2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 Road Test and Review

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 represents a mid-cycle revamp of this popular premium compact crossover. The GLC has become the company’s best-seller, taking over from the C-Class compact sedan. But we shouldn’t be talking about the GLC as if it’s one vehicle.

In reality, the 2020 GLC-Class is a range that encompasses regular SUV and “four-door coupe” body styles, high-performance AMG C 63 variants, and, later in the year, plug-in hybrid and AMG C 43 additions. For this review, however, we’re narrowing our focus to the base GLC 300 models.

A subtle cosmetic redesign is perhaps the smallest change to the GLC for 2020. More substantial updates center on hardware and software. The infotainment system, for example, now has voice control that recognizes natural speech. And it includes a digital assistant. Say “Hey Mercedes” to wake it up (we found just saying “Mercedes” was sufficient).

There’s also a new center console touchpad, touchpad-type buttons on the steering wheel, LED exterior lighting as standard, and a new engine (with 14 horsepower more than last year's). A 12.3-inch digital driver information display becomes available, along with extra driver aids like active lane-change assist and a route-based speed adaptation feature, which automatically slows down the adaptive cruise control when approaching curves, intersections, toll booths, and the like.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 starts at $42,500, plus a $995 destination charge, making it $43,495 before options for the rear-drive SUV model. Adding all-wheel drive, known as 4Matic, is an extra $2,000. For context, the 2020 BMW X3 also starts at around $42,000; the 2020 Audi Q5 (with Quattro all-wheel drive as standard) is in the $44,000 region.

The 2020 GLC 300 4Matic Coupe starts at $50,995 and, as its name suggests, comes with all-wheel drive as standard. The 2020 BMW X4, the only direct rival to the GLC Coupe, is similarly in the low $50,000s, but it comes with rear-wheel drive in its base version.

Until quite recently, German vehicles were short on standard equipment and charged large amounts for options that most buyers really wanted. Things have changed slightly. There’s a long list of standard features in the 2020 GLC 300, including 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, a powered tailgate, selectable driving modes, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated/power-adjustable front seats with driver’s-side memory settings, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

The new infotainment system (which uses artificial intelligence) is already found in bigger, more expensive Mercedes-Benz models, such as the 2020 GLE-Class. Standard safety equipment includes Crosswind Assist. We’ve tested it and it works. There’s also automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, hill start assist, and a driver attention alert.

The 4Matic all-wheel drive system is a major addition, especially for those living in the snow belt. Mercedes-Benz also has an off-road package on the options list. We recommend the Driver Assistance package, which includes adaptive cruise control and enhanced versions of things like steering and blind-spot monitoring. The Parking Assistance package also includes a 360-degree camera system.

Turning up the temperature are a heated steering wheel and heated rear outboard seats. Or the front seats can come with ventilation. A three-zone climate control system and a panoramic sunroof are also offered. Audiophiles should check out the Burmester Surround Sound system, and other tech features include wireless charging, a head-up display, adaptive high beams, and navigation with augmented reality.

A new engine propels the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. It’s still a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but it’s more muscular than the 2019 version. It develops 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. That’s slightly better than the BMW X3, although the Audi Q5 has the same amount of torque. This links to a nine-speed automatic transmission, driving the rear wheels in the base GLC 300 or all four in the GLC 300 4Matic.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the rear-drive 2020 GLC 300 are 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The 4Matic version achieves 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, so there’s not much of a penalty for having all-wheel drive.

There’s no speed penalty with the 4Matic system, either. Both versions of the 2020 GLC will zip from standstill to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. That's not exactly making the jump to warp, but no one typically buys a compact crossover for the thrills.

Instead, this new engine feels smooth yet gutsy, suitable for a luxury vehicle, and ready to provide passing power with a flex of the right foot. Drivers can become more involved by using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Whether you're clicking through the gears manually or letting the car automatically choose them itself, the shift action is barely perceptible. Among the car's available driving modes, Sport is a good everyday setting, sharpening up throttle responses just enough and giving the steering a pleasant weight.

Let’s address handling first. The 2020 GLC 300 is based on the same platform as the C-Class sedan, so the emphasis is more on luxury than absolute precision through the corners. This is obviously fine with most buyers. It doesn’t mean, however, that the GLC is some wallowing yawn-machine.

Always composed and controlled, the GLC is a pleasure to drive even in this non-AMG incarnation. There’s no option for an adaptive suspension that would expand comfort and sportiness, but this setup works more than well enough. The only thing being that the larger wheel sizes (up to 21-inch alloys are available) will have a detrimental effect on ride quality. Things like expansion joints on bridges and freeways become more noticeable.

This is one of those cases where it would need a 2019 GLC parked next to a 2020 GLC to really spot the differences. Given the vehicle’s sales successes, such restraint is only to be expected. There’s more of an A-shape to the grille and the air intakes are larger.

The “four-door coupe” version is at least differentiated not just by its rear half but also by its bespoke grille treatment. And allow us to be subjective for a moment, but if we didn’t absolutely need the most rear passenger and cargo space, we’d choose the GLC coupe over the SUV. It's unlike virtually every other SUV/crossover out there and an arguably more pleasing design than the BMW X4.

Up front, where there’s no difference between the GLC SUV and the coupe, it’s all refinement and taste, with high-quality materials wherever one looks and touches. There are three USB ports, but they’re all the modern Type-C versions; owners will need an adapter for their older USB plugs.

Once we get past the B-pillar, things start to diverge. The SUV’s rear legroom of 37.3 inches is acceptable, the Coupe is a bit tight (Mercedes-Benz hasn’t supplied a figure). Any passenger 6 feet tall or over should get their “shotgun” shout in early. The SUV’s cargo space measures 19.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 56.5 cubic feet when they’re folded flat. The coupe comes with 17.7 and 49.4 cubic feet, respectively.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and GLC 300 4Matic, in both SUV and coupe form, are excellent luxury compact crossovers. It’s just that one is a bit more practical than the other.

If maximum space and more driver engagement are important, check out the BMW X3. The Lexus NX is also in this category, but priced more keenly; the larger Lexus RX isn’t too far off cost-wise. And be aware that options can still add several thousand to a GLC 300’s final amount.

Nevertheless, the GLC deserves its best-seller status, and this 2020 version is well-positioned to carry on the good work.