the Bucket: Bucket Seat: GLC 300d Coupe

Since the increased interest in the SUV segment over the years, the SUV Coupe or SAV, how some brands are terming them has also garnered more prospective buyers. At first, I was not a fan of these so called coupe sport utility vehicles but as time went by and we've seen designers broaden their visions of these cars, I've begun to take a liking to them myself. At the beginning of the year I was invited by Mercedes-Benz South Africa to drive their second generator of the GLC Coupe at its local launch in Cape Town. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it looked in the metal, as sometimes pictures may be deceiving, the focal point of these Coupe SUV's is the profile and the rear, as many of the first gens to hit the market seemed clumsy, the GLC Coupe however had its proportions spot on and that rear exuded sexiness and sophistication from any angle. I spent a few days with the GLC300d Coupe and having already driven the normal SUV version of the very same engine, I knew exactly what I was in store for in terms of the power delivery but with this Coupe design, I wasn't merely driving a soccer moms car, I was driving a sexy SUV Coupe, here's my thoughts on the second gen GLC Coupe.

DESIGN

It's all about the rear for me, back in 2015 Jennifer Lopez caused a stir when she reportedly insured her butt for $30 million, firstly I didn't know you could insure body parts but granted she has a good looking rear end so one can understand why she would have done that. In retrospect, the GLC Coupe's rear is that good looking that on top of my car insurance I would also just insure the rear end of this car because I think it is worthy of that much! I did cause some controversy on my Twitter/ X channel when I had the car on test by saying this is the best looking rear end in its segment. Many agreed but there were also a few who didn't but then again they didn't understand what I meant by "in it's segment" but the English language isn't for everyone and be that as it is, I still when lined up to the likes of the X4, Q5 Sportback or even for interest sake, the Haval H6 GT, the Merc still wins that sexy booty competition for me. There is the rest of the car to talk about too, the sloping roofline angular lines, give the car a sporty and dynamic appearance. From the front, you're greeted to the prominent front grille and LED headlights which we find on the new C-Class, this adds to the sporty and aggressive look to the GLC Coupe. There are great design details like the chrome-tipped exhaust pipes and the aluminum side step. All of this adds to the sleek and stylish nature of the GLC Coupe which combines the ruggedness of an off-road vehicle with the elegance of a coupe. The interior is a mimic of the standard GLC but with great textures and trims to choose from, this one having the pin-stripe dash which some dubbed "mafia suit spec" but gives the cabin some added details. The AMG kit added to the aggression with the large 20-inch AMG 5-spoke alloy wheels. Overall, a very impressive looking package from the Germans, but how does this engine differ to the normal GLC?

PERFORMANCE

The GLC300d Coupe is considered a formidable executive SUV due to its potent performance, the 300d model is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel hybrid engine that produces 215 kW and 550 Nm of torque. It has a 9-speed automatic transmission and can go from 0-100 kph in 6.12 seconds. The fuel consumption is also relatively low, with a claimed 5.5 L/100 km, but with my heavy foot and the multi-lane highways of Durban, I battled to achieve that figure. While it remains and SUV, there was a sporty feel about the ride set up. The bulky rear felt more grounded that the normal GLC SUV, and as a result allowed me to be more aggressive with it on the roads. The 500Nm of torque were always ready on demand, be it at a standing start or when overtaking on the roads, the car delivered power on demand and thanks to that smart hybrid system which adds an additional 17kW on top of the 198kW which the engine produces, there was no lag what-so-ever. What works really well for me is the 9-speed automatic gearbox, it's so on the ball with gear changing, even when braking, the down changes are cool and calculated which aids in the fuel economy. Top speed of the GLC300d is limited to 249km/h, but achieving that speed would be a stretch given its design and nature being an SUV, that being said it reaches 0-100km/h time of 6.12 seconds. The GLC Coupe is by no means nimble in nature, but at the same time it didn't feel bulky either, maneuvering GLC Coupe was pretty easy, the steering feels light, and with the big tyres and turning tight turning circle it works well in both high speeds and low speeds.

COMFORT

The focal point of the interior is the 10.25-inch infotainment screen, it's really difficult not to notice it when seated in any part of the cabin. The high-definition display which projects mobile apps wirelessly is part of the new interior design language from the brand and will see it expanded into other models as well. The cabin is neatly laid out, with the increase in ride height, the cabin height is increased too, that means getting in and out of the car is quite comfortable for anyone. If you are vertically challenged, that is where the aluminium side step comes in handy. There are loads of storage compartments in the GLC coupe, the center storage is deep enough to store bottle of white and it has two USB C ports for charging devices and a wireless charging tray. The cup holders have a neat cover which closes to give off a nice finish to the center. The car is tech-savvy with the latest MBUX infotainment system that is highly intuitive and user-friendly. The Mercedes-Benz AI voice assistant is ever ready to help with any command, or if you just feel like asking it random questions, you can do that too. The cabin has dual-zone climate control with twin vents in the rear for the second row passengers, was disappointed to note there was no USB ports for them to charge their devices. The sloping roof line doesn't impact the headroom at the back though, so one doesn't have to duck when getting in. Having the AMG kit, the car came with the twin-spoke multi-function steering wheel with haptic controls. It's the 3rd time having it in a test car and I'm still very confused as to how to use it properly. It just feels a bit much to me and hopefully in the future they can dumb it down. The panoramic sunroof is a welcomed addition to a car like this, I love the look it gives from the outside and with all that natural light coming into the cabin, it makes it quite an enjoyable space to be in. The sound system didn't wow me, I heard better sound from their counterparts from their entry level speakers.

VERDICT

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe boasts cutting-edge technology, including a user-friendly infotainment system, mild-hybrid powertrains, and advanced driver assistance systems. The optional Tech Package offers additional features like air suspension and active rear-axle steering. With its sleek design and luxurious interior, the GLC Coupe is a compelling choice for those seeking a technologically advanced and stylish SUV. The interior is also more luxurious and tech-savvy, spacious and luxurious with premium materials, advanced technology, and comfortable for seating for five passengers.The drive is fun and what you would expect from the brand, the 300d engine is the one for me, and that hybrid tech with the diesel motor is a synergy made for the open road. I would buy this car based on the looks lone, especially that rear end but thankfully there are more reasons to make you want to purchase this car too.