Mercedes GLC Coupe AMG: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Mercedes GLC Coupe AMG catalogue covers one generation offered before and after restyling, followed by a second generation. Every listed model has an SUV Coupe body, Automatic transmission and AWD. The choice is principally between the earlier Gasoline GLC AMG 43, GLC AMG 63 and GLC AMG 63S versions and the second-generation GLC43, GLC53 and plug-in GLC63S.
The Mercedes GLC Coupe AMG catalogue covers one generation offered before and after restyling, followed by a second generation. Every listed model has an SUV Coupe body, Automatic transmission and AWD. The choice is principally between the earlier Gasoline GLC AMG 43, GLC AMG 63 and GLC AMG 63S versions and the second-generation GLC43, GLC53 and plug-in GLC63S. For maximum recorded performance, the second-generation GLC63S 2.0 AT leads with 680 hp and a 3.5-second 0–100 km/h time. The first-generation GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic is the economy-oriented alternative: its lowest recorded combined consumption is 8.9 l/100 km. Buyers wanting a middle ground can compare the 421 hp GLC43 2.0 AT with the 449 hp GLC53 3.0 AT.
Generations: what changed?
The first generation ran from 2016 to February 2019 as an SUV Coupe with three versions. GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic produced 367 hp, while GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic and GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic delivered 476 hp and 510 hp respectively. The restyled period ran from 2019 to August 2023, retained the SUV Coupe body and again offered three versions. The V8 outputs remained 476 hp and 510 hp, but GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic rose from 367 hp to 390 hp, a gain of 23 hp. Tank capacity increased from 50 to 66 litres across the listed range.
The second generation began in September 2023 and contains three SUV Coupe versions. Its engine range changed substantially: GLC43 2.0 AT uses a 1991 cc Gasoline inline four, GLC53 3.0 AT uses a 2999 cc Gasoline inline six, and GLC63S 2.0 AT uses a 1999 cc Plug-in inline four. All three retain a 9-speed Automatic transmission and AWD, but their listed outputs extend from 421 hp to 680 hp.
Mercedes GLC Coupe AMG engine specs
| Period and exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–February 2019 — GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic | 367 hp | 520 Nm | 2996 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2016–February 2019 — GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic | 476 hp | 650 Nm | 3982 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2016–February 2019 — GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic | 510 hp | 700 Nm | 3982 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2019–August 2023 — GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic | 390 hp | 520 Nm | 2996 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2019–August 2023 — GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic | 476 hp | 650 Nm | 3982 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2019–August 2023 — GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic | 510 hp | 700 Nm | 3982 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| From September 2023 — GLC43 2.0 AT | 421 hp | 510 Nm | 1991 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| From September 2023 — GLC53 3.0 AT | 449 hp | 600 Nm | 2999 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
| From September 2023 — GLC63S 2.0 AT | 680 hp | 555 Nm | 1999 cc | Plug-in | 4, Inline | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
Calculated from the listed displacement and output, GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic rises from approximately 122 hp per litre before restyling to 130 hp per litre after it. The first-generation 476 hp GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic produces approximately 120 hp per litre, while the 510 hp GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic reaches approximately 128 hp per litre. In the second generation, GLC43 2.0 AT delivers approximately 211 hp per litre, GLC53 3.0 AT approximately 150 hp per litre, and the Plug-in GLC63S 2.0 AT approximately 340 hp per litre.
Performance, fuel consumption and MPG data
| Period and exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–February 2019 — GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic | 4.9 s | 250 km/h | 11.5 l/100 km | 7.5 l/100 km | 8.9 l/100 km |
| 2016–February 2019 — GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic | 4.0 s | 250 km/h | 13.9 l/100 km | 8.2 l/100 km | 10.3 l/100 km |
| 2016–February 2019 — GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic | 3.8 s | 250 km/h | 14.1 l/100 km | 8.7 l/100 km | 10.7 l/100 km |
| 2019–August 2023 — GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic | 4.9 s | 250 km/h | 14.5 l/100 km | 8.5 l/100 km | 10.5 l/100 km |
| 2019–August 2023 — GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic | 4.0 s | 270 km/h | 17.4 l/100 km | 9.5 l/100 km | 12.3 l/100 km |
| 2019–August 2023 — GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic | 3.8 s | 280 km/h | 17.1 l/100 km | 9.4 l/100 km | 12.3 l/100 km |
| From September 2023 — GLC43 2.0 AT | 4.8 s | 250 km/h | not measured | not measured | 10.3 l/100 km |
| From September 2023 — GLC53 3.0 AT | 4.2 s | 250 km/h | not measured | not measured | 9.7 l/100 km |
| From September 2023 — GLC63S 2.0 AT | 3.5 s | 275 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Among versions with complete fuel-consumption figures, the original GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic records the lowest city, highway and combined values. Moving from that 367 hp model to the original GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic adds 109 hp and cuts 0–100 km/h by 0.9 seconds, while combined consumption rises by 1.4 l/100 km. Moving onward to GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic adds another 34 hp and 50 Nm, reducing the acceleration time by another 0.2 seconds.
After restyling, GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic is 0.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 10 km/h faster at the top end than GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic. Both have the same recorded combined consumption of 12.3 l/100 km, although the GLC AMG 63S records city and highway figures lower by 0.3 and 0.1 l/100 km respectively.
In the second generation, GLC53 3.0 AT adds 28 hp and 90 Nm over GLC43 2.0 AT. It reaches 100 km/h 0.6 seconds sooner and records combined consumption 0.6 l/100 km lower. GLC63S 2.0 AT adds 231 hp over GLC53 3.0 AT and reduces the acceleration time by 0.7 seconds, but its combined consumption is not measured.
Mercedes GLC Coupe AMG weight, clearance and wheel sizes
| Period and exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–February 2019 — GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic | 1855 kg | 2460 kg | 150 mm | 50 l | 235/55 R19; 255/50 R19 |
| 2016–February 2019 — GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic | 1935 kg | 2590 kg | 162 mm | 50 l | 235/55 R19; 255/50 R19 |
| 2016–February 2019 — GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic | 1945 kg | 2590 kg | 162 mm | 50 l | 265/45 R20; 295/40 R20 |
| 2019–August 2023 — GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic | 1875 kg | 2460 kg | 181 mm | 66 l | 235/55 R19; 255/50 R19 |
| 2019–August 2023 — GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic | 2020 kg | 2590 kg | 162 mm | 66 l | 235/55 R19; 255/50 R19 |
| 2019–August 2023 — GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic | 2030 kg | 2590 kg | 162 mm | 66 l | 265/40 R21; 295/35 R21 |
| From September 2023 — GLC43 2.0 AT | 1995 kg | 2535 kg | not measured | not measured | 235/55 R19; 255/50 R19 |
| From September 2023 — GLC53 3.0 AT | 2080 kg | 2640 kg | not measured | 62 l | 235/55 R19; 255/50 R19 |
| From September 2023 — GLC63S 2.0 AT | not measured | not measured | 117 mm | not measured | 265/45 R20; 295/40 R20 |
Calculated weight-to-power ratios reinforce the differences. The original GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic carries approximately 5.05 kg per hp, compared with 4.07 kg per hp for GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic and 3.81 kg per hp for GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic. After restyling, those figures are approximately 4.81, 4.24 and 3.98 kg per hp. In the second generation, GLC43 2.0 AT records approximately 4.74 kg per hp and GLC53 3.0 AT approximately 4.63 kg per hp. A ratio cannot be calculated for GLC63S 2.0 AT because its kerb weight is not measured.
The chassis specification also separates generations. Every listed first-generation version uses Independent, pneumatic front and rear suspension. Every listed second-generation version uses Independent, spring front and rear suspension. Ventilated disc brakes are listed at both ends for every version.
Which Mercedes GLC Coupe AMG version should you buy?
Choose the 2016–February 2019 GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic if measured fuel economy matters most. Its 8.9 l/100 km combined figure is the lowest in the catalogue, and its 1855 kg kerb weight is also the lowest. The trade-off is 367 hp and a 4.9-second 0–100 km/h time, both behind the V8 versions from the same period.
Choose the 2019–August 2023 GLC AMG 43 3.0 AT 4Matic if you want the restyled first-generation model’s 390 hp, 181 mm clearance and 66-litre tank. Compared with its earlier namesake, it gains 23 hp, 31 mm of clearance and 16 litres of tank capacity, while its 4.9-second acceleration time and 250 km/h top speed remain unchanged. Its recorded combined consumption, however, is 1.6 l/100 km higher.
Choose GLC AMG 63 4.0 AT 4Matic when 476 hp and 650 Nm are sufficient and the S version’s extra output is unnecessary. In either first-generation period, the GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic adds 34 hp and 50 Nm and removes 0.2 seconds from the 0–100 km/h run. The restyled S also raises top speed from the regular model’s 270 km/h to 280 km/h.
Choose GLC43 2.0 AT as the entry point to the second-generation specifications. It offers 421 hp, weighs 1995 kg and reaches 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Choose GLC53 3.0 AT for a stronger balance: its 449 hp, 600 Nm and 4.2-second acceleration outperform GLC43 2.0 AT, while its measured combined consumption is lower at 9.7 rather than 10.3 l/100 km.
Choose GLC63S 2.0 AT when the priority is the highest output and quickest recorded acceleration. Its Plug-in powertrain produces 680 hp, and it reaches 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds before a 275 km/h top speed. It is 170 hp stronger and 0.3 seconds quicker than the earlier 510 hp GLC AMG 63S 4.0 AT 4Matic. Its fuel consumption, kerb weight, gross weight and tank capacity are not measured, so those ownership comparisons cannot be completed from the available catalogue data.