The new Mercedes-Benz GLC is here – is it worth buying over the old one?

Mercedes-Benz is taking a big risk with its new GLC medium SUV, offering just a single variant in Australia. So, how does it compare to the outgoing model? We put them side-by-side to find out.

Mercedes-Benz has overhauled its medium SUV, the GLC, for the 2023 model-year and it’s taken a few big risks – simplifying the range, raising prices and ditching some key features.

Now in its second generation in Australia, the GLC is an important car for the German brand: since it launched in 2015, it’s become Merc’s top-selling model both locally and overseas.

It’s also set to compete in a cutthroat segment that includes solid mainstays like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, as well as some competitive newcomers – including the introduction of more hybrid and electric competitors.

So, what’s changed? And is it worth upgrading to the new GLC if you already own the old one?

Drive was given an early sneak peek at the new GLC in the metal – with the old model conveniently sitting right next to it – so we could eye up the major changes.

How much does the new Mercedes-Benz GLC cost in Australia?

From June 2023, the new GLC will now only be offered in a single grade in Australia, the GLC300.

Previously, buyers had the option of a more affordable entry-level GLC200 variant, but that’s been dropped in favour of a single, well-specified variant.

The new GLC300 is priced from $103,370 plus on-road costs, roughly $11,070 more than the same grade in the old range.

Of course, this price hike has resulted in a higher level of standard equipment for the GLC.

Features that were previously optional extras – like a panoramic sunroof, metallic paint, heated seats and a head-up display – are now included in the GLC’s purchase price.

That leaves just one option package available on the new GLC: the $6900 Plus Package, which adds features like augmented reality navigation, a Burmester surround-sound system, and heat and noise-insulating acoustic glass, to name a few.

Note: All prices exclude on-road costs.

	Old Mercedes-Benz GLC300	New Mercedes-Benz GLC300
Price	$92,300 plus on-road costs	$103,370 plus on-road costs

Is the new Mercedes-Benz GLC bigger than the old one?

Yes, the new Mercedes-Benz GLC is bigger than the old one – in certain areas, at least.

At first glance, the new GLC isn’t all that different on the outside to the old model, it’s just a little sleeker.

There are slimmer LED headlights and tail-lights, plus a sleeker profile that means the new model is more aerodynamic, with reduced drag compared to the old model.

Even the side-step has been streamlined in an effort to retain ease-of-access for second-row occupants, without dirtying the pants of front-row occupants.

The new GLC is also 6cm longer than its predecessor, with a wheelbase that is 1.5cm longer, but it’s roughly the same width as the old model, plus there’s a wider front and rear track for improved handling.

Headroom in the front seat has been reduced (although not to a noticeable degree), but overall leg room, elbow room, knee room and shoulder room have been increased.

Jumping between the two cars, you could be forgiven for thinking the size is unchanged as these incremental increases don’t make a massive difference.

However, one of the most impactful changes is the fact the now-standard sunroof extends further into the back seat of the new GLC, meaning the interior feels brighter.

Additionally, the centre console in the front seat is wider and higher – providing a well-placed armrest for front-seat passengers without noticeably encroaching on knee room.

Like the old model, the new GLC boasts a second row that can fold in a 40:20:40 split, with ISOFIX points on each of the outboard seats (neatly covered by flexible rubber flaps) and three top-tether attachment points over the back of the middle row.

The second row of the old GLC featured a fold-down armrest with a lidded storage console and cupholders.

However, the new GLC has updated this armrest, removing the lidded storage box and instead adding a pop-out pen holder (for the executive on the go) and snazzier cupholders.

Door bins, air vents and map pockets remain virtually unchanged when compared to the old model, but a small storage ledge has been added below the central air vents – good for an AirPod case but not much else.

Does the new Mercedes-Benz GLC have a bigger boot?

Yes, the new GLC’s boot is bigger than the old model’s by roughly 50L, offering 620L of cargo space in total. That expands to 1680L with the second row stowed in a 40:20:40 split.

The new boot also boasts 7.8cm of extra depth compared to the old model, although width remains unchanged.

To the naked eye, this extra space won’t be particularly noticeable, as the GLC’s boot has retained its predecessor’s wide, straightforward design – which was already spacious to begin with.

Both the old and new model offer a power tailgate as standard, but the new model has done away with the optional air suspension package that allowed you to raise and lower the tailgate height from the boot. Apparently that option wasn’t proving that popular amongst buyers.

Both the old and new model feature levers in the boot to remotely lower the second row, retractable and removable soft cargo covers, and limited underfloor storage.

The big difference is that, on the new model, there’s now a temporary spare wheel under the floor – whereas the previous-generation GLC had to make do with run-flat tyres.

	Old Mercedes-Benz GLC300	New 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
Seats	Five	Five
Boot volume	570L seats up	620L seats up (+50L)
Length	4656mm	4716mm (+60mm)
Width	1890mm	1890mm (+0mm)
Height	1644mm	1640mm (-4mm)
Wheelbase	2873mm	2888mm (+15mm)

Is the new Mercedes-Benz GLC more powerful than the old one?

The new GLC300’s powertrain has benefitted from a slight performance boost compared to its predecessor, courtesy of the addition of a mild-hybrid system.

There’s still a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the bonnet sending drive to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.

But now it’s aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that can turn the engine off under low load while cruising, or add 17kW of power and 200Nm of torque boost to the standard outputs under heavy acceleration.

The old GLC300’s outputs were rated at 190kW of power and 370Nm of torque, while the new model’s power output remains unchanged at 190kW and the torque figure is boosted to 400Nm.

Mercedes-Benz claims the new GLC can accelerate from 0–100km/h in 6.2 seconds, which is unchanged from the previous generation.

Is the new Mercedes-Benz GLC safer than the old one?

The new GLC scored a five-star safety rating from ANCAP and performed well in crash testing.

The new GLC’s adult occupant protection score (92 per cent) is the second-highest of any mid-size SUV tested against ANCAP’s new protocols, second only to the Tesla Model Y.

Meanwhile, its child occupant protection rating (92 per cent) is the equal-highest of any mid-size SUV on sale – tied with the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Last time it was tested by ANCAP in 2015, the old GLC received 95 per cent for adult occupant protection and 89 per cent for child occupant protection – although those scores pre-dated some major updates to ANCAP testing criteria.

The airbag count in the new GLC has also been bolstered from seven to 10 with the addition of a front centre airbag for added protection in the event of a side impact.

Standard safety equipment includes adaptive high beams, a 360-degree camera that’s more advanced than the old version, a tyre pressure warning system, active blind-spot monitoring, active lane-keeping, active cruise control with distance control and traffic sign recognition.

	Old Mercedes-Benz GLC300	New 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
ANCAP rating	Five stars (tested 2015)	Five stars (tested 2022)
Safety report	ANCAP report	ANCAP report

Does the new Mercedes-Benz GLC have Apple CarPlay?

Yes, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are now standard on the GLC. Previously, smartphone mirroring was only available through a wired connection.

Apple CarPlay also now fills the entire screen – it only filled part of the screen in the old model.

Infotainment in the new GLC is managed out of an 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen display that feels noticeably bigger than the old model’s 10.25-inch landscape unit.

Other now-standard inclusions are a head-up display, a fingerprint scanner (to allow you to easily return the vehicle to your personal settings), advanced sound system and a wireless smartphone charger.

The latter was also offered as standard on the old GLC, but was temporarily removed due to semiconductor shortages.

Whereas the old model featured physical buttons for steering wheel controls, the new model has replaced these with touch buttons with haptic feedback.

Climate controls have also been rolled into the touchscreen, removing the need for physical buttons.

The central air vents previously sat beneath the infotainment screen, but are now located above the touchscreen, allowing the air flow to more directly target the driver and passenger’s heads.

The old and new GLC feature a digital driver display that measures 12.3 inches in size, but the new model offers more customisation, crisper graphics and more information (some older models featured an even-smaller display crammed between the speedometer and tachometer).

Mercedes-Benz believes removing legacy switchgear and incorporating more functions into the singular touchscreen will reduce driver distraction, but some drivers might find this approach somewhat fiddly while on the move.

Is the new Mercedes-Benz GLC fuel-efficient?

Yes, the addition of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to the new GLC’s powertrain has meant that, in theory, it should be more fuel-efficient than its predecessor.

The idea is that the new 48-volt electrical system is able to recuperate energy when slowing, and turn the car’s engine off while cruising, which theoretically means reduced fuel consumption.

Claimed fuel use is down to 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres, which is 0.5L lower than the previous generation’s claim of 8.2L/100km.

Keep an eye out for our real-world testing of the new GLC, which will put any fuel claims through their paces.

Fuel Useage	Fuel Stats
Fuel cons. (claimed)	7.7L/100km
Fuel cons. (on test)	Not tested
Fuel type	95-octane premium unleaded
Fuel tank size	65L

What features does the new Mercedes-Benz GLC have as standard?

To justify the price hikes for the new GLC, some equipment that was previously offered as an option has now been made standard.

For starters, the now-standard AMG Line exterior package adds aluminium roof rails, AMG body styling, a sporty engine sound and 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels (which can be made all-black at an additional cost).

There’s also an AMG Line package fitted to the interior, which adds fancy AMG floor mats, plus Artico man-made leather upholstery across the seats and dash.

While the old GLC offered the option of genuine leather upholstery at an additional cost, this option has been removed entirely from the new GLC. The only genuine leather you’ll find is on the multi-function sports steering wheel, which is upholstered in nappa leather.

As standard, the front “sports seats” in the new GLC are heated, offering power adjustment with memory function for both the driver and passenger, plus four-way electric lumbar adjustment.

While a sunroof was previously only offered as an option, it’s now included as standard.

The interior design has been further enhanced with the standard fitment of things like an interior lighting package, customisable ambient lighting with a dizzying number of colour options, and a centre console finished in a mix of wood-grain and gloss black.

A parking package is now included as standard, incorporating a crisp 360-degree camera, active parking assist, and what’s called a “transparent bonnet” – giving the driver an augmented view of the terrain directly beneath the vehicle, which is particularly useful for off-road driving.

Finally, a fingerprint scanner beneath the infotainment screen on the new GLC gives drivers with a Mercedes Me app profile the ability to use their own fingerprint to activate all of their personal settings for ambient lighting, seat positioning and display configurations.

Key details	Old Mercedes-Benz GLC300	New 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300
Engine	2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol	2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol mild hybrid
Power	190kW	190kW
Torque	370Nm	400Nm (+30Nm)
Drive type	All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
Transmission	Nine-speed automatic transmission	Nine-speed automatic transmission
Weight (tare)	1901kg	1970kg
Spare tyre type	None, run-flat tyres	Temporary spare
Tow rating	2400kg braked 750kg unbraked	2400kg braked 750kg unbraked

Is the new Mercedes-Benz GLC better than the old one?

Compared to the old GLC, the new GLC is a little bit bigger, a little bit more powerful, and a little bit more efficient.

Putting on-road performance aside (stay tuned for our local launch review, which will explore that in more detail), Mercedes-Benz has further streamlined and honed what was already a compelling car.

None of the interior changes are particularly revolutionary, but it’s clear the German marque has incorporated real consumer feedback in its decision to simplify the range and bolster the amount of standard equipment.

Plug-in hybrid variants of the new GLC have been ruled out for the Australian market as Mercedes chooses to focus on its fully-electric cars locally, but a coupe-styled version of the GLC will arrive in December 2023, with performance-enhanced AMG versions likely to follow soon after.