The Big Impact

Be it city or off-road driving, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class offers speed, safety, and the marque’s reputed safety

- James Deakin

When most people think of Mercedes-Benz, the image that often comes to mind is that of a stately sedan. From the S-Class—that has been the choice of many a head of state, business tycoon, and the like—to the E-Class that has been among its best-selling models, and even to the smaller C-Class, the Mercedes-Benz sedan has been the aspirational car for many the world over.

While the sedan continues to appear in the three-pointed star line-up, today’s automotive consumer tends to gravitate towards the Sport Utility Vehicle. Yes, SUVs are practically all over the place, coming in every imaginable size and form possible, and Mercedes-Benz will not be an exception to the trend.

It all began with the G-Wagen, which first saw daylight in 1979. While its design has hardly changed over its 40-year history, the Gellandawagen (off-road vehicle in English) has gained a whole lot of tech and luxury within that brawny shell. This has allowed it to ferry adventure seekers to virtually anywhere they choose to tread—roads be damned.

Of course, anyone who has seen a G-Wagen will note that it may be too much of an acquired taste for most folks. So, Merc has come up with the likes of the GLC-Class. Appearing in compact SUV guise, the GLC-Class is just the right size for the urban jungle yet won’t be left behind when heading off the beaten path.

Taking its cue from the now-defunct GLK-Class, the exterior itself is a lot softer and seems to appeal to a wider audience. The trademark Mercedes-Benz grille upfront with the three-pointed star sitting proudly in the centre greets onlookers and tells the world you’re driving something a bit more special. This is flanked by a pair of upswept LED headlights that are complemented by a lower bumper that feature large air intakes. While these air inlets are more for aesthetics, they do help feed air to the brakes and engine.