Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 Coupe review: Goodbye four, hello six

As far as automotive risks go, Mercedes-AMG took a pretty big one when it replaced the V8-engined C 63 S and GLC 63 S with a plug-in hybrid turbocharged four-cylinder

Stricter European emissions regulations are resulting in increasingly smaller and hybridised engines, and while those models are quicker than ever, many AMG fans – and buyers – instantly turned off at the thought of a four-cylinder GLC in the lineup. Affalterbach clearly listened, however, and recently replaced both the mild-hybrid 43 and plug-in hybrid 63 S four-pot models with a new inline six-cylinder 53.

So is the new GLC 53 enough to erase the memory of the four-cylinder GLC 63 S?

Our first taste of the new GLC 53 comes in North America, driving from Detroit through Michigan and up to St Joseph Island in Canada.

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Like the GLC 43 and 63 S models it replaces, the GLC 53 is available in both SUV and coupe bodystyles. It’s the coupe we’re testing here but other than rooflines, there’s nothing to split the two body styles, the choice coming down to personal preference.

Australian pricing for the Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 starts at $140,600 plus on-road costs for the SUV and $151,300 +ORC for the coupe. That’s a $2000 premium over the outgoing GLC 43 but a full $51,700 more affordable than the old GLC 63 S. In SUV form, it’s $9200 more expensive than the BMW X3 M50, its nearest rival.

Making 330kW and 600Nm with a brief 17kW/40Nm overboost function available under hard acceleration, the new 3.0-litre inline six in the GLC 53 is 20kW/100Nm gruntier than the former 43, but 170kW and up to 420Nm less potent than the 63 S. As for the 0-100km/h sprint, its 4.2 second time is 0.7 seconds slower than the 63 S but 0.3 seconds quicker than the 43. 

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In that sense, the GLC 53 is more a replacement for the GLC 43 and not the 63 S, but it’s still fast enough to satisfy. It’s less highly strung than the four-cylinder units it replaces, but it’s effectively punchy throughout the rev range. It also sounds great, with a real deep bark, especially at higher revs. 

Switching to the inline-six has also improved fuel consumption, the GLC 53’s 9.6L/100km combined rating officially 0.4L/100km less than the 43. In the real world, we  saw 8.5L/100km on our road trip, mostly travelling at speeds of around 120km/h on the freeway.

No longer encumbered by the plug-in hybrid system of the old GLC 63 S has p[aid dividends in the new 53’s ride and handling, though there’s still some work to be done.

At 2092kg (tare), the GLC 53 weighs 241kg less than the 63 S, making it feel lighter from behind the wheel, but there’s still a tech tour de force behind the scenes to make sure it handles like an AMG should. 

Highlights include active anti-roll bars, active four-wheel steering and adaptive dampers that work well in masking the GLC’s mass in the corners. AMG has also retuned the suspension and added a mechanical torque-vectoring rear differential that can allow for drifting thanks to the new rear-drive drift mode. We didn’t try the latter, of course, but it’s there if you want it. 

What this all means is that the GLC 53 has the goods to deliver a properly decent driving experience. It is, in short, a great-handling sports SUV. It’s quick to turn in, grips very well thanks to AMG’s 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system and even offers a bit of tail happiness. On a good, smooth stretch of road, it’s a riot.

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We highlight the use of ‘smooth’ here because on anything but the smoothest of road surfaces, the GLC 53 is just too firm. Even the pavement cracks of the I-75 freeway in Michigan made their presence felt in the cabin more than we’d liked, and that was using the softest damper mode. On the Canadian side of the border with even worse road quality, the GLC’s ride became somewhat tiring. Its body control is sharp, but a bit more forgiveness through the suspension would be appreciated. 

In North America, 20-inch wheels are standard. Our test car sat on optional 21s which are fitted as standard on Australian-delivered cars.

There’s nothing wrong with the braking prowess as the four-piston front/single-piston rear fixed calipers are quite strong with progressive and reassuring feel through the pedal. The steering feels fine, though it’s not particularly communicative. 

Elsewhere, the GLC 53 is, well, a GLC and that means it’s one of the best luxury mid-size SUVs you can buy. Cabin quality, as you would expect of a Mercedes-Benz, is top notch with high quality materials throughout.

Despite the lack of physical buttons, in-car tech is easy to get used to. The touch capacitive buttons on the steering wheel are a touch frustrating, however, and are easy to accidentally brush when turning the wheel. There’s also a plethora of piano black trim, so best to keep a cloth handy.

As for practicality, the GLC 53 – even in coupe form – offers up the goods. Its 545-litre boot capacity is decent and although the boot floor is actually surprisingly high, there’s a massive under-floor storage area that literally doubles its capacity. The boot also features handy tricks like remote releases for the rear seats, hooks, side storage and tie-down points. Rear seat headroom is not great for this six-foot writer – we’d definitely recommend the SUV – but rear legroom is fine.

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The Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 isn’t as noteworthy as the 63 S it replaces, and that’s a good thing. The old GLC 63 S’s four-cylinder hybrid system, as good as it was, strayed too far from AMG’s philosophies.

The 53’s new inline six is much better suited to the AMG badge. While it’s not as fast, it feels more relaxed, and shaves 241kg of weight aiding the handling. It sounds better too.

We still mourn the loss of the V8 of the previous-generation GLC, but it’s clear that AMG’s return to the drawing board has paid dividends, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 an excellent performance SUV.

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Specs