2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 2021-2022 Review

Much like its larger brethren, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is a product that was designed as a reaction more than an initiative, following in the footsteps of other German brands though offering no less than we have come to expect from the three pointed star. In Malaysia, we currently have three variants of the GLC Coupe – the GLC 300 Coupe AMG Line, Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe and the most recent addition to the GLC Coupe line, the GLC 300e 4Matic Coupe.

The GLC Coupe combines the merits of an SUV and a coupe. The e at the of its name signifies that it is a plug-in-hybrid, where its powertrain is quite a bit more advanced and frugal than the standard GLC 300.

Launched in June,2022, the GLC 300 e 4Matic is the cheapest GLC Coupe you can buy from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia as it enjoys tax incentives due to its electrified powertrain and the fact that it is locally assembled at the company's vehicle assembly facility in Pekan, Pahang.

The plug-in hybrid is visually indistinguishable from its combustion-only counterpart to the point that differentiating them at a quick glance is almost impossible unless you spot the ‘e’ badging and/or plug access door near the rear bumper.

This is in contrast to the current non-coupe GLC, which is available in either a GLC 200 AMG Line or GLC 300 AMG Line. These models are locally assembled, despite representing a relatively small subset of an already minor market segment – a true show of Mercedes-Benz’ commitment to local production. Then again, they’ve been producing the S-Class locally for over a decade, so you could readily say the brand is invested in Malaysian operations.

While the regular GLC SUV comes is the second in its line – its predecessor being the GLK-Class SUV prior to the change in naming convention – the GLC Coupe that you see here today is the first of its kind. It also happens to be the facelifted model for this generation, with the local introduction of this facelift being in late 2019 for the GLC 300 Coupe AMG Line, and late 2020 for the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe, and early 2022 for the GLC 300 e 4Matic

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 2021-2022 Specifications

There are three distinct powertrains that are on offer, across the two variants of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. In the case of the GLC 300 Coupe AMG Line, the engine that beats at its heart is a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that makes 254 hp and 370 Nm of torque. This is paired with the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed conventional automatic transmission that splits power across all four wheels thanks to the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

In the case of the range topping Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe, the powertrain is a more complex and robust twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol unit that makes a hefty 384 hp and 520 Nm of torque. This time it is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission as well, but it is the AMG Speedshift TCT instead of the base 9G-TRONIC. Also as is the case with the GLC 300 Coupe, power is split across all four wheels through the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

While the range topper wears the Mercedes-AMG badge, it is important to remember that it represents a mid-range step up between the regular models and the full-fat Mercedes-AMG 63 models – and in fact prior to the 43 designation, this model would have been called a Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 Coupe. In that sense, it doesn’t necessarily have the more extreme modifications and changes as a “true” Mercedes-AMG product, but it definitely has some of the features and a not inconsiderable amount of performance.

The PHEV GLC Coupe's powertrain is quite a bit more advanced than the standard GLC 300, not to mention more fuel-efficient and way gutsier, using a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and electric motor to produce a system combined output of 320PS and 700Nm of torque.

With a fully prepped battery, Mercedes-Benz claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.7 seconds making it more rapid from a standstill than most hot hatchbacks. Meanwhile, its onboard lithium-ion battery can store enough juice to travel 40km without needing to invoke the combustion engine.

In terms of dimensions, all variants are pretty much the same. It’s 1,890 mm wide, 1,600 mm tall, and 4,731 mm long, with a wheelbase of 2,873 mm – not altogether different from the space in which a regular GLC would occupy, if not ever so slightly shorter in terms of height. In terms of suspension, the GLC 300 Coupe AMG Line and GLC 300e 4Matic Coupe gets a stiffer sport suspension as standard, while the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe gets AMG Ride Control+ air suspension – essentially a combination of adaptive dampers and air suspension.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 2021-2022 Exterior

Between the three variants of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, there isn’t a whole lot to tell them apart – especially as the GLC 300 Coupe AMG Line and its PHEV brother expectedly come with many AMG trim items and fittings that close the gap between it and the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe. Perhaps the largest giveaway would be its large single-slat grille and its dual exit exhausts on the rear diffuser. The wheels are also different items, with the GLC 300 Coupe and GLC300e getting 20-inch AMG five twin-spoke alloy wheels, and the GLC 43 Coupe having 21-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels instead, in a different design as well.

All models get Multibeam LED headlights up front as well as the Night Package – which essentially blacks out most of the chrome trim items for a sportier, more aggressive look. As part of the facelift, the bumpers, grilles, headlights, and taillights are all different from their pre-facelift variants, and fall more in line with Mercedes-Benz most current styling cues.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 2021-2022 Interior

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is nearly identical to that of the regular GLC SUV, and so too is it the same across both variants save for a few minor differences. All models get a piano black finish on the centre stack, with a free-floating infotainment system sitting atop and a full LED display for the instrument cluster.

Surprisingly, the GLC 300 and GLC 300e gets a fancier leather upholstery for the seats, while the GLC 43 Coupe does with Artico leather. As for the steering wheels, the GLC 43 Coupe has a more obvious sporty design and shape, replete with red centre stitching in the 12-o-clock position.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 2021-2022 Safety Features

All variants of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe comes with advanced safety systems as you would expect – items like autonomous emergency braking and lane keeping assist, on top of your regular safety features like electronic stability control and traction control. If these features are common even in the most common mass market cars, you can expect them in luxury products too.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 2021-2022 Strengths & Weakness

The strength of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe lies in the first half of the model name – the GLC. When the GLC SUV was brought into the world, it wasn’t long before people realized what a fantastic and well-engineered product it is, being the perfect balance between luxury and practicality. It was the more family-friendly counterpart to the C-Class.

The GLC300e Coupe adds electrification into the mix which provides the best of both worlds in terms of performance and fuel efficiency. In that sense, the GLC-Coupe’s weakness is that it just doesn’t have as much headroom or storage space as the GLC SUV. For all other intents and purposes, these three products are pretty much identical – and perhaps the fact that for the time being, your only option for an CKD AMG GLC lies in the GLC Coupe range.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 2021-2022 Price

Entry to the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe range doesn’t come cheap, but relative to rivals the pricing is somewhat competitive for the functions that you get. The GLC 300e will set you back RM398,888, while the 300 Coupe AMG Line will cost you RM 426,888. The range-topping Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe will run you RM 538,888. All models are pretty much uncontested at the moment as there isn’t a rival at this price point or equivalent variant. All models are inclusive of a four-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe 2021-2022 Features

The party piece of any modern Mercedes-Benz product has to be the MBUX infotainment system, which allows you to control and configure your infotainment in a variety of intuitive ways. In the case of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, the layout is a bit of a halfway house, not quite being packaged with the massive dual screen setups found in products like the A-Class.