The 2019 Mercedes GLC lasts around 200,000 miles with some average check engine light and window motor issues reported. At $24,850 to $72,500, it’s expensive, but worth the money if you’re in the market for a luxurious compact SUV.
Is the 2019 Mercedes GLC a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2019 is a good year for the Mercedes-Benz GLC since it offers a lot of luxury and technology for the money. Owner reviews praise the quiet cabin, upgraded stereo system, along with the advanced safety features.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Interior cabin materials are very luxurious, the seats are supportive on longer drives, although cargo space is lower than some competitors.
- Reliability 7/10 – There are not any major issues found on the 2019 Mercedes GLC, although repair costs are higher than a lot of competitors. Models from 2016–2022 are all reasonably reliable as they age.
- Performance 9/10 – The base engines offer decent power, but the high-performance AMG GLC 63 is one of the quickest small luxury SUVs on the market.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2019 GLC is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with automatic emergency braking along with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control as well as lane keep assist.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 24 MPG, offering 417 miles of range out of the 17.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $16 higher than average, at $252 per month.
- Value 7/10 – The 2019 Mercedes GLC has faster depreciation rates than a lot of other small luxury SUVs, lowering its overall value score slightly.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Mercedes GLC?
- Consumer Reports says the 2019 Mercedes GLC offers nice driving dynamics with a comfortable cabin, and good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the GLC at 3.7/5, enjoying the balance of comfort and performance, but doesn’t like that the technology system is sometimes tricky to use.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the GLC a 3.9/5, praising the classy interior for the money, but owners don’t like the relatively small cargo area.
What Common Problems Does the 2019 Mercedes GLC Have?
Common problems found on the 2019 Mercedes Benz GLC include check engine lights, the windows not rolling down, along with the stereo system freezing. Overall, these problems are similar to other small luxury SUVs, although repair costs are more expensive than average due to the high parts and labor costs.
Check engine lights are the most widespread complaint on the 2019 Mercedes GLC, showing up within the first 25,000 miles. There are a lot of reasons a check engine light may turn on, so you will need to use an OBD-II scan tool to diagnose the issue. Once you know the source of the problem then repairing it can cost $20 to $800, depending on the issue.
The windows not rolling down has also been reported by some 2019 GLC owners at around 30,000 miles. Worn-out window motors are usually the source of the problem. Replacing them costs around $550, depending on local labor rates.
A frozen stereo system shows up on some GLC models as well within the first 1,000 miles. There are software updates available for the stereo system which improve the reliability of it. Most dealerships will update the software for free, while others charge around $100 for labor.
There are 12 recalls on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC, which is worse than a lot of other luxury SUVs on the market. The most serious recalls cover a loss of power steering, which can increase the risk of an accident. Mercedes will replace the steering units on affected models for free. Other recalls cover various software system issues, the roof panel, and even a fuel leak at the fuel rails.
How Long Will the 2019 Mercedes GLC Last?
A well-maintained 2019 Mercedes GLC can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than other luxury SUVs like the Lexus RX. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than average according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $1,013 per year.
As a used 2019 GLC reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history owners should be prepared to replace the oxygen sensors for $300, water pump costing $850, along with the alternator which costs around $1,300.
Not reliable. Sensor continually went off shutting down electric controls panel. Supposedly a wire was exposed and burned out.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good on entry-level GLC models with a standard 7-inch infotainment display. Optional upgrades include a larger 8.4-inch central display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a high-end Burmester sound system.
Standard safety technology is excellent, and includes:
- Rearview camera
- Automatic emergency braking
- Crosswind assist
- Forward collision warning
- Driver attention monitoring
- Mercedes Pre-Safe which tightens the seat belts
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Blind spot monitoring
- Head-up display
- Automatic parking assist
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Lane keep assist
- Speed limit recognition
Is the 2019 Mercedes GLC a Good Value?
Yes, the 2019 Mercedes GLC is a good value since it offers a lot of luxury features and technology for the money. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $24,850 to $72,500, making it more than an Acura MDX or Cadillac XT5. When new, the price range was $40,700 to $81,800. Depreciation is worse than some other luxury SUVs, losing about 13% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Mercedes GLC?
There are four main models of the 2019 Mercedes GLC offered from the entry-level GLC 300, through to the very strong GLC 63 AMG. The GLC comes standard with rear-wheel drive while all-wheel drive (known as 4Matic) is available as an optional upgrade.
GLC 300 is the entry-level model with:
- Exterior:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Roof rails
- Adaptive suspension damping (not driver-selectable)
- Power liftgate
- Power-folding mirrors (with auto-dimming on the driver side)
- Automatic wipers
- Interior:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Power-adjustable steering wheel
- Adjustable drive settings
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Driver-seat memory settings
- Heated front seats
- 40/20/40-split power-folding rear seats
- 115-volt household power outlet
- Simulated-leather upholstery (MB-Tex)
- Keyless ignition
- Tech Features:
- 7-inch infotainment display
- Mbrace Connect (includes smartphone app integration)
- Two USB ports
- Eight-speaker sound system with HD radio and media player interface
- Safety Features:
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Driver attention monitor
GLC 350e Plug-In Hybrid is a fuel-efficient model which has:
- Powertrain:
- Electric motor and battery pack paired to a four-cylinder
- 4Matic AWD standard
- Electric-only range: 10 miles
- Combined MPG: 25
- Equipment: Similar to the GLC 300
AMG GLC 43 is a sportier model with:
- Exterior and Performance:
- 20-inch wheels
- Sport-tuned air suspension
- Upgraded brakes
- Interior:
- Sport steering wheel
- Simulated-suede seat inserts
- Dash and door trim finished in MB-Tex
- Contents of the GLC 300’s Premium package (blind-spot monitoring, keyless ignition and entry, and satellite radio)
AMG GLC 63 is the high performance version which adds:
- Performance:
- Further upgraded brakes
- LED headlights
- Mechanical limited-slip differential
- Variable torque distribution for the all-wheel-drive system
- Tech and Audio:
- 14-speaker premium Burmester surround-sound system
Additional Packages Available Across GLC Lineup
- Driver Assistance package:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keeping assist
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking
- Adds contents of the Premium package to the GLC 300
- Advanced Parking Assist package:
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Automated parking system
- Hands-free liftgate
- Exterior Lighting package:
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam control
- Off-Road Engineering package (GLC 300 4Matic only):
- Multiple off-road vehicle settings
- Hill descent control
- Underbody guard
- Special off-roading setting for the headlights when paired with Exterior Lighting package
- Multimedia package:
- Navigation system
- Touchpad controller
- 4-inch central display screen
- Additional Options:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- 21-inch wheels
- Night package (glossy-black exterior elements)
- AMG Line for GLC 300: interior and exterior appearance mods, flat-bottom steering wheel, GLC 43’s upgraded brakes
- Luxury enhancements: tri-zone climate control, cabin fragrance/air purification, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rear side-window shades, various trim accents, multiple premium leather upholsteries (with adjustable passenger thigh support and memory settings)
- Performance exhaust system exclusive for AMG models
What Engines Come In the Mercedes GLC?
- GLC 300 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4: This engine delivers 241 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft of torque at up to 24 MPG. It comes mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLC 300 can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in around 6.3 seconds.
- GLC 43 AMG 3.0L V6 Biturbo: The more performance-oriented variant, the GLC 43 AMG, comes with a 3.0L V6 Biturbo engine producing 362 horsepower and 384 lb.-ft of torque while getting 21 MPG. This is paired with an AMG-enhanced nine-speed automatic transmission. Its 0-60 MPH acceleration is a brisk 4.8 seconds.
- GLC 63 AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo: At the top of the range, the GLC 63 AMG boasts a powerful 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine, churning out 469 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft of torque, and gets 18 MPG. It comes with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT nine-speed transmission. This beast can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds.
- GLC 350e Plug-In Hybrid: This eco-friendly variant pairs a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 with an electric motor, offering a combined output of 320 horsepower and 413 lb.-ft of torque. Using a nine-speed automatic transmission, it boasts a combined fuel economy that is considerably higher, thanks to its electric assistance of 56 MPGe. The 0-60 mph time for this model is around 6.2 seconds.
What Colors Does the Mercedes GLC Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Mercedes GLC?
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC epitomizes luxury and comfort in the realm of compact SUVs. Designed with a focus on passenger well-being, the interior boasts high-quality materials, meticulous craftsmanship, and an ergonomic layout. The seats are plush, supportive, and can be adjusted in multiple ways to cater to various body types and preferences. Both the front and rear seating areas provide ample legroom and headroom, making long journeys pleasurable for all passengers.
The ride quality is smooth and refined, with the suspension adeptly absorbing road imperfections, guaranteeing a serene driving experience. Furthermore, the cabin is remarkably quiet, thanks to superior insulation and sound-deadening materials, effectively minimizing road, wind, and engine noise. Additionally, the climate control system works efficiently to maintain the desired temperature, while the available heated and ventilated seats further enhance the comfort level. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC offers an environment of relaxation and tranquility, making every journey a delightful experience.
How Much Storage Space Does the Mercedes GLC Have?
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC is a luxury compact SUV that offers a good blend of comfort, style, and practical storage solutions. For cargo space, the GLC provides 19.4 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats. When the rear seats are folded down, this space expands to an impressive 56.5 cubic feet. To give a practical sense of its capacity, this means you can easily fit large suitcases, golf bags, or even a bicycle with the front wheel removed when the rear seats are folded.
Apart from the main cargo area, the GLC also has numerous smaller storage areas throughout the cabin. These include door pockets, a spacious glovebox, center console storage, and cup holders. The cubbies and compartments are designed to conveniently stow away items like smartphones, wallets, bottles, and other everyday essentials, keeping the interior organized and clutter-free. Overall, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC guarantees that passengers not only travel in luxury but also have ample space for their belongings.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC was launched for the 2016 model year, and replaces the older GLK model.
2016: First model for the Mercedes GLC with new technology, styling, and upgraded cabin from the outgoing GLK.
2017: More powerful AMG GLC 43 model introduced, small shuffling of available features.
2018: The GLC 350e plug-in hybrid model was introduced, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added, and this is the first year for the sportier AMG GLC 63.
2019: Heated front seats and a household outlet are now standard, there’s also an available off-road engineering package.
2020: Advanced MBUX infotainment system added to the lineup, and a stronger four-cylinder engine.
2021: The GLC 350e plug-in hybrid model was discontinued.
How Does the Mercedes GLC Compare to the Competition?
The 2019 Mercedes GLC is a nice small luxury SUV, offering a good mix of upscale interior materials, technology, and performance on the higher-end AMG models, although the ownership costs get expensive as it ages.
The Audi Q5 is a slightly smaller SUV which can be found for around $3,500 less. The Audi Q5 is better in the snow thanks to its all-wheel drive system, while the Mercedes GLC offers a more luxurious interior. We recommend the Mercedes GLC since it offers more luxury, although it’s worth testing both to see which you prefer.
The Mercedes GLE is a larger SUV offered by Mercedes for around $5,000 more. Passenger room is better in the Mercedes GLE, while the Mercedes GLC is more responsive on winding roads. We recommend the Mercedes GLC, unless you are looking for the extra space found in the GLE since they are both very similar regarding overall quality.
Do Owners Recommend the Mercedes GLC?
Ergonomically not good. Too often I turn on cruise control when I move to turn on turn indicator. Other than that, which is dangerous, yes it is a good car.