2026 · Compact luxury SUV
Mercedes-Benz GLC: stopping, space, visibility and safety, measured
A 255-hp mild-hybrid turbo four, or a 313-hp plug-in with 54 electric miles.
Figures are for the GLC 300 4MATIC (2 trims in the catalog, listed below). Last checked Oct 3, 2026.
Where it stands among compact SUVs
- #2 of 15Braking 70–0 mph, tested: 161 ft
- #3 of 17Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction: 345 ft
- #8 of 17Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver: +0.4 in
- #2 of 13Fastest you can stop inside the low beams: 78 mph
Ranked against the default trim of every compact SUV in the catalog that has the figure.
At a glance
| Starting price, this trim | $52,800PublishedMercedes |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2.0 L turbo four (M254) + 48-V integrated starter-generator (up to 23 hp / 148 lb-ft boost), mild hybrid · 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive |
| 0–60 mph, tested or claimed | 5.7 sTestedCar and Driver |
| Braking 70–0 mph, tested | 161 ft (49.1 m)TestedCar and Driver |
| EPA combined | 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA |
| Cargo behind the second row | 21.9 cu ft (620 L)PublishedMercedes |
| Large suitcases, packed | 3Simulatedfrom Mercedes |
| Seats | 5Published |
| Crash ratings | IIHS Top Safety Pick |
Acceleration
Why some cars pin you to the seat and others just hum along.
| Power | 255 hp (190 kW)PublishedMercedes |
|---|---|
| Torque | 295 lb-ft (400 Nm)PublishedMercedes |
| 0–60 mph, tested or claimed | 5.7 sTestedCar and Driver |
| 0–60 mph, our simulation | 5.8 sSimulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Passing, 50–70 mph | 4.5 sTestedCar and Driver |
| Quarter mile | 14.4 sTestedCar and Driver |
Braking and stopping distance
The distance between "I saw it" and "I stopped" decides everything.
| Braking 70–0 mph, tested | 161 ft (49.1 m)TestedCar and Driver |
|---|---|
| Braking 60–0 mph, tested | 109 ft (33.2 m)TestedMotorTrend |
| Wet road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction | 345 ft (105.0 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Dry road from 70 mph, 1 s reaction | 264 ft (80.3 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Packed snow from 30 mph, 1 s reaction | 230 ft (70.1 m)Simulatedfrom Car and Driver |
Rollover
Where the weight sits decides how easily a car falls over.
| Sideways slide that trips it into a roll | 12 mph (19 km/h)Simulated, estimated inputs |
|---|---|
| Static stability factor (half-track ÷ CoG height) | 1.26Simulated, estimated inputs |
Efficiency and running costs
At highway speed most of your energy is spent shoving air.
| EPA combined | 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km)PublishedEPA |
|---|---|
| Fuel or charging, 15,000 mi a year | $2,583/yrDerivedEPA |
| Steady 75 mph, our simulation | 31 mpg (7.6 L/100 km)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Drag coefficient | 0.29PublishedMercedes |
Grip, snow and maneuvering
Four palm-sized patches of rubber. Every maneuver spends their grip.
| Skidpad grip, tested | 0.88 gTestedCar and Driver |
|---|---|
| Cornering grip, our simulation | 0.88 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Pulling away on packed snow | 0.17 gSimulatedfrom Car and Driver |
| Turning circle | 38.7 ft (11.8 m)PublishedMercedes |
| Ground clearance | 7.4 in (19 cm)PublishedFields Motorcars (dealer spec data) |
| Tires | Continental EcoContact 6 MO 255/45R20 F / 285/40R20 R · 255/45R20 F / 285/40R20 RTestedCar and Driver |
Space, luggage and fit
Will your knees, your luggage and your kids actually fit?
| Seats | 5Published |
|---|---|
| Large suitcases, packed | 3Simulatedfrom Mercedes |
| Carry-ons in the space left | 0Simulatedfrom Mercedes |
| Cargo behind the second row | 21.9 cu ft (620 L)PublishedMercedes |
| Cargo, seats folded | 56.3 cu ft (1,594 L)PublishedMercedes |
| Towing | 3,500 lb (1,588 kg)PublishedMercedes |
| Driver head room, 6 ft 4 in driver | +0.4 in (1 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Driver head room, 5 ft 11 in driver | +2.7 in (7 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Driver head room, 5 ft 4 in driver | +5.7 in (14 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Rear head room, 5 ft 11 in passenger | +2.2 in (6 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Rear knee room, 5 ft 11 in behind 5 ft 11 in | +2.1 in (5 cm)Simulated, estimated inputs |
| Rear head and knee, 6 ft 4 in behind 6 ft 4 in | −0.3 in head · −2.2 in kneeSimulated, estimated inputs |
| Front head room, published | 41.3 in (105 cm)PublishedMercedes |
| Rear head room, published | 39.7 in (101 cm)PublishedMercedes |
| Rear leg room, published | 37.4 in (95 cm)PublishedMercedes |
Visibility
Every car hides some of the road. How much, and who could be standing in it?
| Road hidden in front of the bumper, 5 ft 9 in driver | 25 ft (7.7 m)Simulated |
|---|---|
| Ground visible within 33 ft ahead | 34%Simulated |
Headlights and night stopping
IIHS measured how far these headlights reach. Can you stop inside that light?
| IIHS headlight rating | GoodTestedIIHS |
|---|---|
| Low beams, straight road (right edge) | 374 ft (114.0 m)TestedIIHS |
| Fastest you can stop inside the low beams | 78 mph (126 km/h)Simulatedfrom IIHS |
| High beams, straight road (right edge) | 477 ft (145.5 m)TestedIIHS |
Crash safety
Official crash ratings side by side, and the physics of what happens when two cars meet.
| IIHS small overlap front | GoodTestedIIHS |
|---|---|
| IIHS moderate overlap front (updated) | GoodTestedIIHS |
| IIHS side (updated) | GoodTestedIIHS |
| IIHS award | 2026 Top Safety PickPublishedIIHS |
| Curb weight | 4,406 lb (1,999 kg)TestedCar and Driver |
GLC compared
Trims in the catalog
- GLC 300 4MATIC · from $52,800 · figures on this page
- GLC 350e 4MATIC · from $61,550
Other compact SUVs
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz USA (media.mbusa.com): 2026 Mercedes-Benz model line updates and pricing (GLC 300 4MATIC $51,550, GLC 350e 4MATIC $60,300; excludes $1,250 destination) (2025-09)
- Car and Driver: Tested: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic Adds Junk to the Trunk (2023-05)
- US EPA (fueleconomy.gov): 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4matic ratings (2026-10)
- Mercedes-Benz USA: GLC 300 4MATIC SUV specifications (mbusa.com, now showing model year 2027) (2026-10)
- MotorTrend: 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic First Test (2023-05)
- Mercedes-Benz AG (press kit): The new GLC: press kit (Cd 0.29, frontal area 2.60 m², dimensions) (2022-06)
- Fields Motorcars (dealer spec data): 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 SUV showroom: off-road geometry (187 mm max ground clearance) (2026-10)
- IIHS: 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 4-door SUV ratings (apply to 2023–26 / 2024–26 models) (2026-10)
- IIHS: IIHS pushes improvements in crash avoidance with 2026 awards (Mar 24, 2026) (2026-03)
Badges: Published figures come from the maker, a regulator or a rating agency; Tested from an independent instrumented test; Simulated are computed by our physics from those inputs (how); Estimate means no published value exists. Confirm figures with the maker or your dealer before you buy.