Mercedes-Benz GLC Comparison

Following its redesign in 2015, this Mercedes compact Luxury SUV was refreshed in 2019. The company updated the front and rear fascias with head- and taillamps receiving a sprucing up to make them more contemporary and tidy. The interior also received a freshening with the integration of the MBUX infotainment system. MBUX combines a fantastic high-definition display screen with navigation overlays and arrows on road images. The system helps the driver understand direct travel advice. And then there is what it does to the audio system.

The previous click wheel controller is gone, replaced by an intuitive touchpad device. Redundancies are also in place on the steering wheel. Drivers are also free to use the touchscreen display or the "Hey Mercedes" voice commands. What's "Hey Mercedes?" Think of it as an Amazon Alexa-like device for your Mercedes-Benz. It's how you wake the MBUX system for voice recognition, with phrases like "Hey Mercedes, take me home," or "Hey Mercedes, Call the office."

There's a rich combination of metal, wood, leather-like MB-Tex, and genuine leather that helps you to personalize and make the Mercedes-Benz GLC your own. Open grain woods lend a luxurious touch around the cabin for a look and feel that other vehicles cannot touch.

2020 added power under the hood of the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Improving on the M274 engine, a M264 engine took its place. It combines power and fuel efficiency enabling your GLC to go further faster. How so? The M264 engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. That's 14 more ponies than the outgoing engine made and the best part is it reduces fuel emissions at the same time.

This twin-scroll turbocharged engine is also equipped with a flow-optimized exhaust system that helps it achieve its peak torque at a barely breathing 1,800 rpm. The engine is matched exclusively to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz's 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system is available for an additional $2,000.

Once cruising speed is achieved, on perhaps the Autobahn, the Mercedes GLC is a bullet, hurtling down the highway at triple-digit speeds. Here at home, we are confined to the limits (and moving traffic) of the Interstates. Interior noise is well-controlled, and outside wind noise is almost nonexistent.

As an off-road performer, the Mercedes Benz manages to hold its own. While it's clear that many SUVs never manage to get their undersides dirty, if pushed into service, the GLC can handle it, thanks to the available adaptive dampers and an adjustable chassis that can raise and lower up to three-quarters of an inch. As a result, this Mercedes is capable of fording water or mud up to 11.8 inches.

BATTERIES ARE INCLUDED IF YOU WANT

The 2020 model also offered upgrades on the hybrid front with the GLC 350e too. The Plug-in Hybrid Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e continues for 2020 but with an updated 13.5 kWh battery unit that replaces the previous 8.7 kWh version. The benefit is added mileage when in pure electric mode. There is also a 7.4 kW onboard charger to increase the charging capacity over the previous 3.6 kW version. It results in faster recharging from both Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.

The GLC 350e's powerplant also improves, growing from 85 to 90 kW, making 121 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque versus the previous 114 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque. Using "new math" that yields 315 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque.

Though relatively minor changes, they made the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC freshened and ready to go.

Where your next adventure will take you is entirely up to you.