Mercedes GLC Caught In The Wild - Does BMW's X3 Stand A Chance?

The wraps are finally off Mercedes' new challenger in the popular midsize premium SUV market, and this time it'll be coming to the UK in late 2015.

The Mercedes GLC replaces the outgoing GLK, which never made it to our shores due to issues with right-hand drive conversion. The car uses a new modular platform and is expected to be priced from around £30,000.

Based on the current C-Class compact executive saloon and borrowing the same Mercedes trademark front-end, the GLC ditches the old non-UK car's boxy profile for a softer, curvier appearance. It sits lower to the ground than some SUVs, and that's likely to aid on-road handling, but still offers the raised driving position required of vehicles in this class.

Car4Life - 2/27/2015 5:13:25 PM

+1 Boost

hmmm...if they price it right, and it's as practical as it appears, Benz could bite into some of Lexus soccer mom club currently lining up for NX and RX models

valhallakey - 2/27/2015 5:19:03 PM

+1 Boost

The market for luxury SUVs is nicely fragmented… nothing really stands out as the best and they are all more a matter of taste. Some will like this, some the X3, some the NX or RX, some the RR Evoque etc….

cidflekken - 2/27/2015 5:22:49 PM

+1 Boost

The outgoing model's boxy styling was appealing in a unique way, despite being reminiscent of the Forester. I wish Mercedes had not gone away from that, as the new model seems to be homogenized to the segment. It now has a likeness to the Q5 and Macan, though I do like the curve line of the greenhouse extending from the B-pillar to the rear, which is almost now vintage Benz. It'll be interesting now where they take the next new iteration of the ML since this one seems to be encroaching on its size.

CarCrazedinCali - 2/27/2015 5:51:43 PM

+1 Boost

undoubtedly it does

atc98092 - 2/27/2015 7:17:43 PM

+1 Boost

My wife never cared for the styling of the GLK. Have to see what she thinks of this one.

My old boss (retired) had a GLK. Traded it in for a Tiguan. That doesn't speak well for the Merc.

cidflekken - 2/28/2015 12:35:54 AM

+1 Boost

Well, I don't really think that Benz gives a hoot about one customer who trades down to an inferior product.

delan - 2/28/2015 12:43:02 AM

+2 Boost

....Or maybe it doesn't speak well for how well he saved for retirement.

atc98092 - 3/1/2015 6:28:36 PM

+1 Boost

He can afford to buy anything he wants, and is doing just fine in retirement. If he felt the Tiguan was not inferior, that says something about the GLK. At least the one he had. Can't tell you what year it was, but it was before the diesel was available.

TheSteve - 2/28/2015 7:01:39 AM

+1 Boost

I like the look a lot more than the current GLK, which looks boxy with loads of sharp creases. The BMW X3's appearance is more edgy, so I believe this MB might be more of a competitor to the 2015 Audi Q5. BTW, Audi is moving firmly in the direction of harder lines, sharp creases, and abundant trapezoids. Yech.