The 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC is a refined and classy vehicle, which still manages to maintain a sporty feel while you drive on the road. The GLC model comes with two high-performance versions and one mainstream car, which is focused on giving you a stylish design.
The GLC is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes this vehicle drive quickly. It also has a square back exterior design, and other impressive features. Let’s take a closer look.
Overview
The 2021 model year of the GLC line-up comes with more standard and standalone features, like the hands-free entry, rear cross-traffic alert, and self-parking function on all models. The available paint colors remain the same, but Mercedes added the Cirrus Silver choice. The GLC300 is the cheapest trim line, with an automatic high beam assist and a 360-degree camera system. The other trim lines include the GLC300 4Matic and GLC350e.
Characteristics
Power and Performance
The 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission, as the standard choice. This engine type offers 255 horsepower, and the default setup is rear-wheel drive. The optional choice is the 4matic, which is an all-wheel drive. The GLC350e trim line also comes with a plug-in hybrid model.
The engine of this 2021 GLC offers a smooth and quiet ride, although it is not as sporty and fierce as other competitors like the Porsche Macan.
Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo
You’ll be attracted by the design and quality of the 2021 Mercedes Benz interior, which ensures that you remain comfortable during the drive. The GLC comes with luxurious equipment in the interior, with heated cushions, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control and other luxurious choices.
You can also upgrade the 2021 GLC to get a head-up display, ventilated front seat, leather surfaces, and heated rear seats. But, when it comes to the interior and cargo, there is limited space available. Although the cargo space is wider when you fold the back seat, it is still not a lot.
As for the infotainment system, Mercedes gives you a versatile design with modern features and control inputs. It comes with a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen and touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. The center console comes with an intuitive touchpad, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Fuel Economy
If your focus is fuel economy, the GLC has the plug-in hybrid version available to you. The GLC350e has this engine version and offers an impressive electric driving range of 22 miles and a total MPGe rating of 68. The GLC300 on the other hand is powered by gas, with fuel economy ratings of 22mpg in the city and 29mpg on the highway. If you get the all-wheel drive, the ratings drop by 1mpg each.
Warranty and Maintenance
Mercedes Benz provides impressive warranty coverage on the vehicles in the GLC class, but it does not have the complimentary maintenance that is offered by BMW and Jaguar. Asides from this, the limited and powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles.
Price
The most affordable trim line in this series is the GLC300, which costs $44,250. This model offers the perfect balance of top-notch standard features and becomes even better when you combine it with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The GLC300 has a host of desirable features, but they become even better when you use the Leather Seating package.
The other trim levels are the GLC300 4Matic and GLC350e, which cost respectively $46,195 and $53,000.
Is 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC Reliable?
The 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC is a pretty reliable vehicle, and has a predicted reliability score of 77 out of 100 by J.D. Power Rating, although you should know that it would be expensive to maintain. But if you maintain it well and drive it constantly, you can drive it for over a decade without needing any major repairs.
Safety
The 2021 GLC has not yet been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The previous version was not named the Top Safety Pick by the latter’s test too. Despite this, the 2021 Mercedes GLC comes with different standards and optional driver assistance technology and safety features.
The standard features are forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, while the optional choices are lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.
What People Are Saying About the 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC
The 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC has received different reviews based on their experience, and luckily, there are more pros than cons. The vehicle is praised for offering comfort and high performance, with a fuel economy-friendly alternative that you can benefit from. The elegant design is also well-liked among drivers, which completes the luxury and classy look. The interior offers sufficient room in the back seat for adults, although the cargo space is not so great.
On the downside, the GLC features limited cargo space and weak towing capacity than other competitors. There also isn’t any complimentary maintenance, so it makes it more expensive to take care of the car. Even if it is a reliable vehicle, it can only be so when you take care of it.
Competitors
The 2021 Mercedes Benz GLC has alternatives based on the plug-in hybrid and normal engine option. The electrified alternatives include the Volvo XC60 T8 and BMW X3 xDrive30e. The Porsche Macan has a sportier feel than the GLC, while the BMW X3 provides more cargo space.
