Used 2023 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG GLC Coupe

Whether cutting a dash in the posher parts of town or heading upstate for the weekend, the GLC Coupe could be an ideal choice. Although it has a different roof from its conventional GLC SUV counterpart, which reduces some space for cargo and rear passengers, it retains the much-loved raised driving position.

It also comes with all-wheel drive as standard, and the compact size makes it easy for parking maneuvers. On top of all this, the 2023 GLC Coupe has the kind of design, equipment, and quality that makes every Mercedes-Benz vehicle an object of desire.

While the Mercedes-Benz GLC has been completely redesigned for 2023, the sleeker 2023 GLC Coupe reviewed here is mostly a carryover from 2022. The GLC Coupe switches to the next generation for the 2024 model year.

If it weren’t for the higher driving position, the 2023 GLC Coupe would feel more like a car than something based on an SUV. And not just any old car, but a luxury vehicle with a well-calibrated suspension providing the ideal balance between suppleness and control.

The 255 horsepower in the GLC 300’s engine is easily enough muscle, able to motivate this compact SUV through gaps in traffic and over mountain ranges. The AMG GLC 43’s 385 horsepower is just the right amount of more than enough, a great way to enjoy what the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz is all about without being intimidated.

Both versions of the 2023 GLC Coupe have all-wheel drive, as well as shift paddles mounted behind the steering wheel for those occasions when the driver feels the urge for greater engagement.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of luxury compact SUVs, including this GLC Coupe.

No one ever criticizes a convertible for not having a fixed metal roof. So we’re not going to complain about the reduction in rear headroom and cargo space compared with the GLC SUV. If these aspects are deal-breakers, buyers will be checking out that conventional GLC instead.

Matching the exterior style, the interior of the 2023 GLC Coupe is similarly sleek, with lines drawn carefully, creating elegance by exercising restraint. The 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen stands proud in the center console, complemented by the 12.3-inch digital driver information display.

Space up front is just fine for a compact SUV, with a raised driving position and comfortable seats. Rear legroom of 37.2 inches is a hair less than the GLC SUV, which is more than bearable. And the difference in rear headroom is only about an inch.

Cargo space goes from 17.6 cubic feet behind the 40/20/40 split/folding rear seats to 49.4 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks collapsed. Compare that with the 36.6 to 61.3 cubic feet in the GLC SUV. But like we said, a Coupe buyer will have a different set of priorities. Our main complaint is the pronounced lip when loading things over.

Dynamic Select
This is the name Mercedes-Benz gives to driving mode settings like Comfort, Sport, or Sport+. It’s easy to scroll between them. There’s also a slot for a customized setting according to personal taste. Like having, say, the throttle response in Sport mode, but the steering system in Comfort.

Digital driver information display
This configurable 12.3-inch instrument cluster becomes standard in both versions of the 2023 GLC Coupe.

Hands-free tailgate operation
A luxury vehicle should have plenty of convenience features in addition to comfort and power. This is standard equipment.

Augmented video
The optional navigation system uses a forward-facing camera, whose images are shown on the infotainment display where things like street numbers and direction arrows are superimposed. It feels like the future, as well as reassuring drivers who aren’t sure where the turn is.

Burmester audio
Burmester products are offered in most vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. An excellent 13-speaker/590-watt surround-sound system is available in the 2023 GLC Coupe.

Driver Assistance Package
For $1,700, this bundle brings adaptive cruise control with active steering assistance, evasive steering assistance, automatic braking (if necessary) on ill-advised lane changes and intersection maneuvers, plus various other systems to keep a new GLC Coupe facing the right way.

The 2023 GLC 300 4Matic has a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This is linked to a 9-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD) — known as 4Matic — as standard.

Even though this model is the only 2023 GLC Coupe model to have 4Matic as part of its name, the AMG version comes with AWD as well. It also has a 9-speed automatic transmission, but tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance division to shift gears faster and handle the extra power. A twin-turbocharged V6 endows the 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe with 385 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque.

Premium gasoline is required for each engine.

GLC 300
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
255 horsepower @ 5,800-6,100 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg

AMG GLC 43
3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6
385 horsepower @ 5,500-6,100 rpm
384 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg

More GLC Coupe fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty on a 2023 GLC Coupe is for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical coverage among German luxury marques, with others offering longer powertrain coverage.