2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43

Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance division’s “43” series so far includes V-6–powered variants of the C-class, the E-class, the SLC roadster, and the GLE-class and GLC-class crossovers. Purists may decry this broadening of the AMG brand—best known for loud V-8 engines, ostentatious styling, and a general sense of excess—as a simple money grab that leverages a hallowed name against a less-performance-oriented subset of buyers. But in the case of the GLC crossover, a sprinkling of AMG’s magic dust takes a competent package and makes it more desirable.

Based on the same platform as the C-class, the GLC heretofore has been offered in the U.S. only as the GLC300 powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Sure, a modern turbo four is perfectly adequate in this size of vehicle, but it’s hard to get excited about 241 horsepower in a 4000-pound crossover. And the standard GLC (and even its more-rakish GLC coupe variant) looks a bit plain—at least its GLK predecessor made its own sort of boxy, rugged style statement.

Mercedes-Benz couldn’t just stand by while the competition continues raising the performance stakes in the compact-luxury-SUV realm. The BMW X3/X4 range offers up to 355 horsepower, the Jaguar F-Pace launched with up to 380 horses, the Audi SQ5 puts out 354 horsepower, and the Porsche Macan rules the roost with up to 400 horsepower. Thanks to AMG’s comprehensive upgrade, the 362-hp GLC43 aims to run with the best of them, and it looks the part, too.

The AMG Touch

It starts with a tasteful style makeover that gives the GLC some much-needed street presence. An AMG body kit and an attractive grille pocked with pinpoints of brightwork make this GLC look a bit more aggressive but not too flashy. The GLC43 also gets a mean-looking stance, especially when viewed from the rear, where chunky-looking 285-series tires wrap around 21-inch wheels (20-inchers are standard).

The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine is a nice piece, too. Although it doesn’t abide by the same “one man, one engine” philosophy as AMG V-8s and V-12s, the V-6 does benefit from a different turbocharger and revised tuning compared with more mainstream applications of this engine. The 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system also is massaged by AMG to provide additional rear bias versus the standard system in the GLC300, here sending a claimed 69 percent of the torque rearward by default.

We especially appreciated the AMG team’s extra effort in the sound department: In Sport and Sport+ modes, the exhaust makes delightful noises on overrun with crackles and pops galore, while the engine note itself is a pleasing growl. In the aforementioned modes, the quick-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission also adopts sportier behavior, downshifting as you brake for a corner and delaying upshifts until you’re right at redline. Paddle shifters flanking the AMG sport steering wheel are standard.

Solid, Sharp, Sporty

On our German route near Mercedes-Benz HQ in Stuttgart, the GLC43 proved solid and capable through twisting sections, with a satisfying heft to the steering and well-tuned settings for the standard air springs. On these relatively smooth and well-maintained roads, we found the ride plush and serene in Comfort mode, while Sport and Sport+ weren’t particularly harsh. We’ll have to see if these qualities carry over when driving on more-broken pavement, but our first experience left us impressed. Despite its higher center of gravity, it’s easy to get the GLC43 into a rhythm through corners, as it has relatively quick turn-in, confidence-inspiring brakes, and lots of lateral grip. It may not be quite as sharp and responsive as the Porsche Macan, which is uncanny in its ability to mimic a sports car, but the GLC43 operates on a similar dynamic level as the sportiest versions of the F-Pace and BMW X3/X4.

And the GLC43’s cabin—like that of the standard GLC300—puts it ahead of these competitors in terms of quality and ease-of-use. With the overall layout and most controls taken directly from the C-class (which we named the best interior under $60,000), the cabin is a pleasant place to spend time, featuring good fit and finish and well-chosen materials. AMG’s updates includes sport seats and red contrasting stitching as standard, while carbon-fiber trim is an option. There is 19 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats—less than you’ll find in the SQ5, X3, and F-Pace, but more than the Macan’s 18. The GLC43 coupe, though mechanically identical to the conventionally styled GLC, trades even more cargo space and rear-seat headroom for its sharply raked rear roofline; some will be drawn to the coupe’s increased exclusivity, but we’d save the extra few thousand dollars it’s likely to command and go for the more spacious standard GLC43.

Starting at $55,825, the GLC43 costs nearly $14,000 more than a GLC300 4MATIC, but at least it includes as standard features such as blind-spot monitoring and proximity entry that are optional on the base car. We wouldn’t call the AMG version a bargain—options including leather upholstery ($1900), a head-up display ($990) and various Premium packages (between $2350 and $5950) can push the sticker well into the $60,000 range—but its pricing is about on par with the competition, save for the Macan, which can run much higher thanks to Porsche’s massive options list.

The GLC43 shows that the AMG division doesn’t have to go all-out to create a performance vehicle that looks and feels more special than its mainstream sibling. And while it won’t blow other crossovers into the weeds (that will be the task of the rumored GLC63), it combines excitement and refinement in a nicely turned-out package. The AMG club may be easier to enter than ever before, but we’ll support such democratization if vehicles like this are the result.

Specifications >

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

BASE PRICE: $55,825

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 183 cu in, 2996 cc
Power: 362 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 384 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 113.1 in
Length: 183.5 in
Width: 76.0 in Height: 64.1 in
Passenger volume: 98 cu ft
Cargo volume: 19 cu ft
Curb weight (C/D est): 4150 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 62 mph: 4.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.4 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.3 sec
Top speed: 130 mph

FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):
EPA city/highway: 19/26 mpg