2018 Mercedes Benz GLC Class Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

For decades, Mercedes-Benz has been the poster-child for luxury vehicles. Model after model has been exquisite and increasingly high-tech. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is no exception. This small crossover SUV provides the perfect balance between high-powered performance and the comfort of a daily driver. While you will be paying good money for it, the GLC-Class offers an excellent fuel economy and a top-notch design that is both spacious and high-brow.

What's New for 2018?

Two brand-new models make their debut as part of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class lineup. The AMG GLC 63 is the performance-based, line-topping new model; the other is a plug-in hybrid variant called the GLC 350e. Also, the Smartphone Integration package now includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some packages have been more suitably renamed.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLC Class – The Pros

1. The Base Engine's Fuel Economy

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class comes with a standard 2.0-L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is paired with a 9-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. This powertrain is capable of getting 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It also gets a decent fuel economy for this class, getting a combined 24 mpg.

2. Plenty of Interior Space

There is plenty of space inside of the GLC-Class' cabin, which is truly one of the most spacious cabins in its class. Whether you are seated up front or in the rear, you will find an abundance of head, shoulder, hip, and legroom. Even taller adults can fit into the rear seats without much of a hassle.

3. Luxurious and Contemporary Design

Nothing on the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class looks like a feigned and vain attempt at luxury. Everything is well-crafted, right down to the stitches on the upholstery. Materials are unquestionably high-quality, and the exterior looks just as chic and upscale as the interior.

4. Swift Acceleration

If you feel the need for speed, the GLC-Class can fulfill your desire. While the GLC-Class is not the fastest in its class, this vehicle can get from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 6.7 seconds. It has no trouble passing other vehicles on the highway.

5. Impressive Steering and Handling

Steering and handling feel incredibly natural and secure on the GLC-Class. Sport mode really provides an extra amount of feedback to the driver, although Normal mode feels fine. There is virtually no body roll on this SUV, which is quite surprising. The GLC-Class handles winding roadways with ease and inspires driver confidence.

6. The Optional Air Body Control Suspension

If you can afford it, equip your GLC-Class vehicle with the optional Air Body Control suspension. This suspension provides an even better ride quality, smoothing out all bumps and jitters.

7. Extremely Comfy Seats

All of the seats in the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class are incredibly well-bolstered and upholstered with plush materials. Front seats can be equipped with an optional thigh adjuster, which makes long car rides all the more pleasant to sit through.

8. A Serene Ride

Wind, road, and engine noise are almost entirely muted inside of the well-insulated GLC-Class cabin. If you stick with the smaller tires and get the optional Air Body Control suspension equipped, you will feel almost no bumps regardless of road surface or speed. Overall, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class provides one of the quietest and relaxing rides.

9. Excellent Visibility

Front, side, and even rear visibility are all vast on the GLC-Class. While the roof pillars are quite chunky, this does not present a problem. Blind spots aren't large, and, with the standard rearview camera and numerous optional driver aids equipped, blind spots can succinctly be navigated.

10. A Massive Cargo Area

A lot of luxury vehicles suffer from diminished cargo space. The GLC-Class does not. In fact, it has a maximum of 56.5 cubic feet of space when you fold the rear seats down. Bulky items can be stored in the rear without a problem.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLC Class – The Cons

1. The Tricky Tech Interface

If you are not a gadget guru, good luck figuring out the tricky infotainment interface. The screen is a respectable 7-inch (or 8.4-inch, if you buy the Multimedia Package) touchscreen display, but the setup is horribly confusing for many drivers. If you are looking for something a little bit more user-friendly, the E-Class is where it's at.

2. The Price Skyrockets As Options Are Added

Mercedes-Benz offers a lot of great stand-alone and package options. However, adding even just a few of them will cause the price of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class to soar. While some of these options are really worth adding, you have to select carefully if you are shopping on a budget.

3. The Engine Stop-Start Function

One little nitpicky con to the GLC-Class is that, for some reason, the engine stop-start function makes itself incredibly obvious when starting up. For most drivers, this won't be a major annoyance, but it will be hard to ignore when you first drive the vehicle.

How it Stacks up to the Competition:

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class vs. 2018 Audi Q5

The 2018 Audi Q5 is one of the top contenders in the small luxury crossover category for the model year. Despite the fact that it lacks the generous cargo space found on the GLC-Class and has only one engine option, there is a lot to love about the Q5. The Q5 offers an incredibly quiet cabin, standard all-wheel drive, and a brand-new chassis that gives it one of the smoothest rides possible.

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class vs. 2018 Jaguar F-Pace

Another top contender for the model year is the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace. Although this new kid on the block does not look as luxurious as the GLC-Class and lacks some ride quality refinement, the F-Pace is making a name for itself. It has an extremely powerful V6 engine option that provides ample acceleration and 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place. Also, there is an extremely fuel-efficient diesel engine option that bests what you find on the GLC models.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has a lot of great features. Despite a few minor setbacks (some of which are just downright nitpicky), the GLC models are poised to be big sellers in the segment this year. They effortlessly blend a powerful performance with the creature comforts that drivers should expect to get from a high-priced luxury vehicle.