DecodedCars2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 300 4matic 4dr SUV, 300 4matic Coupe, 350e 4matic 4dr SUV, 43 Amg 4matic 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 22 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 183.5–186.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,977–4,555 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 15 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,977 lb (300 4matic 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 29 highway), 5% worse than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
What changed for 2021
- No plug-in hybrid version any more
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 GLC-Class →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 4matic 4dr SUV | 183.5 in | 74.4 in | 64.6 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 3,977 lb | 53/47 |
| 300 4matic Coupe | 186.2 in | 74.4 in | 63 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 4,028 lb | 53/47 |
| 350e 4matic 4dr SUV | 183.5 in | 74.4 in | 64.6 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 4,555 lb | 50/50 |
| 43 Amg 4matic 4dr SUV | 183.5 in | 74.4 in | 64.2 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 4,191 lb | 53/47 |
| 43 Amg 4matic Coupe | 186.2 in | 74.4 in | 63 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 4,235 lb | 53/47 |
| 63 S Amg 4matic 4dr SUV | 183.5 in | 74.4 in | 64.2 in | 113 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 4,546 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLC300 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | -5% | $3,300 | 360 |
| GLC300 4matic Coupe | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | 0% | $3,400 | 363 |
| GLC300 4matic | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 23 | -4% | $3,550 | 379 |
| AMG GLC43 4matic | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | -16% | $4,100 | 438 |
| AMG GLC43 4matic Coupe | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -16% | $4,100 | 445 |
| AMG GLC63 4matic Plus | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -29% | $4,850 | 513 |
| AMG GLC63 4matic Plus Coupe | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -29% | $4,850 | 512 |
| AMG GLC63 S 4matic Plus Coupe | 4.0L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -29% | $4,850 | 512 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.
Similar 2021 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class (this car) | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model Y | 326 mi | Not rated | 23 |
| 2021 Land Rover Defender | 19 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2021 BMW X3 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 10 |
| 2021 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2021 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other GLC-Class years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 GLC-Class | 27 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 GLC-Class | 27 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 GLC-Class | 27 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 GLC-Class | 29 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 GLC-Class | 28 | 186.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 GLC-Class | 24 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 GLC-Class | 25 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 GLC-Class | 25 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 GLC-Class | 25 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 GLC-Class | 24 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 13 |
| 2016 GLC-Class | 24 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →