Our First Spin in a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Prototype

The new GLC’s wheelbase only grows by fifty percent an inch, and although which is fairly small, it does manifest inside of as a a lot more spacious cabin. The effect, in the rear seats in unique, is enhanced by the narrow shoulders of the entrance seatbacks, which give rear travellers a very good view via to the entrance. Headroom and legroom are decent in the front and two outer rear seats, with the center seat extra acceptable for kids or scaled-down grown ups.

The impression of comfort and ease is further bolstered by the aforementioned tranquil of the inside in the hard conditions of our exam drive. We’ll need to exam it on the road to be definitely specific of these impressions, but dependent on our early generate in the GLC, it’ll be even additional serene than the incredibly comfortable outgoing model. 

How’s the GLC’s inside?

As a prototype, the GLC we are driving and using in is putting on inside trim coverings to hold items key right until its formal reveal later this 12 months. It is not capable to protect all the things, though, and with so a lot of of the features, both generate- and convenience-linked, contained in the substantial central display it has to be uncovered though we push it. What is obvious is that Mercedes-Benz has lifted the GLC’s interior quite a lot solely from the new C-Course, which is no lousy point. That indicates there is certainly a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, which offers a diploma of configurability to go well with your preferences. You can find also a 11.9-inch vertically oriented monitor situated amongst the driver and passenger.

What elements and surfaces that can be arrived at under the covers reveal by themselves to be of large top quality — equivalent, again, to the redesigned C-Class. Mercedes-Benz has still to announce the trim amounts, but we are probable to see GLC 300, GLC 300e and an AMG product earlier mentioned people. The inside components and tools will modify as you climb the selection, with the AMG product selected to get a lot more sporting seats and trim. Visible packages these types of as the AMG Line from the present GLC are probably to proceed to be presented. We are going to affirm the GLC’s inside specification and possibilities when we sample a production product at the launch later this yr.

How’s the GLC’s tech?

Connectivity, leisure, infotainment and ease functions are all increased for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC. That includes the 2nd incarnation of Merc’s outstanding MBUX interface, that central touchscreen has everything from augmented truth-increased navigation to an Energizing Mentor that alters many inside features to promote nicely-remaining on a journey. Considerably of that tech is optional, and Mercedes-Benz has but to validate typical products, but connectivity by way of Apple CarPlay and Android Car will probable be regular across the array. One of the a lot more attention-grabbing functions is a 360-degree parking camera, which also exhibits what is under the overall body when utilizing the off-road driving method, to help when driving the GLC on a trail.

The management of all that tech is effectively integrated, with all key features effortlessly accessed by using the massive central touchscreen, with submenus for lesser applied functions proving reasonably fast and uncomplicated to discover. The new steering wheel incorporates contact manage surfaces allowing even further command of a lot of features, as perfectly as what is shown ahead of you on the electronic instrument monitor. If that is also substantially hassle, declaring “Hey Mercedes” and asking it to flip up the warmth, change radio stations, phone Mom or execute other commands will work quite slickly, far too. There are enhanced driver aids as nicely this kind of as expanded performance of website traffic indicator recognition, an automatic parking process and a trailer aid operate.

How are the GLC’s storage and towing?

The prior GLC’s storage capability of 19.4 cubic ft wasn’t exactly class-primary. The new version’s cargo space grows to 21.1 cubes, which is still bested by many of its rivals.

Towing figures have not been launched yet, but it can be not unreasonable to anticipate the new GLC to be broadly similar to the existing model, which all over again trails the finest of the competitors. If it can be not massive, capacious or capable to tow as substantially as you would like it to, Mercedes-Benz’s salespeople will fortunately point you in the way of the GLE, nevertheless for most little family members, the GLC’s practicality will not be located lacking in much too lots of parts general.

How economical is the GLC?

Since we only drove a prototype, we can’t offer any official gas financial system figures. What we can say is that with the adoption of that 48-volt mild hybrid tech with the built-in starter-alternator in the computerized transmission, the new GLC should return greater gasoline mileage and emit much less particulates than the car or truck it replaces. The new plug-in hybrid model’s generous vary estimates need to allow owners to do a sizable portion of their day-to-day driving with no ever needing the combustion engine.

Edmunds suggests

The present-day GLC has been a persistently sturdy performer towards its competition, although it has been a short while ago dethroned by the Genesis GV70 in the modest luxury SUV class. Based on our confined take a look at generate of the redesigned model, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC could possibly have what it usually takes to snag the crown as soon as much more.