Late in 2015 Mercedes-Benz introduced the GLC, which, according to the brand’s new naming structure, would make it an SUV version of the rather impressive C-Class. I got behind the wheel of the petrol variant recently to find out what’s what.

Parallels with C-Class

If you’re at all familiar with the new Mercedes-Benz range you’ll likely find no surprises when looking at the GLC, both from an interior and exterior perspective. It really does look like a beefier C-Class that’s been put on stilts. I mention this because most buyers would have already decided that they’re either going Mercedes or BMW or Audi, for example, but will wonder whether it’s the saloon or SUV version of one of these that they will purchase.

Inside you’ll find much of the same design elements utilised in the C-Class too, while in terms of party piece, the GLC offers 4Matic all-wheel-drive where its sedan counterpart does not. It will also tow up to 2 400kg where its sedan counterpart will manage 1 800kg. It’s the same with boot capacity where the GLC trumps the C-Class with 550 litres to the 480 litres of the C-Class.

I don’t see its similarity with the sedan as a bad thing; the C-Class is a great vehicle and the GLC, if anything, adds to its appeal on a day-to-day driving basis with the more popular raised ride height, the promise of a plainer ride and a degree of off-road ability, should you require it.

Infotainment quirk

Many people who I have chatted to about the Mercedes-Benz products say that the infotainment system is a bit tricky to use with the central toggle switch and large touchpad nestled just behind it. I have never had trouble with the system though. I found it quite intuitive and very easy to use while the drive mode buttons and various setting nestled in the gear-knob-free centre console appear, to me at least, to be quite straightforward.

What’s it like to drive?

I had the GLC 250 Exclusive version, which is powered by a 2.0-litre, turbocharged petrol motor with 155kW/350Nm and comes with a 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox. The motor and gearbox combination works very well, with a good spread of torque and a balance of performance and consumption, thanks to all those gears. It will get you to 100km/h in around 7.3 seconds and use a claimed 7.1 litres/100km although my test unit registered a figure closer to 8.5 litres/100km.

The GLC is nicer to drive than the C-Class, in my opinion, and while I enjoy a sportier set-up in vehicles I have to admit, there’s a more supple quality to the ride in this SUV version. As a driver you aren’t very aware of the engine most of the time as it whispers along while our rather badly maintained roads provided me with an opportunity to discover the benefits of not fitting low profile tyres to a vehicle. Stick to the Exclusive edition if you’re buying the GLC, the AMG line version will likely make the ride a bit harsher than what you’d want.

Tech fest

My test car had many safety items fitted; the keyword here is, “fitted” as many of these items are optional extras. The model itself sounds fairly reasonable in terms of price at R680 944. However, once you delve into that optional extras list things can become quite scary. For instance, the model comes with 181mm of ground clearance but if you opt for the off-road engineering package with air suspension you’ll get up to 227mm ground clearance and vastly improved approach and departure angles. This will set you back a few bob though as will the number of options fitted to my press unit, too many in fact to fit into this road test.

Would I buy one over a C-Class?

In a word…Yes. The GLC, from almost every perspective bar dynamics is a superior vehicle to the C-Class.  You may pay in the region of R70 000 to R100 000 more for a similar GLC versus a C-Class however, I feel that you’re getting more car for your money.