Mercedes-Benz GLC200 Review

In the market for a premium German compact SUV? You're soon to be spoilt for choice.

Hot on the trail of this BMW X3 which we drove in December 2024, is this new variant of the Mercedes-Benz GLC. This GLC200 packs a total of 201bhp, which is 54bhp short of the GLC300, but also can be yours from just $367,888, a sizeable discount against $391,888 that its more powerful stablemate is demanding.

Is this enough to make it the pick of the segment?

The 201bhp 2.0-litre engine manages to haul the 1,910kg body of the Mercedes-Benz GLC200 without feeling strained

Easy cruiser

Don't be deterred by those missing horses from arranging your own test drive. Even with that power deficit, this GLC200 can hardly be described as lethargic.

Quite the opposite, in fact. The 2.0-litre unit in this new variant is a known entity by now: We were impressed by the refinement levels it offered in the CLE200, and it continues to deliver here, even when tasked to haul this GLC's not insignificant total weight of 1,910kg.

If manoeuvring about in heavy traffic is part of your daily commute, you'll be glad to note that the mild-hybrid system deployed here is equally commendable: Start/stop cycles in this Mercedes-Benz GLC are near undetectable.

There's plenty of space for two in the second row in this GLC, alongside a class-leading 620-litre boot further aft

And if it's more open roads that you imagine yourself taking on in this GLC, then you'll want to note that this drivetrain also saw us clocking an average fuel economy of 12km/L during the three days we spent with it - just a bit shy of its official fuel consumption rate of 14.1km/L.

But what will really impress is the manner in which this GLC200 chews up those miles. Drives in this premium SUV are always quiet, and all within will also be kept comfortable. This GLC sits on a well-tuned set of springs and dampers that prove enough to arrest unwanted rocking over poor roads while still managing to let the body of the GLC gently crest over obstacles without jolting the passengers within.

Push this car hard and its nine-speed gearbox can take some time to find the correct lower gear, but if inner-city commutes form the majority of drives you'll take on in this GLC, this shouldn't become a pain point.

The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz GLC is both a tactile and visual delight

Ready to impress

And why would you, when you can simply relax and take in the delightful cabin of this GLC? 

If it's visual panache you're after in your premium SUV, the GLC200 should prove hard to turn down. The black open-pore wood trim on the dashboard (complete with aluminium inlays) is both a visual and tactile delight, and the car's 12.3-inch instrument panel and 11.9-inch infotainment display feel like they have been designed to not get overshadowed, delivering an equally attention-grabbing palette of colours.

The former offers plenty of customisation options, while the latter will take a bit of familiarisation given its mishmash of sub-menu layouts - but still proves responsive to inputs.

There are faults here, though. I found the single smartphone holder to be located too deep within the centre console, and impossible to access should you also choose to make use of both cupholders. The car's footrest was also just a little too short for comfortable use.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC200 combines style, practicality, and comfort all in one now more affordable package

A new star

Thinking about making this your next German-brand premium SUV? If factors including ride comfort rank high in your list of priorities and you cannot wait long to secure your next ride, you'll find this this GLC200 the pick of the segment - leave the BMW X3 to those looking for a sportier and more engaging drive.

But of course, if there is no urgent need to secure a new car, there's also the upcoming new Audi Q5 to consider. We have yet to drive the new Q5, unfortunately, but it is set to arrive here in the coming months (with Audi's own 201bhp 2.0-litre engine, mind), and should prove able to compete against this GLC for ride comfort, given that it's based on the same PPC platform that already impressed us in the Audi A5.

We'll be doing our best to get all three of these cars lined up against each other when they all arrive here, of course, and when that day comes, you'll be able to consider yourself truly spoilt for choice.

Shopping for a premium SUV? There's also these cars to consider:

Perhaps you'd like to see just what the Lexus NX Hybrid is like?

Or maybe this Volvo XC60 would also appeal to you

But this Porsche Macan might be what you're looking for if you're thinking of going all-electric!