2020 Mercedes GLC Gets New Tech And A Blink-And-You-Miss-It Styling Refresh

The facelifted 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC has just premiered as next week’s Geneva Motor Show inches closer.

Mercedes-Benz dropped a teaser video of the updated model yesterday but unfortunately, it offered few details about the vehicle’s new exterior. As we suspected, however, the 2020 GLC doesn’t look any different than the outgoing model, unless you really look hard, but it does borrow some fresher styling details from the larger Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Familiar Mercedes-Benz SUV looks

For example, the front of the facelifted GLC now includes a similar grille to the GLE, complete with two silver horizontal slats. The GLC’s hood also features similar character lines to its larger sibling. In addition, there is a hint of the smaller Mercedes-Benz GLA facelift in the GLC’s redesigned front bumper. Different headlights with incorporated LED daytime running lights have also been fitted by the German automaker.

The side profile of the SUV has gone largely unchanged but Mercedes has made some alterations to the rear, namely with the fitment of different taillights. A range of new wheel designs have also been designed for AMG Line-badged models.

Let’s take a look inside

Of far more importance than the exterior modifications is what’s going on in the cabin of the facelifted GLC. The new SUV comes standard with the brand’s MBUX infotainment system which consists of a sleek multimedia display that includes gesture and voice control functionality.

Customers can also option a fully-digital, 12.3-inch instrument cluster to sit alongside the MBUX free standing 10.25-inch display. Other interior upgrades include a new multifunction steering wheel and a multifunction touchpad on the center console.

New 2.0-liter turbo four for GLC300

Sales of the Mercedes-Benz GLC will initially start in select markets in GLC 220d, GLC 300 4MATIC, and GLC 300d 4MATIC guises but in the United States, the SUV will only be sold in GLC 300 rear-wheel drive and 4MATIC forms. These two gasoline models use the newer M264 engine 2.0-liter turbo inline-four engine with 255 hp and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque, 14 hp and 2 lb-ft of torque more than the outgoing model.

As for the GLC 220 d and GLC 300d 4MATIC models that will be sold outside of the U.S., both use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Power for the GLC 220d sits at 191 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) while the GLC 300d 4MATIC pumps out 241 hp and 368 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. A small electric motor is also found in the petrol 300 models sold outside the U.S., powering the 48-volt electrical system, doubling as a starter motor, lowering fuel consumption, and adding 110 lb-ft (150 Nm) of torque when it’s needed.

Mercedes-Benz has also outfitted the new GLC with a range of safety features, including Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Lane Change Assist.

The facelifted GLC also includes a new Dynamic Select system which responds to the requests of the driver and seamlessly adjusts the handling settings to suit particular road conditions. Alterations have also been made to the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system and three-stage ESP which offers Sport and Sport+ drive modes.

U.S. sales of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC will start in the United States in late 2019.