it to the kids in the back seat, or take it with you for a walk. Or just hide from vandals 
If there is a six-cylinder diesel engine under the hood, the acceleration is excellent. But for “clean” handling, you need to order a four-cylinder gasoline engine. It is lighter, with it "taxiing" is better 
Rosette, nets, luggage loops - it is noticeable that the creators tried their best to smooth out the loss of trunk volume ➖ Twitchy automatic transmission
➖ Quality of finishing materials
➖ Unreliability
➖ There is no spare tire / dokatka
pros
➕ Dynamics
➕ Comfortable interior
➕ Manageability
➕ Visibility
The advantages and disadvantages of the 2017-2018 Mercedes GLC in a new body are identified based on feedback from real owners. More detailed pros and cons of the Mercedes GLC with automatic and 4Matic all-wheel drive can be found in the stories below:
Owner reviews
Impressions are rather positive, if you do not look at the price-quality ratio. This is exactly what MB has a problem with ...
The first thing that caught my eye, but rather in my hands, is a squeezed wooden lining on the door trim, that's right shaking on a new car. Those. here it is somehow not rigidly attached. When twisting the steering wheel in reverse gear, an unpleasant rattle was heard from somewhere below.
Driving performance norms, 211 hp he has enough, not a race, of course, but he rides. The bumps in the road, of course, are felt, after all, it’s not the air suspension, although there are quite a few settings for this very suspension, steering, and engine. The brakes are excellent.
Review of Mercedes GLC 2.1d with automatic and all-wheel drive 2016
Video review
Eco leather seats. The quality is good, better than the Japanese leather. The GLC rides well, but the box is twitchy, that is, from the start, if the pedal is not pressed to the floor, we get a kick in the ass. The same goes for higher RPMs. Suspension travel is often not enough. There are a little more small holes on the pits - it breaks through, although it may be because the wheels are 19 ″.
1. At 3,000 km, the shock absorber began to creak. It turned out to be an anther for metal: 2 days in service + 2 weeks of waiting for lubrication. Greased, like the order.
2. At 3,500 km, plastic began to creak in the trunk wall on the right. 2 days in service. Done under warranty.
3. At 6,000 km, plastic began to rattle in the racks, as if bolts were poured there. 4 days in service. They did it under warranty so far.
4. At 8,000 km, there is a rattle of plastic in the racks or in the deflector area on the right. They did it under warranty - it still knocks from time to time.
5. Water gets into the gas tank hatch. That is, there is no protection against water ingress at all. Feel? everything will freeze in winter… The dealer refuses to do it. Let's see how it ends.
6. When the turn signal is on and the steering wheel is turned, a cut-off click is heard (so that when the steering wheel is turned back, it returns to its original position). The click is strong enough, little things, not nice. Dealer refuses to do it. He says that on all machines of the C class such garbage.
That is, you are driving a Mercedes, listening to jazz, you want to turn right and then once, as if something fell off - German quality ...
Review of Mercedes GLC 2.0 (245 hp) automatic transmission 2015
The trunk is a disappointment. Here, if they didn’t save money, then they were obviously too lazy to invent something new. The curtain is the simplest, it closes only horizontally and is fixed by aiming into the grooves. No automatic folding, no complex trajectories, and even more so no servos - shame! The floor of the trunk - it's the cover that covers the underground - just lies, and apart from gravity, nothing holds it.
The interior is very beautiful! If you just look at it and do not touch anything! On glossy surfaces, of which there are in abundance, traces constantly remain. Pictograms on light buttons are absolutely invisible and unreadable. The tops of the doors and dashboard are made of what looks like very cheap vinyl, which really stands out against the fairly high quality trim inserts.
Those air deflectors are great! They adjust very premium, look nice, and are reminiscent of old Mercedes. Pleased with the ashtray. In size - almost the second glove box. A wallet, gloves, and a couple of phones can easily fit here.
Basic egg-shaped chairs are not painted even by contrasting stitching. You don’t want to take such a seat home, but cover it as soon as possible. However, in terms of convenience, it is quite German, and does not bother in any way.
The side mirrors are awesome! On the GLK, only one adjacent row was visible in them, so when changing lanes, one had to rely on the blind spot assistant, or on impudence. You can see everything in the GLC mirrors!
The GLC moves off briskly, almost without delay, with ease unusual for Mercedes. What mode is the car in now? Ah, there's a tiny S in an orange square. I'll try Comfort. I swing the toggle switch, and in response to each click I get a kick from the box! I switched from Sport to Sport + - you have a lower gear and a kick! From Sport to Comfort - up the gear and kick! Eco - another gear up and another kick! And it's a new car! When I complained about this to Mercedes, they said that only yesterday they uploaded new software for the box, which came from Stuttgart a week ago. A new car ... Accurately to restyling "finished".
The car is quiet, but here, too, everything is not clear. While standing, you can hear everything that happens on the street (it was quieter in the GLK). But the higher the speed, the less noise! After 60 km / h, the GLC is already quieter than its predecessor, after 100 km / h - it is generally quieter than everyone else! The wind is not heard. Wheels, too.
Review of the new Mercedes-Benz GLC 2.1d diesel (170 hp) AT 4Matic 2015
Mileage 500 km - the driver's door column does not work, the gas pedal creaks, mileage 900 km - the check engine caught fire. I applied to the service under warranty, connected the speaker, replaced the faulty sensor, they didn’t even understand what to do about the pedal. It was very frustrating that this happened on a completely new car, but I thought that I was out of luck and there was nothing more to break. I was wrong…
After 2 months of operation, I began to notice creaks in the shock absorber struts (they creaked like on a cart). Service call again. Diagnosis: springs are larger than necessary. Replaced under warranty, and I went, but not far.
Mileage 7,500 km, again a problem - the headlights do not work, or rather, how they do not work, they burn when the engine is turned off and do not turn off, the headlight correctors do not work. Service again, replacement of the headlight control unit. Then TO 10,000 km worth 30,832 rubles.
We go further. June 2017, what is it? Liquid does not splash on the windshield and rear window, the shock absorbers creak again, and the gas pedal creaks. I, as for work, go to the service. They replaced the windshield washer motor, lubricated the springs - it turns out that this is routine maintenance ?!
I just left the service, I understand that the pedal both creaked and creaked. I had to return to the service, and in the parking lot in front of the dealership, the master lubricated the pedal with silicone for 5 minutes. I could have done this myself, much more accurately.
And it's a Mercedes! How much time wasted, it's not hours, it's weeks... 2-year warranty ends. I'm dreading the next crash...
Olga drives a Mercedes-Benz GLC 2.1d (170 hp) with a 2016 automatic
Mileage 5 thousand km no problems, I hope there will be no. The first time I sat on a German, before that I always went to Toyotas. I like everything in the car, but in my opinion, the finish of the trunk (plastic, rear door) could be better, for 3 lyama they could glue the plastic with noise, or is it our dealers who save money when ordering a car ?!
As for the suspension, in my opinion it is, on the contrary, soft, if you drive in economy mode, and in sport + it becomes tougher, but not much!
Review of Mercedes-Benz GLTs 2.0 (211 forces) automatic 2016
Appearance: a little disappointing, as it has become similar to many crossovers from other manufacturers, having lost its specific and recognizable Mercedes look of the G family.
Salon: light beige, artificial leather. On this occasion, at first I was worried that it would get dirty, but everything is not so scary and very beautiful. Compared to the GLK, the interior has become larger, like the car itself. Considering that I mostly don’t transport more than 1-2 passengers, there is more than enough space. True, it seems to me that the back seat is still cramped for the knees.
The trunk, oddly enough, is not much larger than in the GLK, but it is enough for my needs. The tailgate can be opened and closed in three ways: directly from the door itself, from the button from the passenger compartment and from the ignition key button.
I will give my opinion about the numerous options. Of all their diversity, I would leave the automatic transmission, cruise control, climate control and, well, the radio. All other automatic and semi-automatic bells and whistles - car price increase and a tribute to time - the car becomes a gadget with often unnecessary, but prestigious functions.
Although, we must pay tribute, everything works clearly and adequately. There is, however, a headache - parking sensors. These guys live their complex and sometimes illogical life, and it is not in vain that they can be turned off.
Outdoor lighting, headlights, running lights, dimensions - beyond praise, better than the GLK. Spares, dokatki, and therefore no jack. In a city where tire fitting is on every corner, it’s all right, but on highways, and even in sparsely populated areas, I start to feel uncomfortable.
