Overview
AMG illustrates luxury with speed and space using the next-gen GLC43 Coupe. To give it car-like reflexes, the compact SUV is powered by the 416-hp turbocharged inline-four engine from the CLA45 sedan. A nine-speed automatic transmission handles shifting, and every GLC43 Coupe comes with all-wheel drive. Its sporty fastback roof does give up some of the cargo space found in boxier SUVs, but its style fits its performance-minded intentions. For a bigger SUV experience with a similar scoot, there’s the GLC-Class SUV we review separately. The GLC Coupe’s plush cabin uses materials and gadgetry you’d expect in a luxury SUV, including a massive infotainment screen, although that system can offer too many menus and options at times.
What’s New for 2024?
The GLC43 Coupe enters a new generation for 2024. New looks accompany an interior with an even larger digital display, and the updated powertrain—which replaces the outgoing V-6 with a turbocharged inline-four—gives the GLC43 Coupe a bump in horsepower and torque. A 671-hp GLC63 S E Performance plug-in hybrid joins the lineup for 2025.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
There’s only a single trim level available for the GLC43 Coupe. Its turbocharged inline-four makes plenty of power. Outside of the AMG-specific performance bits, the GLC43 Coupe has a long list of standard features, such as LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a power liftgate, and a nearly all-digital dashboard. It also comes with a wide array of driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The GLC43’s powertrain is a snarling 416-hp turbocharged inline-four with 369 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic (with a clutch pack in place of the torque converter shifts gears) and all-wheel drive are both standard. The updated inline-four brings a 31-hp upgrade from last year’s V-6-powered GLC43. The torque split between the axles is rear-biased, providing 39 percent to the front and 61 percent to the rear. We haven’t sampled the GLC43 with this beefier powertrain yet, but the less-powerful engine managed a smooth 4.2-second sprint to 60 mph. Other competitors in this segment include the Porsche Macan GTS, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and the BMW X4 M, and all three employ turbocharged V-6s that make more power and deliver quicker acceleration. The AMG GLC Coupe has adaptive dampers, it stops with authority thanks to beefy brakes, and it handles far better than its SUV body would have you think. For those with devilish curiosities, the top speed of the GLC43 is limited to 155 mph.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn’t published its estimates for the 2024 GLC43 Coupe, but we’ll update this space when that information is available. The previous and less-powerful model earned an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. On our 200-mile highway fuel-economy loop, the 2023 GLC43 Coupe managed 26 mpg. For more information about the GLC-class’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The AMG GLC offers the luxury and comfort you’d expect from a Mercedes. The seating surfaces are supportive, and the front buckets are highly adjustable. High-quality materials abound, and the center console is topped with an enormous vertical infotainment touchscreen. One drawback of the Coupe styling is that the pitched roofline digs into passenger space. People in the front seats have plenty of headroom, but second-row passengers may feel a bit cramped up top. Cargo space has increased over the last-gen GLC Coupe, but only slightly. And compared with the squareback GLC, which holds seven carry-on suitcases behind its second row, the Coupe holds only five.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The GLC’s MBUX infotainment system is displayed on a dash-mounted touchscreen that’s massive and vertically oriented, but there’s a bit of a learning curve to operate it with ease. If you’d rather not use its touchscreen capability, you can try the touch-sensitive pad near the center armrest or the steering-wheel controls. The GLC43 has SiriusXM satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration also come standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The GLC Coupe comes with a plethora of safety and driver-assistance features. For more information about the GLC-class’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The warranty offered by Mercedes is right in line with what’s offered by rival manufacturers such as Audi and BMW. Jaguar, however, provides longer coverage than Mercedes.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
