2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC

2022 is the final US model year of the first-generation (X253) GLC, in its 2020 facelift form. The volume GLC 300 uses the 2.0L turbo four rated at 255 hp; the AMG GLC 43 3.0L biturbo V6 tops the 2022 SUV range.

The pre-mild-hybrid M264 2.0T makes 273 lb-ft. That is 22 lb-ft less than the 295 lb-ft of the 2023 X254 GLC 300.

Mercedes quotes about 6.2 seconds to 60 mph for the GLC 300 4MATIC. 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 reviewers call the four-cylinder note unremarkable next to six-cylinder rivals.

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 is available on the GLC 300 and standard on the AMG GLC 43, which uses a rear-biased 31/69 AMG Performance 4MATIC. A rear-drive GLC 300 is also sold. Off-road driving programs are offered, but 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 2022 US GLC SUV came with two engines, the GLC 300 2.0T and the AMG GLC 43 3.0L biturbo V6. The AMG GLC 63 and the GLC 350e plug-in were not offered that year, so there was no electrified option.

EPA rates the 2022 GLC 300 4MATIC at 24 MPG combined. That is two MPG below the mild-hybrid 2023 successor and middling 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 24 MPG combined rating gives about 418 miles per tank. EPA publishes no range figure for gas vehicles, so this is calculated.

EPA estimates $3,350 a year in fuel at current premium prices. That is high for the class because of the 24 MPG rating combined with a premium-fuel requirement.

Every 2022 US GLC SUV, both the GLC 300 and the AMG GLC 43, requires premium unleaded. No regular-fuel or diesel option was offered.

NHTSA rates the 2022 GLC-Class SUV 5 stars overall in both RWD and 4WD form, with 5-star frontal and side results. The rollover rating is 4 stars.

The 2022 GLC earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick (not TSP+), with Good ratings in every crashworthiness test. The award applies only to vehicles with the optional front crash prevention and specific headlights.

Forward collision warning with Active Brake Assist, blind-spot detection and rear automatic braking are standard. Lane departure warning and prevention, adaptive cruise and lane centering are optional extras in the Driver Assistance Package, a notable gap at luxury pricing.

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 no nighttime pedestrian test exists for this generation.

Blind Spot Assist with exit warning and rear automatic braking are standard. Active Blind Spot Assist with corrective braking and the cross-traffic braking function require the optional Driver Assistance Package.

Lane departure warning and Active Lane Keeping Assist are optional, not standard. The packaged Active Steering Assist centers smoothly, but buyers of an unoptioned car get no lane assistance at all.

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with stop-and-go and route-based speed adaptation is refined and well reviewed. It is optional on the GLC 300 rather than standard.

The 2022 GLC offers no hands-free highway system; Active Steering Assist requires hands on the wheel. Mercedes' Drive Pilot was never offered on the GLC.

IIHS rates the curve-adaptive LED projectors from the optional Exterior Lighting package Good, but the standard LED reflector headlights on 2022 models rate Poor. Both include high-beam assist.

An upright seating position gives good forward sightlines, while the thick rear pillars limit rear-three-quarter views. A rear camera is standard; the surround-view camera is optional.

IIHS rates the LATCH hardware only Acceptable for ease of use. Two LATCH positions plus a tether-only center seat, and the compact rear bench makes multiple seats tight.

The first-generation (X253) GLC is a two-row, five-passenger SUV only; 2022 is the final model year of that generation per Wikipedia and the registry.

The published US figure is 37.8 in, which reflects the panorama sunroof fitted to most cars; some dealer spec feeds quote a metric 1,006 mm (39.6 in), likely a European measurement.

Front legroom is a little below average for the class, and the X254 that followed has the same figure.

Rear headroom is good for a compact luxury crossover, and the roofline doesn't taper the way coupe-SUV rivals do.

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 still scores at the bottom of this item.

Cargo space behind the rear seats is on the small side for the class: less than the X3 (28.7) and Q5 (25.8), and below the 21.9 cu ft of the X254 that replaced it.

Maximum cargo volume is mid-pack among compact luxury rivals and low against the broader SUV band.

Everyday storage is competitive: a covered center-console bin, door pockets and a standard 40/20/40 folding rear seat. There are no standout tricks, and the cargo floor is shallow.

The supportive, power-adjustable front seats are well regarded, with optional sport seats and leather. The rear bench is comfortable but a bit flat and upright.

The ride is composed and well damped on the standard suspension, and the optional Air Body Control smooths it further. Large optional wheels add some firmness over sharp impacts.

The cabin is hushed at highway speed, with little wind noise. The four-cylinder gets audible under hard acceleration.

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

2022 is the final US model year of the first-generation (X253) GLC, starting at $43,850 before destination for the GLC 300 RWD. The 4MATIC adds $2,000, and the AMG GLC 43 starts at $59,900.

Most US buyers chose the GLC 300 4MATIC ($45,850 + $1,050 destination) and added common packages (Premium, Driver Assistance, larger wheels). That puts a typical sticker around the low $50k range.

German-luxury dealer service (alternating Service A/B, brake fluid, filters) costs more than mainstream and Lexus rivals. The mature M264 2.0T and 9G-Tronic drivetrain is a known quantity, so this uses an estimate between CarEdge's figure and higher KBB-class estimates.

KBB shows the 2022 GLC losing about 38% of its value in its first three years, which in a typical curve points to retaining roughly half after five. That is mid-pack for German luxury SUVs and behind Lexus and Porsche.

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 2-, 3- or 4-year Prepaid Maintenance packages, whereas Genesis, Volvo and BMW include it. The included perks are limited to roadside assistance for the warranty term and a Mercedes me connect trial.

$52,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (48% retained, or about $24,960) leaves about $27,040 in depreciation. Add the projected $6,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $33,040 in total.

2022 was the final model year of the first-generation (X253) GLC, a mature, carry-over year after the 2020 facelift, and Consumer Reports rates it about average for its model year. That puts it near the peer median: ahead of the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and well short of the Lexus NX.

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.

Only two NHTSA campaigns cover the MY2022 GLC, a light record for a luxury SUV and far cleaner than the launch-year X254. One is serious: a multi-model fuel-pump fault that can cause loss of drive power. The other is a headlight-aim compliance fix. Neither carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Earlier X253 years carried more campaigns, mostly eCall software, seat-belt and roof-structure issues that had been resolved by 2022.

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. By 2022 the M264 had several years in service without a systemic failure pattern. Owners do report oil leaks, a few camshaft-adjuster faults and 48V system faults, and the platform 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. It is a step behind the newer X254, and the touchpad controller drew criticism.

As a seventh-year build of a mature platform, the 2022 GLC shows tight panel gaps and solid assembly, with none of the launch-year fastener and assembly recalls that hit the 2023 X254. There are scattered owner complaints about interior rattles and MBUX glitches, and the headlight-aim recall points to a factory adjustment lapse.

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. After seven years of production the X253 has decent aftermarket and OEM-supplier coverage for common service and wear parts.

The 2020 facelift standardized a 10.25-in MBUX touchscreen, and it carried over unchanged for 2022.

MBUX is quick and graphically rich, but having touchscreen, touchpad and steering-wheel touch controls all at once is fussy. Owners say core functions are too touch-dependent.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Wireless projection could not be confirmed for the US X253, and the aftermarket wireless retrofit kits sold for this model suggest the factory setup is wired.

The 'Hey Mercedes' natural-language assistant was class-leading when it launched. Native MBUX navigation is good, and augmented-reality navigation came only in optional packages.

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

The crisp, configurable 12.3-in digital cockpit came with the 2020 facelift but is an option. The base car keeps analog gauges with a center display.

MBUX on the X253 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 goes behind a subscription after the trial, and there is no phone-as-key.

The facelift added USB-C ports up front, and rear ports are charge-only. Wireless charging is available but often optional, and there is no household AC outlet.

Push-button start and a power liftgate are standard. KEYLESS-GO proximity entry and the hands-free liftgate come in optional packages, and phone-as-key isn't offered.

A rear camera is standard. The surround-view camera, parking sensors and Active Parking Assist come in the optional Parking Assistance Package.

A head-up display is optional on the GLC 300 as a stand-alone or package option. It isn't standard on the volume trim.

The rear has decent room 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), but the award needs optional front crash prevention and headlights. Lane-keeping and adaptive cruise cost extra.

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

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

Fuel economy is average for a gas compact luxury SUV, and premium fuel is required.

It has a compact footprint (183 in long) and a reasonable ~38.7 ft turning circle, but the thick rear pillars hamper 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, though the platform was mature by its final year. Maintenance and repair costs are high under hard use.

There are a few 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 good seats and decent 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 conveys little road feel.

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

The 255-hp 2.0T and 9-speed are smooth, but this pre-48V car lacks the X254's seamless mild-hybrid restarts, and stop-start shudders noticeably.

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 11.8 m (5.9 m 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 provides the excitement.

The 2022 GLC 300 comes standard with the MBUX infotainment system on a 10.25-in screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a power liftgate, MB-Tex upholstery, automatic emergency braking and LED headlights. Heated seats, the 12.3-in digital cluster, adaptive cruise with lane centering, Burmester audio and the 360° camera are in extra-cost packages, and the Genesis GV70 and Volvo XC60 include more at base.

At $44,900 to start, the GLC was priced in line with the X3 and Q5 and well below its replacement, with a refined cabin and a 255-hp 2.0T. Building a well-equipped example takes several option packages, which pushes a typical GLC 300 4MATIC into the low $50ks, more than a comparably equipped GV70 2.5T.

The 2022 US GLC SUV spanned the GLC 300 in RWD or 4MATIC form, the AMG GLC 43 and the AMG GLC 63 S, alongside a separate GLC Coupe body. That gives a wide price ladder from about $45k to over $80k, though no plug-in hybrid was offered in the US for 2022.

The GLC was Mercedes-Benz USA's best-selling model in 2022, with about 65,500 units, up from about 51,800 in 2021. It was a top-tier seller in the compact luxury SUV class.

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.

MY2022 sold during the semiconductor-shortage inventory squeeze, when luxury SUVs commonly transacted at or above MSRP and cash incentives were minimal. Some runout lease and financing offers appeared late in the model year as the X254 approached.

2022 is the seventh and final US model year of the first-generation X253, launched for 2016 and refreshed for 2020. The all-new X254 was unveiled in June 2022 and replaced it for 2023, so 2022 buyers got a generation on its way out.

Late in its life the first-gen GLC was consistently well reviewed for its interior quality, ride comfort and MBUX tech, but comparison tests usually favored the BMW X3, Genesis GV70 or Porsche Macan. It won no 10Best or NACTOY award in 2022.