Interior

If you put the brand's C-class sedan up on a higher suspension then you have the GLC-class, a capable luxury SUV crossover that features the first-class interior of its sedan forerunner. The expanded dimensions have improved the rear-seat room, while still remaining rather snug. The carryover of many of the same plush upholstery from the previous year in the very quiet cabin is quite appealing. The seating is as comfortable as you expect from the brand, and the interior is satisfactorily quiet- providing the final proof that this is a real honest to goodness Mercedes- in case the high stance and low price had shaken your confidence. The high quality of the GLC's cabin materials and the exquisite nature of the interior design flow are consistent with the brand's sterling reputation.

Technology

There's plenty of standard tech, including the adaptive suspension, and the keyless ignition just to name a couple of examples. The GLC300 engine delivers 241-hp in a 2.0-liter motor mated with a paddle-shift nine-speed automatic and rear drive transmission with all-wheel drive available. The GLC shares its suspension and drive train components with the C-Class sedan, though its track and wheelbase widths are larger. All of the GLC300s measure 4.7 inches greater in length and 2.0 inches wider than last year's offering. More accommodating rear seating and an expanded cargo area are welcome changes, and all of this comes without the expected penalty of added weight. The GLC300 standard and the GLC300 4MATIC, in fact, both weighed 275 and 128- respectively- less than the equivalent 2013 GLKs of four years ago. The drive train as well, reflects the industry's current collective thinking with another 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo, with exactly 241 horsepower. This replaces the GLK350's V-6 3.5-liter, which generated 302 horsepower.

Performance

The 241-hp, 2.0-liter turbo engine with its four cylinders generates plenty of power and is linked to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Unlike other nine-speeds, this one works atypically smoothly. It rides at least as comfortably as you should expect from a Mercedes-Benz and performs with a satisfying degree of athleticism. The early-arriving torque the turbocharged engine delivers an extra power boost really helps the GLC300 to reach 60 mph in 6.0 seconds.

Safety

The automatic emergency braking comes standard, but the other safety equipment such as the blind-spot monitoring and the brand specific cross-traffic alert come in a range of trim options.

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