The Mercedes-Benz GLC has a reputation for being a capable all-rounder, carefully balancing practicality, performance, driving enjoyment, and prestige in good measure. But at a price of around RM 380k - which is a lot - does it also stand out as a great SUV for the family?

To find out, I took the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 on a real-world test during a recent family trip to Penang, carrying 3 adults and 2 restless children, no less. As with any other family car buyer, I needed a safe, practical, and spacious SUV that could also handle highway cruising and the odd overtake without breaking a sweat.

Also read: Cheaper by RM 51k, CKD 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC (X254) launched in Malaysia

Driving the 2024 GLC 300 highlighted five key areas it performed remarkably, and a few areas where it could be better. Let’s explore whether the Merc GLC remains the go-to premium mid-sized SUV in 2024.

Pros: More cruiser than bruiser, but that’s what you need

Covering over 800 km during the journey, the 2024 GLC 300 proved to be a superb cruiser on the highway and likewise the busy streets of Penang. With 258 PS and 400 Nm of torque on tap, it makes light work of getting up to the speed limit and will happily sustain it all day if needed.

Also read: Review: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic - Expensive, but it does one thing no rivals do

Given its smooth 9-speed automatic transmission, it shifts through the gears without any noticeable jolts. Also, given its quick-acting paddle shifters, it’s easy to drop 1- or 2-gears to swiftly overtake slower cars or to climb a steep hill.

Moreover, the GLC 300 delivered impressive fuel efficiency. The engine revs hover at just over 1,500 rpm at 110 km/h, optimizing fuel economy.

The journey from KL to Penang consumed less than half a tank, achieving an average fuel economy of 7.8 litres/100 km. With city driving consumption dipped slightly, but it still managed a quoted 8.9 litres/100 km over the entire (863 km) distance.

Pros: More modern Mercs need to drive like the GLC

The 2024 GLC 300's powerplant complements its comfortable and refined driving experience. The suspension (which is passive, not adaptive) does a brilliant job of filtering out road imperfections whilst keeping the SUV planted at higher speeds.

Though it’s not a backroad bruiser, you can still guide the GLC 300 at a brisk pace on pretty much any road. Steering is quick but body movements are nicely controlled, thus it doesn’t feel too ‘rolly-polly’ on undulating roads.

Matching this is a well-built and very refined interior, there’s little if any road or wind noise at highway speeds which in turn delivers a cossetting cabin space that allows the kids to relax, even over a longer journey.

Pros: Enough space for 5, with luggage in tow

Where it matters most, the 2024 GLC 300 offers a practical and well-packaged interior that comfortably accommodates 5 passengers, inclusive of 1 child seat at the rear. Round the back, there is adequate head- and kneeroom without adjusting the front seats for more space.

Add to this, the supple yet supportive seats in both the front and rear, and the 2024 GLC 300 proved to be more than up to the challenge.

We would have hoped for more space in the centre console, which becomes limited for stuff like your wallet and SmartTag once you place 2 coffee cups in the drink holders. That said, there was adequate space for 1.5-litre water bottles in the door bins.

And perhaps most important was the boot space – given the long and adequately wide boot floor, it swallowed two large suitcases, a stroller and numerous bags that carried everything from clothes to even a milk bottle sanitiser.

With a decent amount of shimmying, everything would eventually fit in the 2024 GLC 300.

Pros: Features and equipment that ease the driving experience

Besides its performance, space and overall refinement – the 2024 GLC 300 also impresses due to its creature comforts and nicely equipped feature package.

On the outside, there is the Adaptive Digital Light LED headlights which offers stellar visibility at night and useful hands-free tailgate access, the latter of which was not offered on the earlier CBU version.

Once inside, the panoramic roof (also unavailable on the CBU version) and 15-speaker Burmester 3D sound system stand out as the highlights. Not to mention, the nicely angled 11.9-inch portrait infotainment display easily allows you to move between the multimedia functions and the navigation which are both vital on a long-distance drive.

Pros: It delivers classic Mercedes style and presence

Featuring the AMG Line bodykit and superb-looking 20-inch wheels which are well proportioned to the body, the 2024 GLC 300 looks elegant without being overly flashy, so it’s a car for the more grown-up sort.

It still gets looks when you pull up to a hotel lobby and though it’s no taller than the first-generation GLC, the new car seemingly has a taller stature and presence than the older model.

With that said, it's not out of place at an old pasar pagi, still managing to fit in tight-ish parking spaces.

What are the downsides of the 2024 GLC 300?

Of course, no car is perfect, but the GLC 300's main faults are common bugbears also found in other current Mercedes-Benz models.

Cons: Cool-looking central AC vents that aren't very effective

Notably, the central AC vents; as cool as they look, the central AC vents do not funnel air around the cabin quite effectively, and the same goes for the rear.

Thus, the AC blower is constantly on high (at least speed 5/7) at mid-day to keep the car cool, which doesn’t help fuel economy.

Cons: Finicky haptic steering wheel controls

Finally, the haptic steering wheel controls make you long for good 'ol physical controls.

The touch-sensitive controls are quite sensitive and your fingers naturally pass across them when moving the wheel. Thus, you'd commonly end up increasing the volume or switching between infotainment features simply when trying to park the car.

Though it’s no deal breaker, it can be quite an annoyance at times.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 still strikes a sweet spot between practicality, spaciousness and driving performance.

However, it doesn’t come cheap, but the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 still does one thing better than any of its rivals (the BMW X3 and Audi Q5) – it makes you feel special on the roads, and much of this comes down to how refined and enjoyable the driving experience is.

It's a complete car, even if you look at the entire Mercedes-Benz range, few others stand out as a consummate all-rounder like the GLC 300. It may even be the pick of the bunch if you ask me.