2023 Mercedes-AMG GLC-Class Coupe
Overview
There’s no shortage of performance SUVs available these days, and the same can be said of crossovers with a coupe-like roofline. The 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe offers both attributes: performance and fastback looks. Starting with the previous generation GLC-class platform, AMG’s engineers dropped in an athletic suspension and a 385-hp twin-turbo V-6 engine that delivers on the crossover’s slick, sporty appearance. It’s quick, but not quite as punchy as its chief rival, the BMW X4 M. Still, the GLC43 offers a backroad-loving personality, a plush cabin filled with tech features, and enough power to dust your neighbor when they pull up alongside at the next red light in a standard GLC300.
What’s New for 2023?
The GLC43 Coupe carries over to 2023 with no changes, but we expect this will be the final model year for this generation, as the standard Benz-branded GLC-class SUV has been redesigned for 2023.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Normally we’d recommend the mega-powered GLC63 S model, but since that model has been discontinued, we’re happy to recommend the GLC43 instead. Its turbocharged V-6 still makes it for a compelling automobile. Outside of the AMG-specific performance bits, the GLC43 Coupe has a long list of standard features, such as LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a power liftgate, and a nearly all-digital dashboard. It also comes with a wide array of driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The GLC43’s powertrain is a snarling 385-hp twin-turbo V-6 with a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The V-6 provides more than enough muscle for day-to-day use and makes a fine companion for assertive drivers. In our most recent test, it ran to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. Other competitors in this segment include the Porsche Macan GTS, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and the BMW X4 M, each of which employs a V-6 that makes more power and delivered quicker acceleration. The AMG GLC Coupe rides on an air suspension with adjustable damping, stops with authority thanks to beefy brakes, sticks to the pavement almost like a sports sedan and handles far better than its tall SUV body would have you think.
More on the GLC-Class Coupe SUV
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to the EPA, the GLC43 Coupe puts up 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. On our 200-mile highway fuel-economy loop, the GLC43 Coupe managed 26 mpg. For more information about the GLC-class’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The AMG CLC offers the luxury and comfort you’d expect from a Mercedes. The seating surfaces are supportive, and the front buckets are highly adjustable. High-quality materials abound, and the center console is topped with a modern-looking 10.3-inch touchscreen display. One drawback of the Coupe styling is that the pitched roofline digs into passenger space. People in the front seats have plenty of headroom, but second-row passengers may feel a bit cramped up top. Cargo room suffers as well, as the Coupe offers 18 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet behind the front. Both numbers lag behind the storage space in the X4 M, which measures 19 and 51 cubic feet, respectively. And compared with the squareback GLC, which holds seven carry-on suitcases behind its second row, the Coupe holds only five.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
The GLC’s MBUX infotainment system is displayed on a dash-mounted touchscreen that spans 10.3 inches, and there’s a bit of a learning curve to operate it with ease. If you’d rather not use its touchscreen capability, you can try the touch-sensitive pad near the center armrest or the steering-wheel controls. A six-speaker audio system is standard on the GLC43, as is SiriusXM satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. A 13-speaker Burmester stereo system is optional. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration also come standard.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The GLC Coupe comes with a plethora of safety and driver-assistance features. For more information about the GLC-class’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking Standard blind-spot monitoring Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The warranty offered by Mercedes is right in line with what’s offered by rival manufacturers such as Audi and BMW. Jaguar, however, provides longer coverage than Mercedes.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$71,805 (base price: $63,995)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement
183 in3, 2996 cm3
Power
385 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
384 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 14.2-in vented, cross-drilled disc/12.6-in disc
Tires: Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season RunOnFlat, F: 255/45R-20 105V M+S MOExtended R: 285/40R-20 108V M+S MOExtended
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.1 in
Length: 187.0 in
Width: 76.0 in
Height: 62.4 in
Passenger volume: 100 ft3
Cargo volume: 17 ft3
Curb weight: 4309 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 4.2 sec
100 mph: 10.9 sec
130 mph: 20.4 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.4 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.1 sec
1/4 mile: 12.1 sec @ 108 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 131 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 182 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 355 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.88 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 26 mpg
Highway range: 450 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 21/18/24 mpg
More Features and Specs
