Mercedes GLC300 Does The Job Without Fanfare

The freshly revised 2020 GLC300 compact SUV is a triumph of subtlety in the service of comfort, convenience and flexibility. When this model first appeared in 2016 to replace the tallish harshly angular GLK the new look was much smoother and organically familiar.

The $42,500 GLC300 features embellishments on the spare design, starting upfront with a smart new pair of complex LED headlamp assemblies with upper and lower daytime running light panels, atop functional air channel vents. The new squeezed down diamond pattern front grille sporting an oversized Mercedes logo, meshes nicely at the apex of a new character lined tapered hood.

Interior space and comfort is exemplary with Mercedes grade quality again emphasizing substance over style. Solid supportive leather heated and cooled front bucket seats and a rear bench comfortably accommodates 5 passengers with a 19.4 cu ft rear cargo area under the hatch that expands to 56.5 cu ft with the 2nd row folded down.

Fired by a new turbocharged 255 horsepower in-line 4 cylinder with all-wheel drive stability and ride-soothing multi-link front and rear, this is a sensible daily driver with an edge but no bling.