We recently just took a look at the latest crossover from Stuttgart, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, which will compete with the BMW X4 when it finally hits showrooms. The GLC Coupe is based off of the standard GLC Class crossover, which competes with the BMW X3, but the GLC Coupe has a sportier coupe-like body style to it. It’s very clear that the Mercedes GLC Coupe was inspired by the BMW X4 directly, as it’s nearly identical in shape and proportion. But imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, is it not?
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If that’s the case, the BMW should be downright blush at the moment, as it’s so very clear where Mercedes-Benz got its inspiration from. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Admittedly, the GLC Coupe isn’t Merc’s best design, but it isn’t an ugly car. We do feel that the X4 wears the coupe-like SUV look better than the GLC Coupe, but that has to do with the X4 just looking more aggressive than the GLC. Don’t mistake me, neither are pretty cars. The X4 just has a bit more of a sporty, utilitarian look to it, while the GLC Coupe just looks a bit bloated and useless.
While the exterior of the two cars are incredibly similar, the interior of both cars couldn’t be more different. The BMW X4 carries over its sportiness to the inside, where things are simple and to the point. The quality is great and the design is sharp, but it’s not the nicest interior in the world, as it doesn’t seem like it was meant to be. The cabin of the GLC Coupe is a very different animal. While some may not like the overall design, something I’m not entirely sold on yet either, the fit, finish and materials are all absolutely top notch. Touch anything, anywhere inside the cabin and you’re met with soft, rich materials, whether they be leather, wood or metal. It’s a wonderfully well done cabin. The back seat is more capacious that originally anticipated and there’s a surprising amount of rear headroom. A fellow journalist who claimed to be 6′ 1″ had a perfectly easy time sitting upright in the back seat with headroom to spare.
So the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe seems like a fine car, one that is probably a bit unnecessary and is a blatant copy of the BMW X4, but a fine luxury SUV nonetheless. The BMW X4 looks better on the outside but it’s interior is worse. They even out in turns of looks and design, so it’s going to have to come down to those pesky driving dynamics to separate them. The BMW X4 is a very good handling SUV, surprisingly, and can be a lot of fun, so the Merc has a lot to live up to. We’ll have to drive a GLC Coupe before we comment on its dynamics and handling ability, but until then we can say that it’s a modestly attractive SUV coupe with a fantastic interior that should compete well against the BMW X4.
[Source: BimmerToday]
BMW can take credit for starting the SUV coupe crossover segment, and with the GLE and now the GLC coupe Mercedes has entered the segment, not built a blatant copy. And the criticisms I read in the article are an echo of the same criticisms I’ve read about the X4, and especially the X6. The Mercedes looks really good, and the X3/X4 hasn’t exactly lived up to the BMW badge. They come off as cheap plastic SUVs, when they should be the 3-Series of SUVs.
BMW should work out on its interior designs and quality, they do amazing interior on concepts but they always fail to bring such quality and designs to the actual product.
I’ve been unimpressed with BMW interiors for a while now, but in all fairness if the GLC interior is anything like the GLA interior there’s plenty of hard plastic there as well. I’ll have to go check one out with my own eyes (and hands).
It’s a shame because I’m actually in the market for a crossover like these for downtown commute driving, but I’m leaning towards the Evoque to handle winter/spring pothole and urban construction driving.