It’s best gas-powered small luxury SUV

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The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC takes the road this spring as the best gasoline-powered compact luxury SUV, thanks to a smooth new engine, increased room and comfort and a range of welcome features for safety and convenience.

The details of my test drive

What is it? 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic, gasoline-powered compact luxury SUV.

Why should you consider it? Room, features, value.

What does it lack? Easy to use buttons or dials for fan, temp, volume, etc.

How much does it cost? Base price $47,100 for rear-drive, $49,100 AWD, excluding $1,150 destination charge.

Price as tested: $58,850, excluding destination charge.

When can you buy it? On sale now.

Mercedes-Benz 2023 GLC 300 compact luxury SUV

The GLC is the best-selling Mercedes in the United States. The new model, based on the same platform as the C-class sedan, should widen the margin, and turn up the heat for competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Cadillac XT5, Genesis GV70, Lexus RX and Lincoln Nautilus.

Like the sedans that used to rule the market, top-selling compact and midsize SUVs claw their way to the top of the heap by being good at everything, and lacking any major flaws.

The new GLC checks all the boxes with a raft of enhancements starting with new front and rear suspensions, more passenger and cargo space.

Mercedes GLC 300 prices and trim levels

GLC 300: $47,100

GLC 300 4Matic: $49,200

Prices exclude $1,150 destination charge

Source: Mercedes-Benz USA

New features, an old annoyance

The 2023 GLC is 2.4 inches longer than its predecessor. Its well-appointed interior provides plenty of front and rear leg and headroom. The cargo compartment compares well to competitors, and a power tailgate is standard.

The interior of my well-equipped test car had leather upholstery and attractive, low-gloss brown ash wood trim.

The dash has a configurable 12.3-inch instrument panel with a sharp display and an 11.9-inch touch screen. The touch screen is bright, clear and responds quickly.

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Unfortunately, there’s an almost complete lack of buttons or dials for frequently used controls like audio volume, temperature and fan speed. This is an ongoing fault of many vehicles: Automakers have fallen in love with inexpensive touch screens or capacitive controls and use them even for features the driver should be able to find without taking eyes off the road.

Mercedes digital assistant remains inconsistent, occasionally chiming in when it hasn’t been asked and struggling with some relatively common controls.

On the bright side, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

Other interior features include:

A fingerprint sensor to initiate individual driver profile settings.
Standard heated front seats with memory and lumbar support.
Ambient lighting with animation.
Programmable favorite driving mode.
Blind spot assist.
Sunroof.
Optional Burmeister audio with 15 speakers and 710 watts.
Optional ventilated front seats and heated rear seats.
Optional heated steering wheel.

Driving impressions

Mercedes’ smooth and powerful mild hybrid turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine generates 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A 48-volt mild hybrid system adds up to 23 hp and 148 pound-feet of torque for 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.2 seconds. Top speed is 132 mph.

Mercedes’ new family of mild hybrid inline four- and six-cylinder engines are extraordinarily smooth. There’s virtually no vibration or noise on startup. The engine shuts off and restarts seamlessly when idling or coasting at highway speed.

The nine-speed automatic transmission is virtually unnoticeable, except in sport mode, when it holds gears longer and shifts more authoritatively.

The steering is quick and direct and the suspension holds the GLC stable under acceleration and in quick maneuvers while also absorbing bumps.

The smooth shape barely ruffles the breeze, and sound insulation keeps the interior quiet at high speeds.

Few GLC owners are likely to go off road, but a camera provides “transparent hood,” a view of the surface immediately under the vehicle’s front, including the front wheels and their steering path.

The all-wheel-drive system, however is engineered more for on-road control and performance. Its default setting sends 55% of torque to the rear wheels. Standard wheels are 18 inches; 19- and 20- are available.

Driver assistance and safety features

Automatic high beams
Adaptive cruise control with route-based speed adaptation
Active lane keeping
Lane centering
Active lane change assist
Active braking for front collisions
Attention assist
Pedestrian alert
LED headlights and taillights
Blind spot and cross traffic alert and assist
Exit alert for oncoming vehicles
Head-up display
Augmented reality navigation
Automatic parking

Bottom line

The 2023 GLC raises the bar for comfort and technology among hot-selling compact luxury SUVs. The design is restrained and modern, with a bold Mercedes star on the prominent grille.

Mercedes’s infatuation with capacitive controls is frustrating, but not enough to offset the GLC’s many useful features, performance and practical layout.

GLC 300 prices are competitive with other small luxury SUVs.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 at a glance

Base price: $47,100 (all prices exclude $1,150 destination charge)

Compact rear- or all-wheel-drive five-passenger luxury SUV

On sale now

Specifications as tested:

Model tested: EGLC 300 4Matic

Price as tested: $58,850

Power: 2.0L engine producing 255 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque; 48-volt starter-generator can add 23 hp/148 pound-feet for brief periods

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