Written by Marco Carvajal
Photographs by Marco Carvajal
The 2020 Mercedes Benz AMG GLC43 is a Luxury Compact SUV. It is powered by a powerful AMG-enhanced 3.0L V6 biturbo engine that produces 385 HorsePower @ 6,100 rpm, giving you access to any road and any adventure on board the GLC 43.
Besides power and luxury, one of the highlights is the advanced MBUX infotainment system that makes the AMG GLC43 a very smart car.
The AMG GLC43 is a performance SUV priced at $59,500 MSRP. A great low price for a luxury premium SUV with the high quality and performance of AMG Mercedes Benz. With this good pricing for such great SUV, the 2020 Mercedes Benz AMG GLC43 SUV is one step ahead of its competitors. Mercedez Benz can compete and perhaps win again most luxury compact SUVs when comparing pricing, luxury, technology and power.
The AMG GLC 43 is supercharged with a quick-shifting 9-speed transmission and a V6 biturbo engine, but just in case that is not enough, it also includes 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC includes a lot of new technology and a new fresh aerodynamic design. Air suspension makes the ride soft and comfortable even on rough roads.
New for 2020
For 2020 the new GLC 32 SUV includes Mercedes-AMG performance and style. The GLC includes several enhancements like new LED headlights and taillights, new front and rear bumpers, and a redesigned grille.
A more aerodynamically efficient shape, along with the new AMG-specific grille, the new exterior lights, the stylish front bumper, and round twin-tailpipes create great style on the exterior appearance of the 2020 GLC 43 SUV.
The new model comes with better performance and precise driving with the powerful combination of the new rear-biased AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, the AMG DYNAMICS agility control system, and the responsive AMG SPEEDSHIFT® TCT 9G transmission. Among many other features this luxury SUV includes ECO Start/Stop system and more.
On the inside, the GLC 43 provides a greater amount of space for passengers and luggage. It doesn’t feel like a compact SUV, it feels bigger.
Parallel to great performance and mechanical features, it also includes a comprehensive range of safety features to keep everybody safe on board this SUV.
Advanced MBUX Infotainment System Standard
One of the more important enhancements for the new 2020 GLC 43 SUV is the latest version of the MBUX infotainment system, with AMG-specific advanced functions and displays. MBUX is standard included with no additional charge. The modern MBUX infotainment system includes an innovative interface that enhances and optimizes the GLC 43 on several aspects to produce an amazing Mercedes-Benz user experience.
The MBUX includes a new cockpit control with a lot of innovation. MBUX integrates digital in-dash displays including a touchscreen, touch-sensitive controls, Bluetooth hands-free, and audio streaming, and an available industry-advancing voice control system that responds to your everyday speaking voice and phrasing of commands. You can set up multiple user profiles of favored settings, and groups of settings can be saved as themes or moods, easily accessible at your dashboard.
MBUX Infotainment Advanced Voice Control
The latest version of the MBUX infotainment system further enhances the driving experience for everyday use and establishes a great connection between vehicle, driver, and passengers. MBUX can be operated via the touchpad, touch control buttons on the steering wheel, or by voice control.
The ultra advanced voice control can be activated with the words “Hey Mercedes”. Thanks to artificial intelligence, MBUX recognizes and understands nearly all sentences from the fields of infotainment and vehicle operation, even if they are expressed indirectly.
The driver receives visual information through the 12.3-inch instrument cluster on the left and the 10.25-inch touchscreen display on the right. With the three AMG-specific display styles of “Classic”, “Sport” or “Supersport”, the vehicle functions are customized to your favorite look.
The widescreen color display with a multitouch interface makes it easy to access tons of features, including audio, MB Navigation, phone, and vehicle settings. In addition to the three input methods of the standard screen (touchscreen, console touchpad, and Touch Control steering wheel). It also responds to the advanced voice control by saying “Hey, Mercedes.”. For easy management you can save groups of settings as themes and moods.
2020 Mercedes Benz AMG GLC43 SUV Highlights:
- 5 Passenger capacity
- MBUX infotainment system
- AMG-enhanced 3.0L V6 biturbo Engine
- 385 hp @ 6,100 rpm Power
- AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed Automatic transmission
- 17.6-56.5 cu ft Cargo capacity
- 4.7 seconds 0-60 mph Acceleration
- AMG Sport Braking System
- AMG Sport Exhaust System
Price
- 2020 Mercedes Benz AMG GLC43 SUV $59,500
Fuel Economy
- 21 MPG Average City/Highway
- City 18 MPG / Highway 24 MPG
Competition
Compact luxury SUVs are in a very competitive market. Automakers must try to provide solutions for all the practical needs of SUV buyers, like greater cargo space, passenger space, safety features, towing capacity, comfort, interior quality, and high-tech features.
In a group of small luxury players like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Porsche Macan, and Volvo XC60, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 43 SUV remains a key player with several advantages again its competitors. GLC improvements for 2020 like the MBUX infotainment, keep it one step ahead of its peers.
Performance Ready AMG-enhanced 3.0L V6 Biturbo Engine
A 385-hp 3.0L V6 biturbo engine features numerous AMG enhancements for instant response. Increased turbo boost puts its 384 lb-ft of torque on tap from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm, for a 0-60 time of just 4.7 seconds. Rapid-multispark ignition and high-pressure Direct Injection act with millisecond speed. Beneath its red engine cover, a lightweight diecast-alloy block, variable valve timing, and reduced friction further raise efficiency and performance.
Maximizing performance of the new AMG GLC43 SUV, Mercedes Benz has included great features like NANOSLIDE cylinder wall technology and AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
The cylinder walls of the diecast aluminum block are created in a special patented AMG process for better performance, efficiency, and durability. This technology reduces the weight of cylinder liners, the bores and lightweight forged pistons are matched with even greater dimensional precision, more power, and longer service life.
AMG has developed a new version of 4MATIC that creates a completely new and better all-wheel-drive system. This new 4MATIC produces an ideal balance of power delivery under hard acceleration and when coming out of corners. While using Sport driving mode, Dynamic Cornering Assist further helps to prevent unwanted understeer.
AMG Performance 4MATIC enhances grip and acceleration producing better performance.
Interior Design
The interior of the GLC 43 gives a sense of solidity and refinement, a well-coordinated vehicle that is very comfortable, typical of a Mercedes Benz. The combination of smoothly contoured surfaces, beautiful veneers, just the right amount of nautical, and those functional round grilles add to an interior that feels superior to most SUVs in this compact luxury class.
The interior of this SUV includes great style and craftsmanship, compared to the one included in larger and more expensive SUVs.
The interior is highlighted by a wide new display center console that features more intuitive controls, a cascade of rich wood. Modern colors and trim options, elegant aluminum switches, and trim details to produce a beautifully elegant look.
Besides several standard features, the GLC also offers a variety of options and packages for an additional charge. Features like additional driver assistance, a self-parking system, and more.
The interior dashboard is enhanced by Analog gauges with high-resolution multifunction display, Dual-zone automatic climate control, Standard 10.25-inch touchscreen multimedia display. Crisp analog gauges flank a vivid color instrument cluster display. The central touchscreen, steering-wheel Touch Control Buttons, and console touchpad and more. The dual-zone climate control includes separate left and right temperature controls. Fully automatic or manual control of blower speed and airflow distribution.
For those who want to stay away from allergies, the climate system includes a dust and pollen filter that helps keep particles as small as 0.0002-inch from entering the interior of the GLC.
Safety features like Active Brake Assist and more, make this AMG a very safe SUV.
The GLC includes several safety features. One of the my favorite features is a modern Radar-based technology that alerts you if you’re approaching a vehicle ahead, or even some stationary objects, at a speed and distance that suggests a collision may happen.
As soon as the driver starts to brake, the system can automatically provide an appropriate level of braking to help prevent a collision or reduce its severity.
If you fail to respond, the system can also initiate braking automatically from speeds up to 65 mph and can activate the features of PRE-SAFE.