2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC

2021 is a carry-over year of the 2020 facelift of the first-generation (X253) GLC. The volume GLC 300 uses the 2.0L turbo four rated at 255 hp, and the AMG GLC 63 4.0L biturbo V8 tops the 2021 SUV range.

The pre-mild-hybrid M264 2.0T makes 273 lb-ft from 1,800 rpm. That is mid-pack for a base compact luxury SUV engine.

Mercedes quotes about 6.2 seconds to 60 mph for the GLC 300 4MATIC across the 2020–2022 facelift years, whose powertrain did not change. That is mid-pack for a base four-cylinder compact luxury SUV.

The 2.0T is smooth and quiet at cruise and delivers torque early. It lacks the 48V starter-generator added in 2023, so stop-start restarts are more noticeable, and the four-cylinder note is unremarkable next to six-cylinder rivals such as the BMW X3 M40i.

The 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic shifts smoothly and usually picks the right gear. In Comfort mode, kickdown from low speed can feel hesitant.

The X253 GLC is rated to tow 3,500 lbs with the factory hitch, the class norm. The BMW X3 is rated at 4,400 lbs.

Permanent 4MATIC AWD with a 45/55 split is available on the GLC 300. The AMG GLC 43 and 63 come standard with rear-biased AMG Performance 4MATIC/4MATIC+, the 63's with variable torque distribution. A rear-drive GLC 300 is also sold. There is no low range or locker.

The GLC is pavement-oriented, with about 7 in of ground clearance and no skid plates or lockers. Dynamic Select includes an off-road mode, and the optional Air Body Control can raise ride height slightly.

The 2021 US GLC SUV offered three engines: the GLC 300 2.0T, the AMG GLC 43 3.0L biturbo V6 and the AMG GLC 63 4.0L biturbo V8. That is broader than 2022, which dropped the GLC 63 SUV, but no hybrid or plug-in was sold in the US that year.

EPA rates the 2021 GLC 300 4MATIC at 23 MPG combined, one MPG below the 2022 rating. That is below average for a gas compact luxury SUV.

The volume AWD trim carries an EPA city rating of 21 MPG.

An EPA highway rating of 28 MPG is average for an AWD compact luxury SUV.

A 17.4-gallon tank at the EPA 23 MPG combined rating gives about 400 miles per tank. EPA publishes no range figure for gas vehicles, so this is calculated.

EPA estimates $3,500 a year in fuel at current premium prices, high for the class. The cause is the 23 MPG rating combined with a premium-fuel requirement.

Every 2021 US GLC SUV requires premium unleaded: GLC 300, AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63. No regular-fuel or diesel option was offered.

NHTSA rates the 2021 GLC SUV 5 stars overall in both RWD and 4WD form, with 5-star frontal, side and side-pole results. The rollover rating is 4 stars.

The 2021 GLC earned a 2021 Top Safety Pick (not TSP+), with Good ratings in every crashworthiness test. The award applies only to cars with the optional front crash prevention and the optional projector headlights.

Standard equipment is limited to forward collision warning with Active Brake Assist and blind-spot detection. Lane departure warning and prevention, rear automatic braking, adaptive cruise and lane centering are all optional, which is a thin standard suite for a luxury SUV in 2021.

With the optional Driver Assistance Package, the system rates Superior in both IIHS vehicle-to-vehicle and daytime pedestrian tests. The standard system was not separately rated, and there is no nighttime pedestrian result for this generation.

Blind Spot Assist with exit warning is standard. Rear automatic braking was still optional for 2021 (it became standard for 2022), and Active Blind Spot Assist with corrective braking and the cross-traffic function come only with the Driver Assistance Package.

Lane departure warning and Active Lane Keeping Assist are optional, not standard. The packaged Active Steering Assist centers smoothly, but a car without the package gets no lane assistance at all.

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with stop-and-go and route-based speed adaptation is refined and well reviewed. On the GLC 300 it is an option, not standard equipment.

The 2021 GLC offers no hands-free highway system; Active Steering Assist requires the driver's hands on the wheel. Mercedes' Drive Pilot was never offered on the GLC.

IIHS rates the optional curve-adaptive LED projectors with high-beam assist Good. The standard 2021 LED reflector headlights, which have neither curve adaptation nor high-beam assist, rate Poor.

The upright seating position gives good forward sightlines, but thick rear pillars limit the view over the rear three-quarters. A rear camera is standard; the surround-view camera is optional.

IIHS rates the LATCH hardware Acceptable for ease of use. There are two LATCH positions and a tether-only center seat, and the compact rear bench makes fitting several seats tight.

The first-generation (X253) GLC is a two-row, five-passenger SUV only, and 2021 sits in the facelifted run of that generation.

US spec feeds for the 2021 GLC 300 list 39.6 in front headroom. Cars with the panorama sunroof lose some of it, and some US sources quote about 37.8 in for those.

Front legroom is a little below the class average.

The upright roofline gives generous rear headroom. The published figure duplicates the front value in dealer feeds, so it may be overstated.

Rear legroom is competitive with the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, so adults fit behind average-height front occupants.

The GLC has no third row, which is normal for the compact luxury class but scores at the bottom of this item.

Cargo space behind the rear seats is small for the class, and reviewers call it a weak point against the Volvo XC60 and Acura RDX.

Maximum cargo volume is mid-pack among compact luxury rivals.

Everyday storage is competitive: a covered center-console bin, door pockets, a power liftgate and a 40/20/40 folding rear seat. There are no standout tricks.

The supportive, power-adjustable front seats are well regarded. The rear bench is comfortable but somewhat flat and upright.

The ride is composed and well damped, smoothing bumps without fuss. The optional Air Body Control improves it further, while large optional wheels add some firmness.

The cabin stays quiet and serene at highway speed. The four-cylinder becomes audible under hard acceleration.

Heated front seats and dual-zone climate are standard. Ventilated seats, a heated wheel and heated rear seats are optional extras, as is common for German luxury brands.

2021 is a carry-over year for the facelifted first-generation (X253) GLC. The SUV starts with the rear-drive GLC 300 at $43,200 before destination; the 4MATIC adds $2,000.

Most US buyers chose the GLC 300 4MATIC ($45,200 + $1,050 destination) and added the usual Premium and Driver Assistance packages and larger wheels. That puts a typically equipped sticker around $51k–52k.

German-luxury dealer service (alternating Service A/B, brake fluid, filters) costs more than at mainstream brands and Lexus. The 2021 car shares the mature M264 2.0T and 9G-Tronic drivetrain with the 2020–2022 models, so the estimate matches the same-generation figure.

Industry 5-year estimates put the GLC's loss at about 47.5–52%, close to the compact luxury SUV segment average. That is behind Lexus and Porsche rivals.

Mercedes-Benz USA's New Vehicle Limited Warranty runs 48 months or 50,000 miles, typical for a German luxury brand.

Mercedes has no separate, longer powertrain warranty, so the engine and transmission are covered only by the 4-yr/50k-mi basic warranty. Genesis (10/100), Lexus (6/70) and Cadillac (6/70) all offer longer powertrain coverage.

Scheduled maintenance is not included; Mercedes sells it as Prepaid Maintenance packages, whereas Genesis, Volvo and BMW include it. Included perks are limited to roadside assistance for the warranty term and a Mercedes me connect trial.

$51,500 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (48% retained, or about $24,720) leaves about $26,780 in depreciation. Add the projected $6,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $32,780 in total.

2021 is a carry-over year of the facelifted first-generation (X253) GLC. Consumer Reports' owner survey rates it less reliable than other cars from the same model year, a step below the about-average verdict on the 2022. KBB owner ratings (4.1 reliability) are kinder, so the signals are mixed. That puts it below the peer median but well clear of the Discovery Sport and Stelvio.

For years Mercedes-Benz has sat in the bottom third of Consumer Reports' brand reliability rankings and below the industry average in J.D. Power's dependability study. The recurring weak spots are electronics, infotainment and the 48V mild-hybrid systems.

About nine NHTSA campaigns cover the MY2021 GLC, a heavy count for the year. Most are fleet-wide software fixes (eCall crash notification, MBUX rear camera) or small populations. A few touch safety systems: side-impact crash sensor connectors, the occupant/seat-position switch, and the 2021–2023 fuel-pump shutdown that can cause loss of drive power. None carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory, and there is nothing systemic to the GLC's own powertrain.

The GLC 300 uses the M264 2.0L turbo-4 with a 48V EQ Boost starter-generator (from 2020), paired with the long-proven 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic. The M264 has no systemic failure pattern. Owners do report oil leaks, some camshaft-adjuster faults and 48V system faults, and 2021 shares the 2021–2023 fuel-pump recall.

Reviewers consistently praised the facelifted X253 cabin for rich materials: wide soft-touch coverage, open-pore wood, metal switchgear and the 12.3-inch digital cockpit. It sits near the top of the compact luxury class, though the touchpad controller drew criticism.

The mature X253 platform is generally tightly assembled with solid perceived build quality. But 2021 picked up a few assembly-quality campaigns: loose side-crash sensor connectors, a non-watertight headlight connector specific to the 2021 GLC, and headlight aim. Owners also report scattered rattles and MBUX glitches.

Mercedes-Benz USA's network of roughly 380+ dealers gives dense metro coverage and reasonable reach elsewhere. Loaners and service amenities are common, and service satisfaction sits around the luxury-segment average.

Parts and labor cost well above mainstream brands, and electronics repairs often need dealer diagnostics or coding. The long-running X253 platform has decent aftermarket and OEM-supplier coverage for common service and wear parts.

A 10.25-in MBUX touchscreen is standard on the 2021 GLC 300. Carvana notes that 2021 made the touch function standard.

MBUX is quick and graphically rich, but having touchscreen, touchpad and steering-wheel touch controls all at once is fussy, and core functions depend too much on touch.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but no 2021 source confirms wireless projection. Aftermarket wireless retrofit kits sold for the X253 suggest the factory setup is wired.

The 'Hey Mercedes' natural-language assistant was class-leading at the time, and native MBUX navigation is good. Augmented-reality navigation came only in optional packages.

The base system is adequate, and the optional Burmester surround system is well regarded.

The 12.3-in digital cockpit is crisp and configurable but optional. The base car keeps analog gauges with a center display.

MBUX receives infotainment and map updates over the air via Mercedes me connect. There are no whole-vehicle feature updates.

The Mercedes me app covers remote start, lock/unlock, vehicle finder and status. It requires a subscription after the trial, and there is no phone-as-key.

There are USB-C ports up front and rear charge-only ports. Wireless charging is optional, and there is no household AC outlet.

For 2021, passive KEYLESS-GO entry became standard alongside push-button start and a power liftgate. Remote start works through the app, but phone-as-key isn't offered.

For 2021, Active Parking Assist and rear cross-traffic alert became standard alongside the rear camera. The surround-view camera is still part of an optional package.

A head-up display is available as an option on the GLC 300 but isn't standard on the volume trim.

Rear-seat room is decent and the LATCH rating is good (A), but the 19.4 cu ft cargo hold tightens once a stroller and groceries go in.

Crash ratings are strong (5-star NHTSA, IIHS Top Safety Pick), and 2021 made blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts standard. The award needs optional front crash prevention and headlights, and lane-keeping costs extra.

The cabin is quiet and comfortable for four, but luggage space with all seats occupied is modest. Rear amenities such as heated seats depend on options.

The GLC is smooth and easy in traffic with a calm ride. Stop-start shudder and the 9-speed's occasionally slow downshifts are minor annoyances.

At 23 MPG combined on premium fuel, commuting costs are average for a gas compact luxury SUV.

The footprint is compact (about 183 in long) and the turning circle is a reasonable 38.7 ft. Active Parking Assist became standard for 2021, though the thick rear pillars limit visibility and the 360 camera is optional.

A 3,500-lb tow rating and a small cargo hold cover light-trailer duty at most.

This is a luxury SUV with no fleet or work pedigree, and repair costs under hard use are high.

There are cargo tie-downs and an optional factory hitch, but no onboard AC power or work-oriented features.

It is a quiet, comfortable highway cruiser with about 400 miles of range from a 17.4-gal tank. DISTRONIC adaptive cruise and Active Steering Assist are optional.

Available 4MATIC AWD, an Off-Road drive mode and 3,500-lb towing handle gravel roads and bike racks. There is no US off-road package, and ground clearance is modest.

The 40/20/40 rear seat lets long items ride between two passengers, and roof rails and a hitch are available. Overall volume is middling, at 19.4–56.5 cu ft.

The GLC 300 is composed and secure with good body control, but it is tuned for comfort and less engaging than the BMW X3 or Porsche Macan.

The steering is precise and nicely weighted but light, and it conveys little road feel.

Braking is strong and predictable for the class, with a softer pedal than the sportier German rivals'.

The 255-hp 2.0T and 9-speed are smooth and torquey from 1,800 rpm. Stop-start shudder and occasionally slow downshifts hold the score back.

It is quiet at cruise, but the four-cylinder sounds coarse and generic when worked hard.

The turning circle is about average for a compact luxury SUV. The figure is converted from the published 5.9 m turning radius.

The driving position is commanding with good seat adjustment, but the touchpad and touch-sensitive wheel controls complicate the layout and the rear pillars block some of the view.

The GLC 300 is pleasant and polished but forgettable. The AMG GLC 43 and 63 provide the excitement.

For 2021 the GLC 300 added standard rear cross-traffic alert, Parking Assist and keyless entry with push-button start. Those join the 10.25-in MBUX screen, CarPlay/Android Auto, a 14-way memory driver's seat, dual-zone climate and a power liftgate. Heated seats, the digital cluster, adaptive cruise with lane centering and Burmester audio remain extra-cost options.

At $44,250 to start, the GLC 300 was priced in line with the X3 and Q5, with a refined cabin and a 255-hp 2.0T. Building a well-equipped example takes several option packages, which pushes a typical 4MATIC into the low $50ks.

The 2021 US GLC SUV spanned the GLC 300 in RWD or 4MATIC form, the AMG GLC 43 and the AMG GLC 63 S, plus a separate GLC Coupe body. The plug-in GLC 350e was dropped from the US lineup for 2021, which narrowed powertrain choice.

The GLC sold 51,805 units in the US in 2021, second at Mercedes-Benz behind the GLE. That made it a solid upper-tier seller in the compact luxury SUV class, though not the segment leader.

Mercedes-Benz is among the most aspirational premium brands, with AMG adding a performance halo. That supports demand and residuals, though its reliability reputation is middling.

Early in the 2021 model year Mercedes ran its usual lease and financing offers on the GLC. From mid-2021 the semiconductor shortage tightened inventory, and luxury SUVs increasingly sold at or near MSRP.

2021 is the sixth US model year of the first-generation X253 (launched for 2016) and the year after its 2020 facelift, which brought MBUX and new engines. The all-new X254 arrived for 2023, so the generation was mid-to-late cycle.

The facelifted GLC was consistently well reviewed for interior quality, ride comfort and MBUX tech, but comparison tests usually favored the BMW X3 or Porsche Macan. It won no 10Best or NACTOY award for 2021.