Everyone has long forgotten what the term coupe actually meant. And this is not only a two-door shortened sedan, but also a coupe de champagne - a bowl for sweet champagne, the shape of which was allegedly copied in the 17th century from a cast of the chest of the mistress of the French king Louis XIV. However, now we drink sparkling wine from completely different glasses, tall and narrow. And if the BMW X4 looks more like them, then Mercedes GLC Coupe- kremanka clean water! Rather, pure champagne.
M ercedes GLC Coupe secondary? Conceptually - of course, because the X4 appeared first. But aesthetically... Elegant flowing lines of the body, elegantly shaped rear lights, finely summed up with plastic wheel arches. The interior is a work of art. Take at least the upholstery of the front doors: if everything is traditional in BMW, then in Mercedes, some seat adjustment keys are worth something. And how elegant the grilles on the Burmester speakers!
The hand does not rise to slam such a door - everyone who was behind the wheel softly covered it, counting on electric closers. It was not there: neither the BMW X4 nor the Mercedes GLC Coupe have them - the class is not the same.
But in the X4, even the basic seats are more dense and sporty, and even sitting in ours with the M Performance package, I want to immediately buy an annual subscription to the Nurburgring north loop. The steering wheel, covered with Alcantara, fits perfectly in the palm of a man. And if in Mercedes decorative carbon panels are “manicured” with a thick layer of varnish, then in BMW it is a rough “natural product”, an undisguised plexus of carbon fiber fibers.
. Lightweight seats do not give “sofa” comfort, but they distribute the load well: you don’t get tired on them on long trips"\u003e
Well, a very nice interior. And at the same time comfortable!
. Lightweight seats do not provide “sofa” comfort, but they distribute the load well: you don’t get tired on them on long trips
It is clear that when creating the GLC Coupe in Stuttgart, more than one BMW X4 was taken apart by cogs. This is clearly seen in the example of the rear seats: in BMW there are no ceiling handles, in Mercedes they will be. The X4 has a low cushion - and you have to sit with your knees high? Then in the GLC Coupe we will make it higher, and the landing will be more comfortable. And Mercedes can be retrofitted with window blinds and three-zone climate control, which are not available to BMW owners.
In the upper part of the center console there is a rigidly fixed “tablet” with a regular screen, at the bottom is the main Comand Online multimedia control washer, and on the left is the chassis preset key and the clearance change button
But the X4 is more practical: if we were able to load 12 standard mailboxes into its trunk, then only nine fit in the Mercedes. This is despite the fact that the passport capacity of the trunk is close: 491 and 500 liters "under the shelf". But do not rush to accuse the Mercedes of juggling the facts: they simply indicate the passport volume, taking into account the spacious underground. By the way, in both cars you will not find spare parts: in Mercedes, the compressor is with sealant, and BMW is traditionally equipped with run-flat tires allowing driving without "pressure".
In addition to batch settings, you can create your own individual configuration by turning off, for example, the start-stop system
It was not possible to select modifications close in power for the test: we could only get a BMW X4 xDrive35i for the base GLC 250 Coupe. Almost one and a half times more powerful: 306 against 211 horsepower! In normal modes, both of them are great: they allow you to comfortably crawl in traffic jams and be at the forefront of the attack during overtaking on the track. But even in the limit, Mercedes’ lag is minimal: the difference in acceleration to “hundreds” is 1.8 seconds, and it feels even less. The gears of the nine-speed “automatic” are well chosen: an intensive set of speed after the start is provided by closely spaced stages - from the first to the third, - the GLC 250 Coupe goes to the maximum speed in the fifth, and if you are not in a hurry to maintain cruising speed 110 km / h, then the box “sticks” the ninth gear and holds 1500 rpm. For comparison: the BMW tachometer at the same speed freezes at around 1800 rpm. It is clear that the gas consumption of the "Bavaria" is higher.
The seat adjustment keys, in Mercedes tradition, are located on the doors. There is also a heating button, and next to it there may be a key for ventilation of the driver's seat
By the way, when measuring the dynamics, we performed all the test starts “from two pedals”: there is no special launch control mode in the cars, however, both cars spin the engines up to 2800 rpm and take off very quickly. But BMW's first impulse is still sharper. And you can stand on it for a long time at a low start - while Mercedes keeps 2800 rpm for literally a second or a half, and if the driver does not release the brake pedal, then the engine speed drops to 2000 per minute.
It is amazing how accurately certain moments of their childhood are recorded in the memory of people. I clearly remember the first time I saw more than 200 km/h on the speedometer of a car. It was an Audi 100 that looked like a spaceship to me. And I also remember how I was fascinated by the "angel eyes" of the BMW E39. And I'm unlikely to forget that feeling when I first closed the passenger mercedes door W124. It was my father's friend's car, and that thoroughbred and deaf cotton is still easily reproduced in my memory. They don't make cars like this anymore. For example, I did not close the driver's door of the Mercedes GLC Coupe the first time during a test that took place the other day in Italy. Slamming, I remembered that sound of the W124 door. But, alas, time is rapidly flying forward, and the clock cannot be turned back. The calendar shows the second half of 2016. The very height of the era of soulless "devices on wheels". Well, let's get acquainted, a miracle of technology from Daimler! Can you readjust yourself?
When the Bavarians rolled out the first generation BMW X6 to the market in 2007, Mercedes underestimated the potential of this model and did not even think about “beveling” the rear of the roof to their W164. The commercial success of the "X-sixth" became obvious only when work on the third generation ML was already being completed in Stuttgart, and therefore the W166 was left without a "coupe-like" body. It was not permissible to release a crude version of the X6 competitor, so Daimler decided to wait for the restyling of the ML. And last year at the same time gle world saw the GLE Coupe. But in the market by this time the second generation X6 was already being sold with might and main. It is not known how many customers the Mercedes missed by delaying the release of the compartment crossover so much.
In turn, the BMW X4 did not stay alone for long - just two years after the debut of this model, Mercedes launches the GLC Coupe on the market. The Germans take the miraculous word "Coupe" very seriously: even the body index is like that of a "two-door" - C253. Daimler believes that “coupe” means not so much the number of car doors as the mood that the car gives. By the way, about the mood. I arrived in Milan on the same day that the airport staff went on strike, so I had to spend an extra hour on the plane. In order to get to Turin (where the test drive started), I rented a car. I was promised new Smart ForFour, which has the engine in the back, but at the last moment everything changed, and I got the keys to the cheapest version of the Fiat Panda with a dead clutch. In general, in order to cheer myself up, I urgently take the keys to the GLC300 4Matic Coupe and hurry to press the Start Engine button.
Technically, the novelty is not much different from the usual GLC, with which we were a year ago in France. And this means that under the beautifully polished body lies the MRA platform, which also underlies the new and. If you delve into the details, then the Coupe prefix added to the car not only beveled rear racks. There are stiffer suspension springs and a shorter steering rack. For lovers of "fine tuning" there is an optional Dynamic Body Control suspension, which is not yet available for the "non-cup" GLC. The already familiar "pneuma" Air Body Control with multi-chamber springs, of course, is also on the Coupe's list of additional equipment. On test machines there was no conventional spring suspension at all. The one I'm in has the coolest DBC, with adaptive dampers.
The Mercedes GLC Coupe is 76mm longer than the regular GLC and 37mm lower. The rear passengers suffered the most. Due to the sloping roof, people under ninety meters tall may experience a shortage of space above their heads. But this is not as critical as, for example, in CLA. In the background, by the way, is the Juventus stadium.
How to quickly tell a GLC Coupe from a GLE Coupe from behind? On chrome elements. The GLC only has chrome above the taillights. At GLE - on all width of the fifth door. From an exterior point of view, the GLC Coupe looks more advantageous, since the designers initially knew that there would be a "sloped" version of the GLC. In the case of the GLE Coupe, the artists had to “cut down” the roof of the actual ML, whose silhouette was developed back in 2009 and was not intended for such a body.
It makes no sense to discuss the salon for the hundredth time. The same for the GLC and C-Class. Many journalists call this interior a benchmark in this segment. Let's not argue with them. Indeed, the materials and the feeling of luxury leave behind competitors from BMW and Audi. True, the alien "tablet" of the multimedia system could be made hiding
Under the hood of the 300th version is a 2-liter turbo four with a capacity of 245 hp. With. The thrust of the engine reaches 370 Nm. For a 2.5-ton crossover, quite good performance. The gearbox is Mercedes' 9G-Tronic automatic, which we've already seen on the GLE and E-Class. For some markets, "mechanics" and rear-wheel drive will be available, but this does not threaten us. 4Matic is a permanent all-wheel drive with asymmetrical center differential, which gives the rear axle 55% of the moment and 45% of the front.
The first thing you pay attention to when sitting in a modern Mercedes is soundproofing. It seems that if you fell asleep in the car, and the script for the film “Independence Day” began to materialize on the planet, then you would overslept everything interesting. But if you accidentally woke up in the epicenter of events, then escaping from alien creatures would not be difficult. Up to hundreds of 245-horsepower crossover accelerates in 6.5 seconds. In practice, this is about the same. But this is if you simply accelerate from scratch “to the floor”.
If you drive in “comfort” mode, then in the range of 80-150 km / h the car has a too thoughtful gas pedal. It seems that the car doubts whether the driver will change his mind to accelerate so quickly. Sometimes between the kickdown and the start of acceleration there is an intermission of one and a half seconds. And after the car dropped three or four gears, there is no expected “kick” - the GLE300 starts to growl menacingly at first, and then smoothly pick up speed. In the Sport and Sport + modes, the throttle response becomes faster, but the accelerator remains a little “thoughtful”. The Mercedes themselves say that “this is an ordinary family crossover for those who don’t mind sometimes driving along the autobahn, and if you live near the Nurburgring and you really need sports SUV- expect the 4 liter GLC63 Coupe with V8 from AMG sports car GT. By the way, there will also be an intermediate GLC43 AMG model with a 3-liter “six” with a capacity of 367 hp. With.
The GLC Coupe dives into corners more willingly than just the GLC. The steering wheel has also become sharper, but the tuning of the steering wheel amplifier electric motor is still too artificial. The responses to the slightest turn of the steering wheel are lightning fast, but you are unlikely to get pleasure from quick maneuvers. Hands constantly feel some intermediary between you and the wheels, as if you are playing computer game. In sport modes, the steering just gets tighter. In this case, the suspension is clamped to the level of another “charged” hatchback. Somehow, when slipping at 40 km / h, the “speed bump” in Sport + shook so that I remembered the rental Fiat Panda as a standard of smoothness. But in corners, you can safely add speed - the car superbly “stands” on an arc, as if you are not driving on asphalt, but are going through another turn of the Roller Coaster.
I tried not to look at fuel consumption, because the test drive took place in modes far from real life. Well, if you keep within 13 liters per 100 km. On the second day of the test drive, I went to the airport in a diesel "monster" GLC350d. This version will not be shipped to Russia and probably will not reach us. A modification deserves attention. The power of the diesel V6 here is 260 hp. s., and the torque is as much as 620 Nm. You can pull subway cars! I liked the 350d even more than petrol variant. It has better acceleration and better fuel consumption full order- 7 liters per hundred with a very active ride on mountain serpentines. If you are not embarrassed by the “rattling” of a diesel engine from the outside, then this modification is ideal for everyday use. True, it will cost about the same as well-equipped versions of the GLE Coupe.
I think I will not be mistaken if I say that the GLC Coupe has the best handling among all Mercedes crossovers. It really feels "Coupe". The car raises the level of endorphins and is great for daily rides around the city, as well as for traveling across Europe. The GLC Coupe is definitely more comfortable than its competitors. But for those who are looking for perfect handling and a polished driving character, the BMW X4 or Porsche Macan is more suitable. It is with these machines that the newcomer from Daimler will fight. In addition, just entered the market Jaguar F-Pace. They say that he is still a "driver"! In general, the battle in the segment of mid-size premium crossovers with a sporty character will be interesting. And given the excellent start of the BMW X4 and global sales of the new GLE Coupe, the success of the Mercedes GLC Coupe in the market is irreversible.
At the airport, he took things from the car and gave the keys Mercedes employee. He looked to see if I forgot something in the cabin, and, closing the car, “slammed” the driver's door twice. Also closed not the first time! I wonder if the Mercedes themselves miss the glorious times of the “correct” Mercedes W124? I'm sure yes!
| BODY | |
| Type | station wagon |
| Number of doors | 5 |
| Number of seats | 5 |
| Length | 4732 mm |
| Width | 1890 mm |
| Height | 1602 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2873 mm |
| Trunk volume | 491 / 1205 l |
| POWER POINT | |
| Type | Petrol |
| Volume | 1991 cu. cm |
| Total power | 245 l. With. |
| At rpm | 5500 |
| Torque | 370 Nm at 1300-4000 rpm |
| Cylinder arrangement | inline |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| TRANSMISSION | |
| Drive unit | Full |
| Number of gears (mechanical box) | – |
| Number of gears (automatic) | 9 |
| SUSPENSION | |
| front | Independent, spring (or pneumatic), two-lever |
| Behind | Independent, spring (or pneumatic), multi-link |
| STEERING | |
| Power steering | Electric booster |
| PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE | |
| Max speed | 236 km/h |
| Acceleration time (0-100 km/h) | 6.5 s |
| Combined fuel consumption |
7.3 l / 100 km |
We express our gratitude to the Belarusian importer of Mercedes for help in preparing the trip
Test Mercedes GLC - Audi Q5 passed on an obstacle course in the form of off-road and fast asphalt. And everything would be fine, but the Q5 had to be punished. The Mercedes GLC sells well with a 2.1-liter turbodiesel. Will the Audi Q5 be able to beat him with a 2-liter petrol turbo engine? (It's a pity, but diesel versions of Q5 are not imported to Russia).
Please vote by viewing the Audi Q5 - Mercedes GLC test, move the MPS Index cursor on the scale that we offer at the beginning and at the end of the article.
Equipment matters
We are testing the premiere of summer 2017 for the Russian market - the new Audi Q5.
Since 2011 model year against the backdrop of refreshed competitors, it is rather outdated and is waiting for a new generation, for comparison with the Ingolstadt crossover, we took Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Choosing a complete set test car, was surprised to find in the Audi configurator a non-alternative Gas engine 2.0 TFSI with 249 hp convenient for Russia (in other markets - 252 hp). Yes, a charged 354-horsepower Audi SQ5 is available as a separate model, but such versions are the subject of a separate test. None of the four possible diesels in Russia they do not offer. The good news is that the Audi dealership does not link the absence of diesel versions on the Russian market with dieselgate and does not rule out the launch of diesel modifications in Russia a little later.
Against this backdrop, diversity Mercedes-Benz modifications GLC impresses with variability. Choice of body type (coupe or SUV), engine type (two options for diesel and gasoline units) plus apart standing versions Mercedes-AMG, including the 510-horsepower Mercedes-AMG GLC63s, allows you to "assemble" a performance whose cost is three times the base price.
One of the best-selling GLC-class in Russia, the 170-horsepower turbodiesel GLC220d, we have on the test in a near-basic configuration and costs almost a million less than the Q5.
If for a similar GLC (in the background) you have to pay a little more than three million rubles, then for the same Q5 more than four, however, when all possible options are added to the Mercedes GLC, both the price and the equipment of the cars equalize. In the “maximum speed” the GLC will lose, perhaps, only by the absence of the instrument panel “Virtual Cocpit” and cup holders with thermoregulation.
The Audi Q5 has larger wheels, air suspension and a richer interior. Mercedes-Benz can be retrofitted with all this, which we will take into account when evaluating. We will test the Audi Q5 - Mercedes GLC according to several criteria: we will check both the off-road capabilities of all-wheel drive crossovers and the behavior in dynamic tests that simulate urban and extreme driving.
According to tradition, in the “big German troika”, the new generation raises the bar in its class, can the Audi Q5 continue this trend?
Test test Mercedes GLC - Audi Q5: interior and exterior
The first acquaintance with cars took place on dirt road. The hard but abrasive coating was not washed away even by late autumn rains. A solid, assembled German chassis is what unites Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The Stuttgart car is a little softer, due to the more affordable configuration, it has worse sound insulation, and the characteristic timbre of a diesel engine at low speeds penetrates into the cabin.
Adjusted for the difference in configurations, both crossovers equally evoke sympathy in terms of interior equipment and elaboration technical solutions(see video for details).
Mercedes-Benz GLC
The Audi-Q5 (pictured) and the Mercedes GLC in the rear seats are very close.
Due to the S-line option, the seats in Audi are more comfortable, better fix the driver and passenger, it is impossible to remain indifferent to the fully electronic instrument panel. Mercedes-Benz is more conservative in the cabin and can offer a more relaxed exterior.
Slightly angular, lean Audi molds Q5 or smooth look mercedes benz GLC? Both cars are worthy of each other, there is no clear favorite.
For the exterior and interior we give one point each.
Score 1:1
Soft car tire 200 mm high.
Purely mathematical 181 mm ground clearance Mercedes-Benz The GLC is inferior to 190 mm (pneumatics in the “comfort” position) of the Audi Q5. A comparable car with spring suspension and does have a ground clearance of 200 mm. There were no surprises - the flat bottom of both competitors did not make adjustments to the obviously losing numbers for the GLC: Russian roads 2 centimeters will definitely not be superfluous.
Score 1:2
Mercedes GLC test - Audi Q5: Diagonal hanging
More expensive Audi The Q5 with air suspension leaves the driver with a choice of ground clearance: in the lowest position, the ground clearance is a centimeter lower than that of the Mercedes-Benz, and when the suspension is raised to the maximum state (+60 mm), the Audi Q5 is able to overcome a small obstacle. True, the rise of the crossover is carried out by reducing the suspension travel, so in the highest possible position, even at low speed, you feel every bump.
Although both cars do not claim the laurels of SUVs in the full sense of the word, both Mercedes-Benz and Audi are positioned as all-wheel drive crossovers, which means they will not give up in front of small ravines.
If Mercedes-Benz remains true to the 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive system, then the Audi Q5 introduced a fundamentally different all-wheel drive concept for the MLB platform family of cars - that is, for, Q5, A6 and modifications. It was decided to abandon the permanent all-wheel drive for the sake of fuel efficiency and the ability to transfer up to 100% of the torque to one axle. The key element of the new configuration is the Magna electrically controlled clutch responsible for transmitting torque to the wheels. According to press releases, the designers sought to create a mechanism in which the driver would not feel the difference between the old and new system.
Mercedes-Benz-GLC in diagonal hanging all doors open and close easily.
Audi-Q5: the body is moderately hard.
Both the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC coped with the task without any problems, driving out of the makeshift trap on their own. Electronic all-wheel drive systems dealt with the situation perfectly. There were no difficulties with the rigidity of the body - the doors opened and closed normally.
Score 2:3
Dynamic tests on asphalt
For active driving on asphalt, the Dinamic mode in the menu is suitable drive select at Audi. Similar to Mercedes, only the mode is called Sport+. Straight-line acceleration wins Audi, with its 249 horses the crossover accelerates to 100 km / h in 6.3 seconds, and it really feels like it. But the jerk from the start in first gear up to about 40 km / h consistently wins diesel and more high-torque GLC 220. As a result, on a short straight more powerful Audi Q5 "brought" almost one and a half cases of Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Audi-Q5: moderate rolls.
The Mercedes-Benz-GLC handles easily and unexpectedly, with a little more roll, wins the snake from the Q5.
The stabilization system strictly monitors the potential dangerous movements even on dry pavement, stopping dashing maneuvers in the bud.
On a slow snake, a few hundredths of a second allowed the Mercedes GLC, which is almost 80 horsepower inferior to its rival, to snatch a point. Excellent result!
Score 3:4
The next test is driving in a circle. Faster corners and straighter laps once again put the Audi Q5 ahead, far ahead of the sedans we tested on the same track in similar conditions. In this discipline more powerful Audi motor get a chance to open up. 36.79 sec. - Ingolstadt time. Mercedes-Benz showed 37.88, which was expectedly second behind. It is also important that both cars were driven very calmly, there was no squealing of tires, the electronic “collar” did not strain.
Score 3:5 in favor of Q5.
Summing up, we thought. It would be unfair not to take into account the much more democratic price Mercedes-Benz GLC in a similar configuration - the difference with the Q5 in a million rubles - this is serious. It would be necessary to encourage the excellently proven diesel engine, superior to the unit from Audi in fuel efficiency and reliability. Here you can already add two points.
The crossovers are very similar in handling. All the difference in measurements expressed in seconds is obtained due to more powerful engine and a robotic gearbox for Q5.
Off-road cars are also close in their capabilities. Our Q5 has the advantage of having air suspension, but the GLC can be equipped with it. And if the 7-speed “robot” Audi is very good in dynamic tests on the site, then outside the asphalt, the GLC automatic is preferable, which transfers torque quite smoothly from a high-torque diesel.
About the design, we note only one thing - all preferences are individual, to your taste!
In a word, we did not feel the superiority of the newer Audi Q5 over the previously released Mercedes GLC! And declared a fighting draw.
Sorry, Audi Q5, limited gasoline engines and inflating the price, never gets his sugar cube from us.
From the author of the blog site Peter Menshikh: I thank Igor Sirin, Vitaly Larionov (leaders on the video), Roman Kharitonov, Sergey Ilyin (editors), Evgeny Mikhalkevich (cameraman) for their help in preparing the material, Avilon for the provided car.
Video test Mercedes GLC - Audi Q5 below.
Specifications at the end of the article.
AUDI Q5 / MERCEDES CLC 220d
Specifications| COMMON DATA | Audi Q5 TFSI 2.0 | Mercedes CLC 220d |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions, mm: length / width / height / base | 4663 / 1893 / 1659 / 2819 | 4656 / 2096 / n.d. / 2873 |
| track front / rear | 1616 / 1609 | 1621 / 1617 |
| Trunk volume, l | 550 / 1550 | 550 / n.d. |
| Turning radius, m | 5,85 | 5,9 |
| Curb / full mass, kg | 1795 / 2400 | 1845 / 2500 |
| Acceleration time 0 - 100 km/h, s | 6,3 | 8,3 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 237 | 210 |
| Fuel / fuel reserve, l | A95/70 | DT / 50 |
| Fuel consumption: urban / extra-urban / combined cycle, l / 100 km | 8,6 / 6,3 / 7,1 | 6,3 / 5,1 / 5,5 |
| CO2 emissions, g/km | 162 | 143 |
| ENGINE | ||
| Location | Front transverse | Front transverse |
| Configuration / number of valves | R4 / 16 | R4 / 16 |
| Working volume, cu. cm | 1984 | 2143 |
| Compression ratio | n.a. | 16,2 |
| Power, kW / hp | 183 / 249 at 5000 - 6000 rpm. | 125 / 170 at 3000 - 4200 rpm. |
| Torque, Nm | 370 at 1600 - 4500 rpm. | 400 at 1400 - 2800 rpm. |
| TRANSMISSION | ||
| Type | all-wheel drive | all-wheel drive |
| Transmission | R7 | A9 |
| main gear | n.a. | 3,066 |
| CHASSIS | ||
| Suspension: front / rear | n.a. | multi-link / multi-link |
| Steering | rack and pinion with electric booster | rack and pinion with electric booster |
| Brakes: front / rear | ventilated disc / ventilated disc | |
| Tire size | 235/55R17 | 235/65R17 |
If model GLK In terms of dimensions, it fell short of the BMW X3, then the GLC in terms of basic dimensions caught up with it almost one to one. As for the design of the novelty from Mercedes-Benz, after the brutal, “square” forms of its predecessor, its successor is perceived as “white and fluffy”. Or, if you look at our test copy, then gray and "fluffy". But it is immediately clear that its aerodynamics are excellent, and you cannot refuse the elegance of the new body.
Bye crossover GLC offered on the Russian market with three petrol engines with a capacity of 211, 245 and 367 hp. and with two turbodiesels developing 170 and 204 hp. There is also a hybrid modification, where a 115-horsepower electric motor helps the 211-horsepower gasoline unit. Price range for basic configurations- from 2,750,000 to 4,100,000 rubles.
BMW X3 is already an old man: a new generation car is expected next year. Despite this, it looks no less modern than the GLC. In our market, versions with gasoline units with a capacity of 184, 245 and 306 hp are sold, as well as diesel options - 190 and 249 hp. Until recently, the most powerful turbodiesel modification of 313 hp was offered, but the crisis made its own adjustments - it was abandoned. Prices for the model start at 2,620,000 rubles and finish at around 3,500,000 rubles (if we mean the basic configuration of the crossover).
There were no modifications with identical engines in the press parks of representative offices, so the gasoline version of the Mercedes-Benz GLC with a capacity of 211 hp. will compete with the diesel 249-horsepower BMW X3. But this does not prevent us from comparing their main characteristics. Moreover, we were able to ride on a more powerful, 245-horsepower petrol version GLC to compare it with a competitor.
We sit well
Mercedes-Benz interior GLC almost completely repeats the interior of the passenger car model C Class, with which he, in fact, shares the platform. And, surprisingly, the sporty passenger design fits the crossover. The driver sits, “belted” by the high location of the central tunnel, window sill and front panel. Because of this, a relatively high landing seems low and tight. But in fact, it is very spacious here, and the range of seat and steering wheel adjustments, as always with Mercedes-Benz, is huge. The quality of finishing materials is excellent.
After Stuttgart bmw interior feels a bit dated. Here, not much attention is paid to small details: buttons and levers look cheap against the backdrop of Mercedes fittings that successfully imitate metal surfaces. The Bavarian has no less soft plastic, but the look is spoiled by a rough coarse-grained texture, which visually reduces the cost of the impression of the cabin. That is, to the eye, the interior of a BMW seems to be of less quality than that of a competitor, although in reality the rivals are approximately equal. The driver's landing geometry is almost the same as in the GLC, however, due to the lower front panel and window sill line, it seems that you are sitting much higher. The range of adjustment of the seat and steering wheel is not as wide as the Mercedes-Benz, but a person of average height will fit in without problems.
But we liked the seats more in the Bavarian car: they have a better profile, lateral support is adjustable, and the headrest does not support the back of the head so much. In Mercedes-Benz, you want to remove the annoying head support, but this is impossible to do. And the ergonomics of the representative of Stuttgart is inferior to the car from Bavaria. BMW's iDrive interface is much more convenient to manage than Mercedes' COMAND system. But the graphics of the screens are great for both.
On the second row, the leadership for Mercedes-Benz. If you adjust the front seat for a 180 cm rider, then a person of the same height sitting in the back will have about 15 cm in front of his knees. In a BMW, under the same conditions, it will turn out 3-4 cm less, and there will be almost no space for the feet under the pillow front seat, if it is lowered to the lowest position, while in the GLC this is not a problem. There is enough space above the head in both cars, and in the "Bavarian" it is about 3 cm more due to the lower position of the sofa, which is why tall passengers sit in the BMW ... with their knees up. Otherwise, for the convenience of the rear sofas, we put an equal sign. Of the additional "gadgets" for rear passengers we note a separate (albeit single-zone) “climate” in Mercedes-Benz (BMW has only “warmer-cold” adjustment) and comfortable central armrests with cup holders for both cars.
By volume and ease of loading luggage compartments rivals are identical. The GLC has a slightly higher floor, but under it there is a spacious compartment for small items. When folding the rear sofas, both cars can boast of flat areas, without steps and ledges. Both have outlets. But no one has spare wheels, since crossovers are equipped with runflat tires that allow you to continue driving with a puncture.
According to the ideology
So, our X3 is equipped with a 3-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 249 hp. Apart from slight vibrations on idling, then this is an ideal power unit. During the test average consumption fuel at BMW did not exceed 9 liters, while 211-horsepower petrol Mercedes-Benz consumed an average of 10.5 liters, significantly inferior to the "Bavarian" in terms of dynamics. The more powerful, 245-horsepower version of this engine, which we managed to borrow for a short time, accelerates more vigorously than the 211-horsepower one, but it still falls short of a BAM turbodiesel, and consumes even more fuel.
And according to the reactions to the fuel supply, the turbodiesel turned out to be preferable. BMW's accelerator pedal settings are such that you don't remember the turbo lag even in normal mode, and even with sports settings, communication with power unit becomes almost perfect. The Mercedes gasoline engine does not respond so briskly to "gas", it feels like a turbo hitch even when turned on sport mode, and for both of the modifications we tested. But we will not write it down as a minus, since four Mercedes-Benz cylinders versus six for BMW is an unfair comparison, and it is unrealistic to compete with a diesel engine in terms of torque. So let's wait until the GLC has its own 3-liter turbodiesel. And it will definitely appear, you just need to be patient.
Concerning automatic boxes gears, they work quickly and smoothly for both rivals, although the BMW is still a little faster. No complaints about the brakes either. And the difference in deceleration control among our rivals is “family”. This means that in the Mercedes-Benz, the pedal is set up a little more smoothly, which passengers will certainly appreciate. At the same time, the informativeness and intensity of braking for both are beyond praise.
And their controllability is set up in accordance with the corporate ideology. Mercedes-Benz is unshakable on the motorway and behaves well in gentle turns. No road adversity, including deep rutting, can disrupt its rectilinear movement. And on a winding highway, the car is calm and very reliable. His steering with progressive “cutting” (2.25 turns from lock to lock) it is poured with pleasant heaviness, has a clear zero, reacts quickly and without nervousness. In a word, the driver is absolutely calm.
We've previously tested a variable-pitch BMW X3 (similar to the test GLC), and we liked it, although there was some artificiality in it. This time we got a copy with a conventional steering wheel that makes exactly three turns from lock to lock (the variable pitch steering wheel has 2.25 turns, like the GLC). And we liked this bagel more. Because Feedback it is even better than that of Mercedes-Benz, and the lack of “sharpness” is noticeable only in very sharp turns.
Driving a BMW X3 on a winding road is pure joy! The crossover clearly "writes" turns, and with each turn provokes the driver to hooliganism. The driver merges with the car and feels the driving pleasure promised by the manufacturer. And on a straight line, everything is fine, except that in a rut the Bavarian crossover does not behave as stably as its rival, but thanks to the excellent information content of the steering, course correction does not cause problems.
Excellent handling BMW does not come at the expense of comfort. Interestingly, this time around, not only was the steering on the tester normal, but the suspension was also without the active dampers we had ridden with before. Such a chassis conveys small bumps more strongly, but on large bumps it behaves more collected and is generally more harmoniously tuned, so we would not overpay for electronically controlled shock absorbers. "Bavarian" rides tight and elastic on all types of bumps. And the sound insulation is excellent - neither the wind nor the tires bother you.
Our Mercedes-Benz GLC is equipped with passive shock absorbers and an off-road package that increases ground clearance to 201 mm versus 181 mm for the "urban" version. The crossover is softer than the Bavarian competitor, it drives through small bumps, but misses hard hits on large potholes. That is, the energy intensity of the BMW X3 is better, which is especially noticeable on a broken primer. But in general, in terms of smoothness, parity between rivals, although, of course, a lot depends on which roads to drive on. If the GLC had been equipped with the air suspension we drove in Europe, it would have taken the lead, but now there are no such cars in the Russian press park of Mercedes-Benz. In terms of sound insulation, our competitors are also approximately equal.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC wins this test by a small margin, which in comparison ... did not participate. We are talking about the GLC with air suspension. We categorically do not recommend saving on it to buyers. But the BMW X3, in our opinion, it is quite possible to get by with a conventional chassis - with it the car has a more natural behavior. In general, when choosing between these machines, you should focus on personal preferences. The main thing is not to make a mistake with the choice of the type of suspension, since with different types the chassis of the car and drive very differently. So the battle between our rivals continues, and the upcoming new-generation BMW X3 may tip the scales in its favor. But until this happened, the leaders of the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
We would like to express our gratitude to KR Properties for providing the site of the Danilovskaya Manufactory loft quarter for filming
| Technical BMW specifications X3 30d |
|
|---|---|
| Dimensions, mm | 4657x1881x1661 |
| Wheel base, mm | |
| Turning diameter, m | |
| Ground clearance, mm | |
| Trunk volume, l | |
| Curb weight, kg | |
| engine's type | L6, turbodiesel |
| Working volume, cu. cm | |
➖ Twitchy automatic transmission
➖ Quality of finishing materials
➖ Unreliability
➖ There is no spare tire / dokatka
pros
➕ Dynamics
➕ Comfortable interior
➕ Manageability
➕ Visibility
Advantages and disadvantages of the 2017-2018 Mercedes GLC in a new body identified based on reviews real owners. More detailed pros and cons of Mercedes GLC with automatic and all-wheel drive 4Matic 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, or rather into my hands, was a squeezed wooden slip on the door trim, that's right shaking walks on a new car. Those. here it is somehow not rigidly attached. When turning the steering wheel on reverse gear from somewhere below came an unpleasant rattle.
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. Likewise for more high revs. 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 compartment. 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. 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 column does not work driver's door, gas pedal creaks, mileage 900 km - caught fire check engine. I turned to the service under warranty, connected the column, replaced faulty sensor, about the pedal they did not even understand what to do. 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 dealer center 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 is lost, it's not hours, it's weeks... Ends 2 summer warranty. 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 back seat Still too tight 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, 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.
