2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe First Drive Review: Is This The Best AMG SUV For India?

If you’re in the market for a fast, stylish coupe SUV, the Germans are still your best bet. The BMW X6 was the first to arrive on the scene in 2008, and since then, its every iteration has only become more popular and quicker. Introduced in 2017, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 coupe became the first model in the range to be locally manufactured in the country. Based on the C 43 sedan, the GLC 43 SUV coupe is now in its second generation and has undergone a lot of changes. It now features updated styling, a revised interior layout, and a smaller 2.0-litre four-pot engine with an electric turbocharger instead of the previous version’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine.

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The question now is whether this new GLC 43 is a more practical option within the AMG line-up, or if the AMG-built C 43 sedan remains the better choice. Let’s find out!

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2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe First Drive Review: Exterior Design & Features

I think designing a coupe-SUV is one thing, but executing that idea into a good-looking, mass-produced vehicle is quite another – in fact, it’s far more challenging. I think the GLC 43 coupe is one of the best-looking models in its segment. It’s not large by any means, but it strikes a nice balance with its proportionate stance and a commanding road presence. The front end is dominated by a large grill opening, flanked by chrome-plated vertical slats. Adding to the aggressive design is a blacked-out diffuser running across the width of the car, with two tiny winglets on either side. The rear end features quad exhaust tips, a large blacked-out diffuser, and an AMG-specific lip spoiler, all of which add to the overall aggressive appeal of the car.

The new GLC 43 coupe comes with the Night Package as standard, which includes Mercedes Digital Light headlights. These lights feature a staggering one million LED light pixels per unit, providing superb illumination in every direction – a definite advantage on Indian roads. The Night Package also replaces a lot of chrome bits with blacked-out elements, adding extra flair. Our test car featured the larger 21-inch optional aluminium alloy wheels with a two-tone finish and aero-efficient discs, and let me just say that they look really good. The GLC 43 coupe is available in nine colours, with five standard and four optional add-ons. What you see on these pages is the optional High-Tech Silver Magno, which really complements the car’s aggressive  and imposing design.

2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe First Drive Review: Interior Design & Features

While the GLC 43 coupe’s exterior design is distinctive, its interior design, sadly, follows the same formula as other vehicles in the current Mercedes range. Consequently, what you get is an interior that looks almost identical to that of other Mercedes models, with just a few additional features here and there. That’s not to say that the cabin doesn’t look premium or inviting, it’s just that a bit more distinction between models would be welcome. The AMG-line interior fittings bring some variations, though, with carbon fibre and Alcantara finishes on the steering wheel, sports seats, AMG door sills, and an AMG-specific media display. The real highlight of the cabin is the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and vertically-mounted infotainment display combination, both of which have sharp graphics and user-friendly interfaces.

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The front seats are incredibly comfortable, offer excellent support, and come equipped with massage functions, heating/cooling, and three memory settings. What truly impresses me, though, is the space in the back. The rear seats, while sporty and supportive, are spacious enough to accommodate three adults when necessary. Rear passengers are also treated to a range of features for added comfort, including large door pockets, manually operated sun visors, and a type-C charging port. Additionally, the 15-speaker Burmester 3D sound system is a standout feature, sure to delight music lovers in any seat.

However, the coupe design does have its drawbacks, notably in the boot space, which is limited to 545 litres – 80 litres less than the standard GLC SUV. However, I honestly feel anyone who wants a GLC 43 will sacrific on the number of passengers on board over luggage space, for the sake of more performance.

2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe First Drive Review: Performance and Handling

Let’s begin with the numbers before diving into the experience. The new GLC 43 coupe, much like its sibling, the C 43 sedan, is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine instead of the V6 of the outgoing model. The engine generates 420bhp and 500Nm of torque, which can be temporarily boosted by an additional 14bhp and 150Nm courtesy of a 48V mild-hybrid system when under load. Thanks to the electric turbocharger, turbo lag is significantly reduced, especially under hard acceleration. Despite its weight, the GLC 43 coupe accelerates from a standstill impressively well. The electric turbo not only reduces lag but also maintains consistent power delivery during roll-on acceleration and gearshifts. This creates an almost addictive surge of power from the moment you press the throttle, right up to the redline at 7,000rpm.

The GLC 43 coupe offers a variety of driving modes, each effectively altering its driving characteristics. Sport, Sport+, and Race modes cater to on-road performance, sharpening the power delivery and handling. Snow mode, on the other hand, softens engine response to enhance its off-road abilities. And then there is Comfort mode, which is your go-to mode for a more relaxed driving experience, although I did notice a slight increase in turbo lag during sudden accelerations in this mode—something that’s absent in other sportier modes.

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Given its power and weight, you might expect the GLC 43 to struggle in terms of handling, which it does, but before you jump the gun and conclude against it, let me say that it actually delivers a different kind of fun. Unlike the more performance-oriented C 43 sedan, the GLC 43 coupe offers a more visceral experience when you push it. There’s enough body roll to remind you that you’re going fast, and it dances a bit when changing directions quickly. However, it can tackle various road conditions with ease, offering the freedom to push hard without worrying about being too low to the ground. Fast SUVs like the GLC 43 coupe offer a unique thrill, and this one makes a strong case for itself. The trade-off, though, is a firm ride, especially in everyday conditions. You’ll need to overlook some of its compromises to fully appreciate its potential.

2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe First Drive Review: Verdict

There’s no doubt that people have higher expectations from SUV coupes than they have from standard fast SUVs. They’re not only expected to match the practicality of a full-size SUV but also deliver enhanced performance and a sleeker, more stylish design. In my view, the new 2024 GLC 43 coupe checks all these boxes quite well. It’s a strikingly handsome vehicle with a familiar yet thoughtfully designed interior, offering plenty of performance to keep driving enthusiasts engaged. At the same time, it provides ample space and comfort for family use. Considering its price and positioning, I’d go as far as to say that this is the best SUV coupe to be sold in India to date.

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Designing a coupe-SUV is one thing, making it look good is a different ballgame altogether

Unlike the C 43, the GLC 43 offers a more visceral experience when you push it