The Mercedes GLC is a premium mid-size SUV that’s inspired by the C-Class saloon but offers a higher view of the road and chunkier styling,The car sits on 19- or 20-inch alloys – the larger alloys fill the wheel arches better – while there’s lots of chrome detailing to give off a high-end feel. At the rear, there’s some fakery with the exhaust openings, but on the whole, there’s again a strong presence and the GLC looks pretty good.
In the back seats you’ll find plenty of head and legroom, even with the panoramic sunroof in place. There’s a large hump in the floor that can limit foot space, but sitting three across the back is okay. The front chairs can prevent easy child seat fitting with a top-heavy design that can block rear-facing seats.
By going for one of the plug-in hybrids, you’ll find the GLC to be excellent around town. Apart from the odd jolt over harsher bumps at slow speeds, the suspension soaks up a lot of lumpier surfaces, even with the additional weight of batteries potentially spoiling it.
While it’s excellent in town, the GLC is most at home while cruising on the motorway. With its well-balanced ride and well-refined cabin, exterior noise is minimal with only a little bit of tyre noise. The petrol engine in the PHEV we tested was refined and efficient too, making the 300e the most compelling overall setup.
While this isn’t where the Mercedes GLC Is at its best, it performs admirably enough. Going up against the likes of the Porsche Macan and Audi Q5 though, it was never going to be the most exciting option.