2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Review

Name: 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Price: 29492 USD

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class AMG GLC 43 4dr SUV Exterior

+315

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is all about smoothness and refinement. It treats you with serene comfort, a high-quality cabin, and impressive technology and safety features. In a group of small luxury all-stars such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Porsche Macan and Volvo XC60, the Mercedes-Benz GLC remains a benchmark.

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Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class model years

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Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class types

SUV
AMG GLC 43

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2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.},

rating written byRyan ZumMallen^{Contributor
Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.}

Pros

Balance of comfort and performance makes it an appealing daily driver
Elegant design gives it a true luxury appearance
Roomy seating for a small luxury SUV
Solid fuel economy from the standard four-cylinder engine

Cons

Less cargo space and towing capacity than competition

What's new

Minor changes to standard feature availability
V8 models dropped for 2022
Part of the first GLC generation introduced for 2016

Overview

Excellence is best demonstrated over time, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC is a testament to that philosophy. Since this current generation debuted back for the 2016 model year, the GLC has been one of our most highly recommended small luxury SUVs. That's quite impressive considering that key rival SUVs either benefit from more recent redesigns (Audi Q5 and BMW X3) or are completely new to begin with (Genesis GV70). For those who favor classic styling and luxury, the GLC is still the one to get.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$221/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

For 2022, there are only minor changes to the GLC, as a fully redesigned model will be released next year. Based on the new-for-2022 C-Class sedan, the 2023 GLC will feature a new interior that seriously steps up the GLC's tech game. Next year's model will also go four-cylinder-only, with high-output AMG models using an advanced hybrid system to produce gobs of power with a minimal hit to fuel economy.

If you can't wait for next year's model — or are simply turned off by the increased emphasis on tech features — we remain impressed by the current model and consider it a great pick. Check out the categories of our Expert Rating to learn more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.2

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the GLC-Class drive? We tested the GLC 300. It has plenty of power for merging onto a highway or making a quick pass on two-lane roads. In our testing, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph took just 5.8 seconds. That's quicker than average for a small luxury SUV with a base four-cylinder engine. (For comparison, an Audi Q5 did 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds.) The GLC's nine-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly.

Maneuverability is another strong point. The steering is light and responsive for around-town purposes. Switch into Sport or Sport+ mode and the steering gains a little more heft, but never at the cost of comfort. Composed suspension tuning and strong brakes round out the GLC's road manners.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the GLC-Class? The GLC has outstanding ride comfort. It ably absorbs bumps and cracks in the road and gives you a feeling of stability and control. This is as refined as it gets for an SUV of this size. The front seats are also quite comfortable and have a wide range of adjustability.

Very little outside noise makes its way inside the cabin, and our test GLC had no creaks or audible rattles. It all contributes to a serene driving experience made extra comfortable by climate control that's quick to activate and easy to control. You can even easily adjust it using your voice through the MBUX infotainment system.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? You'll find the GLC's interior quite roomy. Most of the controls are within reach thanks to a wide range of adjustability in the driver's seat. Getting in and out is easy as well. Rear passengers will be comfortable since there is plenty of space even behind tall drivers. The rear doors don't open as wide as the fronts, however, so access isn't quite as open.

The standard MBUX infotainment system has helpful menus and controls for nearly every function of the vehicle. You can control the system by touchscreen, with a touchpad, with scroll keys on the steering wheel, or even through voice activation. All of these interfaces respond quickly.

Technology

9.0/10

How’s the tech? The 10.25-inch MBUX center screen has vibrant-looking graphics and menus. Integrated navigation and the digital information cluster display cost extra but are perfect complements. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility comes standard, and both boot up quickly. The range and accuracy of the voice control system make this one of the few worth using.

The GLC also has excellent driver assistance features. The adaptive cruise control, for example, maintains a safe yet close following distance from the vehicle ahead and doesn't panic-brake when a vehicle cuts in front of you. This system, combined with the lane keeping system, provides impressive semi-automated driving in highway gridlock. The surround-view cameras are very helpful for parking too.

Storage

7.0/10

How’s the storage? Utility is definitely not the GLC's strong suit. For example, the GLC can only hold 19.4 cubic feet of cargo behind its rear seats, while the BMW X3 can hold 28.7 cubic feet. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds (when properly equipped) compared to the BMW's 4,400 pounds. Small-item storage isn't so great either — there's no great place to store your smartphone.

But the GLC is decent at family duty. The roomy back seat should allow you to easily fit two child safety seats, either boosters or the bulky rear-facing units. The car seat anchor and tether points are easy to find too.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates a rear-wheel-drive GLC 300 (what we tested) gets 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Our testing mostly aligned with that estimate, and we observed 25.8 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route. The more powerful GLC models get lower fuel economy (down to an estimated 18 mpg for the GLC 63).

Value

8.0/10

Is the GLC-Class a good value? The GLC is priced similarly to its competitors and feels every bit a high-quality luxury vehicle. There are premium materials throughout the interior and considerable heft to the controls. The body panels line up with German precision. This airtight build process, plus the addition of standard MBUX infotainment, makes the price seem more than reasonable.

But Mercedes loses points for its warranty, which lags the rest of the class. Sure, competitors such as Jaguar and Infiniti have better offers to make up for the relative lack of prestige, but the GLC is bottom in each category. If Audi and BMW can make a little extra effort for their customers, Mercedes should too.

Wildcard

8.0/10

Mercedes' engineers focused on luxuries that can be enjoyed every single day. The interior design and ride comfort, for instance, immediately stand out. These strengths make it easier to forgive less sexy oversights such as limited cargo space. Stepping into the GLC feels like washing all your worries away. "Fun to drive" may be a stretch, but don't be surprised if you look forward to driving it every chance you get.

Which GLC-Class does Edmunds recommend?

There's no doubt that the base GLC 300 will more than satisfy the vast majority of drivers. Opting for the all-wheel-drive 4Matic will likely make sense for those living in cold and wet climates. No matter the model, we suggest adding the Driver Assistance package for the adaptive cruise control and additional driver aids.

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class models

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC is a five-passenger small luxury SUV offered in three trim levels: GLC 300, GLC 300 4Matic and AMG GLC 43. The model numbers correlate to different engines or outputs but otherwise come with similar standard and optional features. Highlights include:

GLC 300
A well-rounded base model with:

Turbocharged four-cylinder engine (255 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque)
Nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive
LED headlights
Power liftgate
18-inch wheels
Power-folding side mirrors
Keyless entry and push-start ignition
Simulated leather upholstery
Power-adjustable and heated front seats
Driver's seat memory settings
Dual-zone climate control
Household-style power outlet
10.25-inch touchscreen display with Mercedes' MBUX interface
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

Standard advanced driver aids features include:

Forward collision mitigation (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Automatic high beams

GLC 300 4Matic
The GLC 300 4Matic has the same features as above but with all-wheel drive.

AMG GLC 43
A sportier version of the GLC, the AMG 43 comes with:

Turbocharged V6 engine (385 hp, 384 lb-ft)
Sport-tuned all-wheel drive
20-inch wheels
Sport-tuned air suspension (adapts to improve ride comfort and handling)
Customizable ambient cabin lighting
Upgraded interior trim

The GLC offers abundant options, both as stand-alone selections or bundled in packages. Nearly all are available on all four trim levels if they're not already standard. Highlights include:

Driver Assistance package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the GLC and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the GLC back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Enhanced blind-spot monitoring (can steer the GLC to help avoid a collision with a vehicle in your blind spot)
Enhanced collision avoidance braking
Lane change assist (can initiate and execute a lane charge automatically after activating the turn signal for a certain length of time)

Panoramic sunroof
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the GLC and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Leather or upgraded leather upholstery
Ventilated front seats
Heated rear seats
Heated steering wheel
Tri-zone climate control
Wireless charging pad
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Excellent

#4 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class from 2008-2022.}

$624/yr

vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.54x/yr

vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

5.8%

vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.

5 (72%)

4 (15%)

3 (7%)

2 (4%)

1 (2%)

4.5

46 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Well balanced car

Ralph Y, 03/23/2021

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC 300 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

No car is perfect universally because we have different needs. I have a 2018 model and just bought a 2021 for my wife. We have 2 almost identical cars because GLC300 fits our needs perfectly. I’m 6’ and have a kid 5’8”, another kid in a huge car seat, and GLC300 has enough room for our family of four. It’s fast enough for merging and taking over on highway and nimble on local roads, and …

I waited 70 years to buy this vehicle

Old but not dead yet, 09/30/2022

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC 300 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

This is my first Mercedes and I m loving every mile I drive. This is truly an amazing vehicle. “Mercedes me”runs all the technology from my voice commands. All I have to do drive this fabulous vehicle. Comfortable, quiet smooth great sound system . I m blown away with all the features. I test drove all the competitors and this car was the best by far. After driving this car it would be …

Flawless

SAP550, 09/12/2022

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC 300 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

I'm generally a picky consumer and don't often write reviews but felt compelled to share my thoughts here. I owned a C300 before moving to a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a year later, had to get out of it. Naturally, I went back to Mercedes and was between a GLC and GLE. Having a hefty year's depreciation on the Jeep (oops), the GLE was a stretch financially and really offered nothing more to …

2021 not as good as the 2018!

John E., 05/25/2021

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

We have been driving MBs (E, C, SL, GLK, and GLC) since 1986, and always have been happy with our purchases. Looking at all the changes coming up in new cars, we didn't purchase in 2018, we leased a 2018 GLC for 3 years. We loved the car so much that we decided to lease the 2021 when the old lease expired. I don't know if it is because of the pandemic, chip shortage, or what, but this … car is - to us - not as good as the 2018! Both cars were ordered with the AMG night package, specifically to get the oversize cross drilled front disk brakes - never cared about the plastic body trim modifications. The 2021 was advertised in the official order form we filled out at the dealership as having these brakes as part of the night package. Surprise - despite still being advertised at the dealership as having these oversize rotors and calipers, the 2021 came with the standard brakes. ALL the 2021 AMG/Night Packages for 2021 that we saw at the dealership dropped the oversize brakes, but kept the price as if they were included. Bait and switch - if your order form says something is included in the price, it should be there. Of course, the car arrived just as the lease ended on the 2018, so it was shut up and take it, or refuse it and pay $500 at the lease end on the 2018 for not leasing a new one. And MBUSA Leasing was a discourteous mess. After we had the new car, the kept calling us and saying we had missed the final payment on the 2018, had not turned in the car, and threatened our credit rating - despite our offering to send them copies of the paper work showing the turn-in date at the dealership and having made the first lease payment on the 2021!!! We had to threaten legal action if they messed up our credit rating before they would listen - It took a week to straighten out, with no apology or anything from MB Financial. And the surprises kept coming: The rear cargo area floor in 2018 was carpeted fiberglass(?) with a hold open hook and strap, and a foam insulation pad on the bottom, apparently to cut down noise. On the 2021 the strap, hook, and foam pad are missing - on ours, and on all the ones we looked at in dealerships. The 2018 had seat back release buttons on the rear door openings as well as in the cargo area - for 2021 they are missing from the door openings, replaced with a cheap plastic plug that does nothing. And the fuel economy is about 1-2 miles per gallon WORSE on the 2021 than on the 2018, for both hiway and city driving! If you never owned a 2018 GLC, you will love the 2021. If you did, you are going to notice the missing conveniences and essentials - at a higher cost. We ordered the 2021 with the Bermester stereo, and that has been a delight. We also ordered the front window noise insulation, and that seems to cut wind noise on the car. The 2021 seems to ride a bit smoother on all suspension settings than the 2018, maybe they changed tire brands? All told, we still like the car - just not as much as the 2018. But given the treatment by MBUSA financial, and the $2000+ AMG night package rip off in describing something on their order sheet that they never provided, after 35 + years of driving MBs, when this lease ends, so will our relationship with Mercedes.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the GLC-Class since its last redesign.

See all 46 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

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2022 GLC-Class Highlights

Type:

SUV

Trim:

GLC 300

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$43,850
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$221/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the GLC-Class models:

Parktronic with Active Parking Assist: Guides the GLC into an available parking spot with minimal driver assistance.
Pre-Safe Brake with Pedestrian Detection: Alerts the driver if a front collision is imminent and can apply the brakes automatically to lessen the impact. Can also identify pedestrians.
Attention Assist: Measures driver engagement with the vehicle to determine if the driver needs to rest. Alerts the driver via the information display.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover18.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Review

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which GLC-Class does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Well balanced car

I waited 70 years to buy this vehicle

Flawless

2021 not as good as the 2018!

2022 GLC-Class Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}