2018 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4MATIC / GLC63 4MATIC

Overview

The German luxury/premium troika of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi have been filling previously undiscovered niches for the last decade, in concert with proliferation of the sport-utility market. That includes transforming their SUVs into tall sports sedans, as Mercedes has with its GLC lineup. The “AMG” designation for its sports-tuner division replaces the “Benz” name for those who want more than a turbocharged four and a comfy luxury sedan ride from their SUV. The Mercedes GLC-class replaced the GLK-class name for 2015, and the AMG GLC 43 went on sale in the U.S. in the 2017 model year, with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 rated 362 horsepower. Still not enough? The GLC 63, which launched in the U.S. in mid-2017 stuffs a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 into its engine bay. Both can be had only with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive, with torque-vectoring for near-sports-car handling capabilities.

What’s New for 2018?

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic came to the U.S. just a model-year ago, with a hefty list of personalization options, so there wasn’t anything substantial to change or update for the 2018. However, in mid-2017, AMG added the twin-turbo V-8-powered GLC 63 4Matic, counting essentially as an all-new model for ’18. The biggest visual clue delineating the GLC 63 from the GLC 43 is the 63’s distinctive Panamericana-style grille, which recalls the Mercedes gullwing race cars that ran the Carrera Panamericana Mexican races of the 1950s.

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Pricing

Original MSRP:

• GLC 43: $57,245
• GLC 63: $70,895

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The GLC 43 is something of a paper-tiger AMG, with a good share of low-key, high-quality sporty design details and a great deal of power and handling enhancements that make it competitive with other premium and luxury brands’ performance SUVs. The GLC 63 is something else altogether, an otherworldly autobahn-pounder that’s a true AMG in the traditional sense. The GLC 43’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 is “AMG-enhanced,” while the GLC 63’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 is hand-built by a single craftsman in AMG’s factory. The GLC 63 also gets AMG’s Speedshift MCT nine-speed automatic—an upgrade from the GLC 43’s nine-speed Gtronic transmission—as well as high-performance braking and a mechanical limited-slip rear differential. Mercedes-AMG performance is a lot like American-style performance, we said upon our first drive, happiest “when moving in a straight line, squatting on its fat rear tires as it rockets through traffic making hellacious noise.” It can corner like a sports car, but mostly thanks to those fat tires rather than to athletic, sports car-like moves. And the performance-tuned ride might be too stiff for some buyers.

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Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Both the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic and GLC 63 4MATIC come with flat-bottom race-car-style leather-covered steering wheels and 5.5-inch diagonal AMG instrument clusters. Sport seats with additional bolstering for lateral support come standard on the GLC 63, optional on the GLC 43. The GLC 63’s aluminum-trimmed touchpad features an AMG Dynamic Select Switch (Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes) and three-stage AMG ride-controls. The GLC line, even the AMG models, are on the entry-level end of Mercedes luxury, however, and both the 63 and 43 come with standard MB-Tex (faux leather) upholstery and dash trim. Overall, their cabins are roomy and well-designed but not especially luxurious, and available upgrades can add up quickly. Cargo volume is a respectably capacious 56.5 cubic feet with the rear seat lowered.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The AMG GLC 43 comes standard with a 7.0-inch color center screen with media interface, SiriusXM radio and Keyless Go, while the GLC 63 upgrades the screen to 8.4 inches and adds a trackpad and COMAND screen. Mercedes’ COckpit MANagement and Data system includes navigation, plus shortcuts for a variety of driver-control features.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

For more information about the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 4MATIC / GLC63 4MATIC’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.