2022 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 SUV

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is the thinking person's go-faster SUV. Compared to the 469-horsepower big-boy GLC 63 twin-turbo V8, the 43's power output of 385 hp looks a bit lightweight. But just think about that for a second. When exactly did 385 hp become lightweight? Isn't it just an illusion created by the utterly ridiculous ongoing German horsepower war? It may be down on power compared to its brother, but this compact luxury performance crossover is powered by a perfectly capable twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. It also comes with many AMG-enhanced goodies as standard, giving it a more aggressive look both inside and out. Even this late in its life, the GLC 43 seemingly still has the right stuff, but both the Porsche Macan S and the BMW X3 M40i are also highly dynamic SUVs. Still, the Merc's classy interior and strong performance keep it in contention with these competitors.

The GLC 43 is quite a generic Mercedes SUV, although that's not a bad thing when the base GLC is already an attractive vehicle. With the AMG touches here, it gains an aggressive edge. It has a subtle AMG body kit included as standard, but more aggressive options are available on the options menu. As standard, it comes with anodized roof rails, 20-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels, quad exhausts, and the now-famous Panamericana grille. LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights are standard. A panorama roof can be optioned on and this includes a power interior shade for when the sun becomes a bit too intense.

There's no change in dimensions for the new GLC 43. It's 183.5 inches long, stands 64.5 inches tall, and has a width of 82.5 inches including the mirrors. The 113.1-inch wheelbase is slightly longer than the recently replaced C-Class.

Even with its old-school engine, the GLC 43 remains lighter than its arch-rival. Mercedes claims it weighs 4,162 pounds. That makes it a significant 230 pounds lighter than the BMW X3 M40i.

There are 12 colors on the palette, with the new Starling Blue metallic ($750) replacing last year's Brilliant Blue. The GLC 43 is quite a serious car, so we're perfectly happy with the limited color spectrum. As per usual, Black and Polar White are the only no-cost options. Metallic colors cost $750, and the available options include Obsidian Black, Graphite Grey, Mojave Silver, Lunar Blue, Cirrus Silver, and Selenite Grey. A more premium Manufaktur metallic range includes Cardinal Red ($1,750), Diamond White ($1,750), and Selenite Grey Magno ($3,250).

You can add black accents to the standard 20-inch alloys for $200 or upgrade to 21-inch alloys for $1,100 or $1,600. We wouldn't bother with the larger wheels, though, as they spoil the ride.

The existing Mercedes C-Class-based models are some of the last few Mercs to be powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. Every other model has moved on to the newer turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with mild-hybrid assist. It's a pity this engine's lifespan was so short because we rather liked it. When Mercedes-AMG first announced it would introduce a series of AMG Lite models, we were expecting humdrum products with some minor styling tweaks. But it was this specific engine that won us over and left us wondering whether it really was worth upgrading to a V8.

In the AMG GLC 43 SUV, it produces 385 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The GLC 43 can do the 0-60 mph run in 4.7 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 155 mph. Yes, the GLC 63 will get there in 3.8 seconds, but anything that can do it in less than five seconds is entertaining.

Despite the twin-turbo V8's power advantage, it has the same towing capacity as the GLC 43: Both can two up to 3,500 lbs when equipped properly.

Mercedes's 4MATIC all-wheel-drive is standard but enhanced by the engineers at AMG. The AMG Performance 4MATIC system should not be confused with the latest 4MATIC+, which can send 100% of the available power to the rear axle. Instead, the torque split for this particular system is 31:69.

The AMG-enhanced 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 has lived a relatively short life for an engine. Developing a new powertrain costs a lot of money, which is why an engine is usually carried over from one generation to the next until emissions regulations eventually catch up. This particular powertrain is a gem, and we're sad to see it go. You see, it works well in both luxury and sporty applications, and that's a tricky balance to get right. On the performance side, you only get the full 385 hp from 5,500 rpm. The exhaust's butterfly valves are wide open in the correct driving mode and provide an entertaining howl up to around 6,500 rpm. The maximum torque of 384 lb-ft is available from 2,500 rpm. That low-down torque makes the GLC 43 feel effortless and relaxing at low speed and capable of blistering overtaking maneuvers at freeway speeds.

We also need to mention that this is one of the best-sounding V6 engines out there. It sounds remarkably like Alfa Romeo's famous Busso V6 engine, and that was easily 90% of the reason why Alfisti would punish themselves by buying any product with that glorious free-revving NA engine. The engine used in the 2022 GLC 43 is mated to a nine-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission. It works in conjunction with the driving mode selected to provide quicker changes in manual mode, but it does its job just as efficiently whatever mode you choose. With nine gears to play around with, Mercedes included a set of closely-spaced ratios at the bottom-end for better acceleration, while ratios from seventh and above exist purely for fuel-efficiency.

The GLC 43 is equipped with an adaptive air suspension system, AMG Dynamic Select, and a three-stage electronic stability program. To drive, it's a bit of a mixed bag. When we first drove the standard GLC in 2015, we liked that Mercedes didn't bother to make it sporty. Even so, the chassis felt capable of coping with more power. Body lean was minimal, the standard 4MATIC provided loads of grip, and, crucially, the ride was compliant. Honestly, Mercedes could have stuck with the stock suspension because the combination would have been epic. Still, you can choose between four preset modes, including Slippery, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. These are the overarching settings, adapting the suspension, throttle response, and stability control.

Mercedes also offers an Individual mode, which allows the driver to select their own unique set of parameters. Unfortunately, the options are limited. You can't have the suspension in Comfort and the engine in Sport, for example. These two elements are always linked, and it's a pity. In Comfort mode, the GLC 43 is as easy to live with as a standard GLC - it goes about its business in a quiet and refined fashion, with little to no clues about what lies under the hood. Dial it up to Sport+, and the engine comes alive, offering a guttural growl as you accelerate and a series of pops and bangs when you lift off. It's such a satisfying way of destroying fossil fuel. The stability control is also less intrusive, and with nearly 70% of the power going to the rear, it's relatively easy to induce a slide on a loose surface. This is not a track car, which is why we would have liked to have a mode where the suspension remains in Comfort, but the engine is a bit more awake and vocal.

According to the EPA, the GLC 43 4MATIC should manage gas mileage figures of 18/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined. While this is perfectly acceptable given the performance potential, we can see why Merc is quickly moving over to the new inline-six. For proof, look at the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53. It weighs a lot more, yet the EPA claims it's capable of 18/22/19 mpg. That's only two miles per gallon down in what is a much larger, heavier (by over 900 lbs) SUV. In the GLE, the new engine also produces 429 hp and 384 lb-ft. With that in mind, it's easy to see why this V6 is on the way out.

The GLC 43 has a 17.4-gallon tank, good for an estimated driving range of 365 miles between refills.

On the inside, it's business as usual for Mercedes-Benz. The quality levels are high, the seats are plush, and it's generally just a wonderful place to spend time. In 2020, Mercedes gave the GLC a substantial facelift and included the latest in infotainment. This year, a digital instrument cluster became standard. It's no longer the brand's most modern cabin, but the addition of this driver's display does a lot to bring it closer to more recent Mercedes products. At least there are some great features like power front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a 64-color LED ambient lighting system as standard.

For most families, the GLC's cabin space will be perfect. Front occupants have 40.8 inches of legroom and 37.8 inches of headroom, while rear passengers get 37.3 inches of legroom and 38.5 inches of headroom. The rear center seat is fine for short journeys, but the GLC works best with four people on board - or only kids in the back. Long-haul journeys are a pleasure in this Benz.

One tip, however. Most of the interior color options are dark, making it feel more cramped than it actually is. If you go for one of the darker color options, do yourself a favor and add the $1,500 panorama glass roof. It makes the cabin feel more airy and spacious.

The only standard no-cost option is black MB-Tex leatherette and microfiber with red stitching. Upgrading to genuine leather costs $1,620, and the available options include Black with red stitching, Black, Saddle Brown, and Cranberry Red/Black. The Saddle Brown adds a dash of elegance to an otherwise somber interior, but for the full racy effect, you need those Cranberry Red seats. While AMG carbon-fiber trim costs $975, all other choices are free. These are Dark Brown Linden wood, Natural Grain Grey Oak wood, Natural Grain Walnut wood, and Natural Grain Black Ash wood combined with aluminum.

To offer rear passengers a large amount of legroom, Mercedes had to make the trunk smaller. Rated at 17.6 cubic feet, it's nowhere near as big as its BMW rival. Having said that, 17.6 cubes is relatively ample space, and you won't be struggling to pack in all the things you need for a weekend away. The rear seats fold down in a 40/20/40 split. Because this is Benz, you don't have to do this manually. You merely push a button, and they fold down automatically. With the rear seats down, the GLC grants you access to a 40.6-cube cargo area.

Interior storage is good. Both rows get large door pockets and dual cupholders. Front passengers also get a large glove compartment and a storage space underneath the center armrest.

The Merc-AMG GLC 43 comes standard with heated power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, remote start via the Mercedes app, a 64-color ambient lighting system, keyless go, illuminated entry, power side mirrors, and a power liftgate. Three-zone climate control, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless charging, and ventilated front seats are optionally available, as is hands-free access.

As is usually the case with Mercedes, it's a bit light on driver assistance features. You do get blind-spot assist, exit warning assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, and active parking assist. There is a long list of optional safety equipment like adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, evasive steering, active lane change assist, and more.

As mentioned earlier, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 does not have the latest 12.3-inch version of Merc's infotainment system. It has a 10.25-inch touchscreen interface that does at least come with MBUX software. You get voice control, steering wheel touch controls, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM with a six-month all-access trial. Even this AMG-lite comes with Racetimer which can record lap times on dedicated racing circuits. This year, the previously optional 12.3-inch digital cluster display is standard. Navigation, the AMG Track Pace for MBUX, and in-car Wi-Fi remain on the options list.

A 13-speaker Burmester sound system is also available on the options menu, although a FrontBass system is standard with the base audio setup, and this includes twin under-dash subwoofers.

No recalls have yet affected the 2022 AMG GLC 43. However, the 2021 model has been recalled three times so far in the US. These issues were for an inaccurate vehicle location being sent out to emergency services after a crash, a malfunctioning front seat position switch that could affect airbag deployment, and a rearview camera that may not display an image.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 SUV is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which also covers the drivetrain. Unlike BMW, Mercedes does not include complimentary scheduled maintenance.

There are no specific safety review results for the AMG GLC 43 SUV. However, the NHTSA's review of the regular GLC-Class provides some insight into how safe the GLC 43 is; the non-AMG model returned a five-star overall rating. The IIHS also provided a 'Good' rating for all six crashworthiness categories tested on the standard GLC-Class SUV. It was given a Top Safety Pick award, though this only applies to models with the optional LED headlights (which are standard on the AMG GLC 43) and the optional crash prevention, which is not standard fitment.

The AMG GLC 43 SUV is equipped with LED lights at the front and rear, seven airbags including a knee airbag for the driver, traction and stability control, rain-sensing wipers, tire pressure monitoring, and a rearview camera. Mercedes adds a few driver assistance features like blind-spot assist with exit warning assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Pre-Safe, which sets the interior up for maximum protection when it detects an unavoidable crash. Other standard items are attention assist, crosswind assist, and front and rear parking sensors with active parking assist.

You do have to pay an additional $1,700 for the Driver Assistance Package but there's a lot of value to be had here as this package adds 13 advanced driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, congestion emergency braking, and active lane change assist. This package requires adding the $1,300 Multimedia Package as well. A head-up display can be added for an extra $1,100, a surround-view camera system is $600, and rear side airbags go for $700.

This is a brutal verdict because the GLC is so close to the end of its life. You can tell by looking at the interior that it's achingly close to facing the axeman. Do you get one now, or do you wait until the next generation rolls in? There's an excellent case to be made for getting one now. As mentioned earlier, the glorious 385-hp turbocharged V6 is also on the way out. The next-generation C-Class AMG will use a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid setup, so it stands to reason that the next version of this car will use the same. The GLC 63 will get all the horses, while the 43 (or whatever Benz calls it) will be detuned. It's such a pity because the GLC 43 is, in our opinion, a better buy than its more powerful 63 brother. The 63 has too much power, and the opportunities to fully exploit it are minimal. The GLC 43 is a more balanced offering. It feels lighter and nimbler, and it also makes a lovely noise. The competition is also strong, however. Audi's SQ5 leaves us a bit cold, but the X3 M40i is an exceptional car; it's even better than the stupidly stiff X3 M. As a less intimidating AMG product, the current GLC 43 still has a lot to offer.

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 SUV has a price of $59,900 MSRP, excluding the $1,050 destination charge. Compared to its main competitors in the USA, the GLC 43 is the most expensive. The Audi SQ5 goes on sale for $55,800, while the X3 M40i retails for $57,800.

There is only one GLC 43 model, and it's powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to an AWD system via a nine-speed automatic transmission, both enhanced by AMG.

On the outside, it comes with LED lighting, quad exhaust pipes, 20-inch alloys, a power liftgate, AMG body styling, and a Panamericana grille. On the inside, it comes standard with an AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather, MB-Tex leatherette and microfiber seats, red seat belts, and brushed stainless steel pedals. Standard luxury and convenience items include heated power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, remote start, a 64-color ambient lighting system, keyless go, illuminated entry, and power side mirrors.

For peace of mind, the safety specification includes blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, seven airbags, traction and stability control, rain-sensing wipers, and tire pressure monitoring. In the cabin, you'll find a 12.3-incg digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The latter runs Merc's latest MBUX software and is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM. You don't get the complete AMG race telemetry system found on the latest AMG cars, but you get a basic acceleration and lap timer in the instrument cluster display.

If you want to add to the price of the one-model AMG GLC 43 SUV, various extras are available. The SUV's appearance can be enhanced by adding the $1,950 AMG Performance Studio Package. This package combines the AMG Night and AMG Optics packages, with black detailing added to various parts of the exterior.

The Multimedia Package costs $1,300 and adds navigation with augmented video, connected navigation for three years, live traffic information, and speed limit assist. Merc's Driver Assistance Package includes steering assist, adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep assist, active blind-spot monitoring, and Pre-Safe Plus, to name just a few, but plumps up the bill to the tune of $1,700. That's not the final cost, however, as the Driver Assistance Package can only be equipped in tandem with the Multimedia Package.

Mercedes also offers several standalone options like the $600 surround-view camera, a $1,500 panorama roof, and a $250 heated steering wheel. Ventilated front seats will cost you $450, while adding heating to the rear perches is $580. If you want the AMG-style head-up display, you'll need to fork out $1,100, and the top-end Burmester surround sound system is priced at $850.

There is only one model, but it's worth exploring the options list to find the best specification. We'd have ours in the new Starling Blue with the 20-inch alloys with black inserts. The Cranberry Red/Black leather seats are a must and they couple nicely with the no-cost Natural Grain Black Ash wood and aluminum interior. The Driver Assistance Package is a must, and selecting it automatically adds the Multimedia Package. Finally, we'd go with the high-end $850 Burmester sound system. This brings the total to $69,070, including destination and delivery. That's not bad and still a decent chunk away from the GLC 63 model.

While Merc's twin-turbo V6 is a gem, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 will go down as one of the greatest engines in the history of internal combustion. The power gap isn't as significant as you might expect, however. The V6 produces 385 hp, while the 63 boasts specs of 469 hp and 479 b-ft. AMG obviously had to detune the 4.0-liter, as it's capable of producing more than 600 hp. The epic soundtrack remains in place.

You'd guess the 63 would walk all over the 43, then. The truth is, the 63 is only really ahead in two departments - straight-line speed and noise. The 63's ride is too firm, and the fuel consumption is horrific, if not on paper than in reality because you're constantly chasing that soundtrack, and that turns gas into noise quite rapidly. If money were no object, it's hard to resist the allure of the 63's V8. But the 43 offers excellent performance and a better ride at a lower price, which is why it's our choice here.

BMW's X3 M40i is less powerful than the AMG GLC 43 SUV, but it puts the power down more effectively thanks to a better AWD system. It has 382 hp versus the Merc's 385 hp, yet it gets to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, beating the Benz's 4.7-second time. BMW also offers a more balanced suspension system that hits that perfect spot between comfort and agility. We'd even have it over the more powerful X3 M, which is just too stiff to live with no matter what driver setting you use. We have had the opportunity to drive this model on track, and the electronic nannies are superb. In Sport+ mode with the stability control dialed back, it feels glorious. Switch everything off, and it handles like an understeering pig. BMW is at the forefront of selectable driving modes, we reckon. The X3 also has a more modern interior and has a huge 28.7-cube trunk, easily beating the Merc's 17.6 cubes. Basically, the BMW is newer, and you can tell. This battle might be less one-sided when Mercedes introduces the new GLC.