Mercedes best selling SUV GLC300..Why it's selling consistently
May 25, 2025
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Its popularity in Korea has also been steady. The second-generation model started delivery in July 2023 in Korea. It has been showing high sales from the beginning of its launch to the present. As of March 25, it was ranked fourth in the sales of imported cars. It is showing the second highest popularity after E-class among Mercedes-Benz's total sales.
Where does this steady popularity factor come from? I met a test drive with this curiosity. The test drive is the best-selling 3004 Matic AMG line among GLC. GLC has three major power trains in Korea.
There are three types: 220d with a 2.0-liter diesel engine, 300 for a 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine, and 421 horsepower AMG 434. The 300 with a gasoline turbo engine is the most popular.
First of all, the front with a large Mercedes-Benz-like grill shows that it is confident. Like the AMG line, Mercedes' triangle star logo is located in the center of the grill, and the triangle star shape is decorated closely around it to show pride in Mercedes' logo.Bumper and air intake shapes are also sportier. It shows the family look properly in the form that AMG line likes to use.
Unlike the latest trends, large headlights instead thinly apply LED daylights to the top to add a sleek feel. There are many reasons for the popularity of GLC, but I think it is the front part of the Bentdown design and the design heritage that comes from its long history. Even if a logo that is several times larger than a competitor is applied, it is confident that it is not awkward at all, and this confident design is gaining popularity from many people, especially domestic consumers.
Like the front, the side part is mainly soft curves. Although it is an SUV, it shows a soft image by applying a rich curve like the E-Class, a sedan model, and it is also characterized by not looking larger than the actual size.
The wheel is also luxurious in the form of a so-called wagon wheel and multi-spoke that Mercedes Benz enjoys. It is a design that emphasizes tradition rather than a trendy feeling.
The rear part has a curved surface. Separate taillamps with simple curves like Mercedes-Benz were worn on both sides without using connected style taillamps, which are very popular. The light-emitting shape is also applied with a curved surface, so it is not intense, but it is a calm impression.
When you board the interior, you will notice a good grip steering wheel. Perforated leather was used widely. It is similar to the one applied to a number of Mercedes-Benz, including the recent test-drive of Volkswagen and E-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz Triangle logo of the steering wheel is also several times larger than other brands.It can be seen that Mercedes has great pride in its history and logo. The grip is good and the design is great.One disappointment is that there are too many buttons located in the shape of a double spoke shaped like a dragonfly's wing. The sense of operation is also far from luxurious.
This is the same for the side mirror adjustment button and the center physical button including the emergency light. Since each button is pressed together without physically separating it, it is generally regrettable in the sense of operation.
In addition, the vertical display that resembles the S-class, the three air conditioning units, and the overall dashboard design come like a model that presents a standard for domestic consumers who like colorful interiors.
The seat adjustment part coated with semi-light chrome is applied to the door trim in the traditional way of Mercedes. In addition to operability, it adds a spoonful of Mercedes-Benz tradition to the high-quality interior.
The legroom in the second row space is adequate. In particular, the foot space is designed to be quite relaxed, allowing more convenient rides. There are quite a few vehicles that simply have a large legroom but narrow foot space. If you often pick up your family in the second row, you will be satisfied.
I hit the start button to start the drive. It is characterized by a very large start button compared to competing vehicles. The fact that the auto-stop button is located together also differentiates it from other vehicles.
Many consumers who hate the auto-stop function sometimes look for this button when they ride a vehicle. GLC doesn't have to look for a button even if it's the first time in a car.
The engine is a 2.0-liter gasoline turbo. A nine-speed automatic transmission matches. It has a maximum output of 258 horsepower and a maximum torque of 40.8 kgf.m. It is a suitable force to lead the weight of the tolerance of 1915. Zero-back is also 6.2 seconds, which is not high-performance, but there is no shortage.
Organ-type accelerator sense is a little heavy compared to competitors. However, if you apply a little force, it will quickly accelerate the vehicle smoothly. The shift impact was significantly reduced at low speed compared to the existing model. Instead, it tends to be comfortable rather than dynamic.
The suspension is generally soft. The ride comfort of bumps and general roads is easy. However, when you encounter an unexpectedly rough road surface, you tend to stand out a little. Some vehicles offset the impact well when it is slightly swollen or when the road surface is poor. GLC seems to have a rough feeling of absorbing shock rather than anticipation. If you put ride comfort first when choosing a car, I recommend a test drive to see if the ride is appropriate.
There are four main drive modes. It's off-road, comfort, sports, and eco. In general situations, comfort best matches the vehicle orientation. If you turn it into a sport, the engine sounds like caranca. Unlike the sporty tone, the feeling of acceleration does not rise dramatically. It would be better to see that it changes to a sporty sense.
Driving assistance is also as easy as the second-generation ADAS. Keep the center of the vehicle well, and when using an adaptive cruise, it provides satisfaction through smooth deceleration even when maintaining a distance from the car in front of it.
The most satisfying test drive is the brake. Even when decelerating after rapid acceleration, it reduces the speed of the vehicle as neatly as the driver wants. I liked the most about the acceleration, ride comfort, and brake tests because there was no anxiety and the reliability was high.
After the test drive, the popularity factors of GLC can be summarized as follows. There is no such thing as intense charm or sporty performance, but it gives above-average satisfaction in every way. It is satisfactory in many ways, including luxurious and easy-to-like design, moderate acceleration, good brakes, and easy riding.
You might be disappointed if you're pushing your car a little rough, or if you want sportsmanship. In other words, the fact that it is a family SUV that can drive comfortably and feel moderate luxury rather than a vehicle for enthusiasts is a factor in the popularity of GLC selling steadily.
a line review
Advantages - Design, Advanced, Performance Versatile
Disadvantages - a bit of a lack of ride considering the price point..vary greatly depending on the condition of the road surface
Editor Song Moon-cheol mc.song@carguy.kr
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
