We place the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC side-by-side with the old GLC to see what you’re in for once it arrives in Australia in 2023.
Mercedes-Benz revealed its new medium luxury SUV this week, with the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC likely again to become the German marque’s most popular vehicle.
However, Mercedes isn’t resting on its laurels and expecting success to come to it. A whole host of changes have been made with the new-generation 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC including tweaks to its exterior styling, new interior finishes and design, better technology, and larger dimensions overall.
Drive has been given images which directly pit the new 2023 GLC (codenamed X254) against its forerunner (codenamed X253). We've delved into the key dimensions to determine just how different the Mercedes-Benz GLC is between generations.
Here’s how the two compare.
Key dimensions
Model | New Mercedes-Benz GLC (X254) | Old Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253) | Difference |
Length | 4716mm | 4656mm | +60mm |
Width (excl. mirrors) | 1890mm | 1890mm | 0mm |
Height | 1640mm | 1644mm | -4mm |
Wheelbase | 2888mm | 2873mm | +15mm |
Front track | 1627mm | 1621mm | +6mm |
Rear track | 1640mm | 1617mm | +23mm |
Headroom (driver) | 1048mm | 1064mm | -16mm |
Headroom (rear passenger) | 1007mm | 1006mm | +1mm |
Legroom (rear) | 950mm | 948mm | +2mm |
Elbow room (rear) | 1480mm | 1474mm | +6mm |
Shoulder room (front) | 1456mm | 1455mm | +1mm |
Shoulder room (rear) | 1438mm | 1436mm | +2mm |
Luggage capacity (boot) | 600 litres | 550 litres | +50 litres |
New Mercedes-Benz GLC X254
Old Mercedes-Benz GLC X253
Powertrain
Model | New Mercedes-Benz GLC (X254) | Old Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253) |
Displacement | 1999cc (GLC200, GLC300) | 1999cc (GLC200, GLC300) |
Engine | 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid boost | 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine |
Output | GLC200: 150kW/320Nm (17kW/200Nm mild-hybrid boost) GLC300: 190kW/400Nm (17kW/200Nm mild-hybrid boost) | GLC200: 145kW/320Nm GLC300: 190kW/370Nm |
Combined consumption | 7.3-8.2L/100km (both engines) | GLC200: 8.0L/100km GLC300: 8.2L/100km |
Transmission | 9G-TRONIC Nine-speed automatic transmission | 9G-TRONIC Nine-speed automatic transmission |
Acceleration (0-100km/h) | GLC200: 7.8 seconds GLC300: 6.2 seconds | GLC200: 7.8 seconds GLC300: 6.2 seconds |
Towing | GLC200: 2400kg (braked) GLC300: 2400kg (braked) | GLC200: 2000kg (braked) GLC300: 2400kg (braked) |
New Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 top view
New Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 top view
New Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 rear
New Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 rear
Infotainment
Model | New Mercedes-Benz GLC (X254) | Old Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253) | Difference |
Digital instrument cluster | 12.3 inches | 12.3 inches | 0 |
Main display | 11.9 inches | 10.25 inches | +1.65 inches |
The incoming X254-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC range will arrive in Australia in the first half of 2023. Pricing and specifications of the incoming model will be announced closer to its launch.
Tom started out in the automotive industry by exploiting his photographic skills but quickly learned that journalists got the better end of the deal. He began with CarAdvice in 2014, left in 2017 to join Bauer Media titles including Wheels and WhichCar and subsequently returned to CarAdvice in early 2021 during its transition to Drive. As part of the Drive content team, Tom covers automotive news, car reviews, advice, and holds a special interest in long-form feature stories. He understands that every car buyer is unique and has varying requirements when it comes to buying a new car, but equally, there’s also a loyal subset of Drive audience that loves entertaining enthusiast content. Tom holds a deep respect for all things automotive no matter the model, priding himself on noticing the subtle things that make each car tick. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t learn something new in an everchanging industry, which is then imparted to the Drive reader base.
Read more about Tom Fraser