The Equaliser reviews and drives the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC

In brief Driven by a Mercedes-Benz GLC of the second generation.
increases the power of the GLC 300 turbo-petrol model.
'Transparent Bonnet' camera view debuts.
launch price for the GLC 300 variant is Rs 73.5 lakh (ex-showroom), and a diesel option is also available.

With over 13,000 customers, the GLC has completely changed the game for Mercedes, especially in the luxury SUV market, making it the best-selling luxury SUV for the company. The SUV is the brand's second-highest selling model in India, right behind the E-Class, and there are strong reasons for this. A premium SUV that manages to integrate into the urban environment and still stand out while still being great for a variety of lifestyles. It is just the correct size to avoid seeming like an entry into the Mercedes family like the GLA and to avoid starting to get too enormous like the GLE.

After an eight-month absence from Mercedes' India lineup, the second generation GLC is back, and the automaker notes that there was significant customer demand for the model during that time. These potential GLC buyers will now receive a new, updated appearance that is more rounded than the model it replaces. The new LED headlights, grille, reworked rear taillamps, and general appearance of the 2017 GLC—which now appears softer yet more stately—are where the design changes are most noticeable. There are currently no AMG-line enhancements available for the SUV, but the new 19-inch wheels improve the appearance even further. The SUV also experiences an overall rise of 60mm.

The inside of the GLC contrasts the exterior's modest elegance with its sumptuous appearance. This cabin exudes a sense of quality that Mercedes has maintained throughout the various elements of the interior, thanks in part to the wooden dashboard trim with pinstriping, the aluminum trims around the window controls, the solid clicks of the air conditioning vent controls, the general feel and touch of materials, and many other such small details. For all your road trip needs, there is a wireless charger in the center console along with plenty of storage and USB-C ports, and the longer overall length of the vehicle has added 70 liters to the boot's expandable storage.

The 11.9-inch infotainment system, which has a variety of menus and a number of in-car features, works nicely with the 12.3-inch customizable and aesthetically pleasing instruments. The fascinating thing about the front seats is that they just have heating functions and no massaging functions. However, Mercedes' Seat Kinetics somewhat makes up for this by periodically making small modifications to reduce tiredness. The infotainment system has a specific off-road display that provides different metrics like gradient angle, roll angle, etc. However, a novel addition is the 'Transparent Bonnet' camera mode that makes the landscape beneath the front wheels visible when it isn't normally. However, they will be seated comfortably with plenty of head and leg room. Rear seat passengers just receive air conditioning vents and no designated air conditioning zone. For the GLC

Driving the 2017 GLC is an additional experience worth discussing, particularly given the more potent four-cylinder turbo-petrol beneath the hood of the GLC 300 variant we've had a chance to test drive for our review. The end result is a boost of 61bhp in horsepower and an increase of 80Nm in torque, which is more than enough for a passenger car and even feels better than the GLC 200 that this car replaces. Additionally, the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) offers a temporary push of up to 200Nm, which helps the GLC register an extremely remarkable acceleration time of 6.2 seconds for a sprint from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour. And it felt fast enough to navigate Hampi's gorgeous twisting roads. The GLC has good poise and stability as well.

The GLC can also travel across tough terrain off the beaten path to fuel your explorations, though not through particularly challenging barriers. A car in this category is essentially a soft-roader, but that doesn't mean that you can't have any fun off-road with it. The 'Transparent Bonnet' is a new off-road feature from Mercedes that can be engaged through the infotainment system and displays a glimpse of the ground below that would otherwise be obscured by the bonnet. The front and side cameras were used to stitch together this image, which is then displayed on the infotainment system. However, the image quality might be improved to allow for clearer visual interpretation.