Mercedes-Benz GLC Wins 2017 SUV of the Year

December 12th, 2016 by

Mercedes-Benz has done it once again – the world’s most recognized luxury brand has produced the Motor Trend SUV of the Year. Recently, the prestigious industry magazine named the 2016 GLC the top SUV for the model year, as the premium crossover beat out 19 other SUVs to earn the title.

This is the third time a Mercedes-Benz SUV has won the award. Each year, Motor Trend hands out Golden Caliper awards to the best cars, trucks and SUVs based on a variety of categories, including engineering, performance, value, safety and design. Many of the 11 judges said the GLC expertly merged the E-Class chassis with the interior and styling of the C-Class, making the all-new GLC the best new introduction in the small premium SUV segment.

The 2016 GLC joins an impressive line-up of Mercedes SUVs to win the Motor Trend’s top honors. Previously, the first-generation GL Class won the award in 2007, as well as the GL’s second generation model in 2013. Before Motor Trend introduced the SUV category, Mercedes’ first SUV to hit the market, the ML320, was named the 1998 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, as well.

Performance Meets Design: 2016 GLC Features

Mercedes has played an instrumental role in creating and defining the premium crossover SUV segment. The ML Class, launched in 1998, was the world’s first, and since that time, a steady line-up of best-selling luxury crossovers have come off the line in Stuttgart.

The GLC is the latest iteration. Replacing the GLK, the GLC merges the E-Class platform with the electronics and interior of the C-Class. The result is an SUV that’s “unmistakably Mercedes,” as one judge put it.

Inside and out, the GLC is opulently appointed with the latest technology and classic Mercedes design. Compared to the boxy silhouette of the GLK, the GLC is sleeker and more refined. The sweeping roofline flows towards the rear, and the front end has been re-contoured, as well. A range of exterior options is available, including:

  • SPORT or AMG® Style packages
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • LED headlamps and tail lamps
  • Rear Spoiler

Inside, the GLC has the look and feel of a C-Class sedan. Featuring rich natural wood finishes and leatherette or Nappa Leather upholstery, the cabin delivers the comfort and exquisite style demanding of the Mercedes nameplate. Additional features like heated and ventilated front seats, and a driver’s seat memory system, add to the cabin’s unparalleled comfort.

Performance: Efficient, Ultra-Sporty Power

Under the hood, the base GLC 300 is powered by an inline 4cylinder 2.0L turbo. The GLC’s motor delivers 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The engine’s sportiness was one reason it earned the top award. Scott Evans – an associate editor for Motor Trend and a judge for the annual awards – noted that the GLC’s engine delivered the driving dynamic of a V6.

Additionally, the GLC 300 can be fitted with Mercedes’ 4MATIC® all-wheel-drive system. And an AMG®-enhanced version – the AMG® GLC 43 – is available as well, which features a 3.0L bi-turbo V6.

State-of-the-Art Technology and Entertainment

Inside, the 2016 GLC has all the bells and whistles: Best-in-Class stereo, high-definition LCD display screens, available COMAND® hardwired navigation, and connectedmbrace® app compatibility, which makes it possible to remotely access the vehicle.

Yet, the GLC really stands apart from the competition in terms of its safety technology. The GLC is available with a suite of innovative assistive driving features. For example, DISTRONIC PLUS® is the GLC’s semi-autonomous cruise control system, capable of monitoring the roadway around. Additionally, Blind Spot monitoring, BAS® PLUS and PARKTRONIC all enhance the driving experience and add extra sets of eyes on the road.

Test drive the Motor Trend SUV of the Year today at Mercedes-Benz of Loveland

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