Hi Folks, I have a 2020 GLB and am looking to replace it with a 2022 GLC. I don't find a lot of differences between the two. My GLB has 3 rows so that is the significant difference in features but I have never used the 3rd row so not a deciding factor. I am more interested in the build quality comparison. I have driven loaner GLCs a few times and they definitely sounded quieter and the ride felt smoother than GLB. Is it worth replacing the GLB with GLC? I am happy with my GLB, just find it noisy at times.

Thanks

 

You have driven both and your observations about ride quality and quietness fit with mine. Ride may have something to do with GLB being on a B chassis and the GLC on a one step up C chassis. Quietness may be due to the GLC having a longitudinally mounted engine and the transmission under the car, rather than the GLB’s transverse engine and transaxle all under the hood. The interior of the GLC feels more Mercedes, while the GLB interior feels more mainstream, like Cadillac a XT4 or 5. Our GLB fit and trim quality is as good as our C250. Others have complaints. Maybe the GLC would be more consistent. The interior space is nearly the same. If you don’t need the 7 seats (we do) then the GLC should satisfy.

 

Yes

 

Odd Piggy is right on point. My two cents regarding the difference is that GLC is predominantly rear wheel drive vs. GLB being predominantly front wheel drive. And while rear wheel drive has more sportier driving dynamic, it probably means almost nothing if you drive primarily in the city traffic. The other aspect is budget, GLC being approximately $5K more expensive than similarly optioned GLB. However you get more power, fit and finish for the that money. If you have a more flexible budget than I would go with GLC, however be aware that 2023 GLC is a new model year, which would come with gremlins associated with it.

 

I had two 2022 GLC300 loaners last year. Similar to what said above, GLB is similar to Subaru Forester as MB went cheap on GLB eg piano black everywhere vs GLC has better finishes, more like MB entry level... Even reviews put GLC finish above X3... GLC felt quieter compared to GLB though one youtube review was saying it is similar, but another was showing 2 Db difference. GLB dash is lower compared to GLC, so it makes more roomier and open in the front with GLB. It might be similar on the overall space as transverse engine of GLB vs longitudinal engine of GLC leave more interior space for GLB plus the boxy structure for GLB... MY GLB35 is much stiffer with more precise driving, but that is AMG additions... GLC has the 9 shift vs GLB has faster dual clutch. GLC300 is faster than GLB250, but again it didn't feel that fast, maybe due to gear selections with 9 shift vs DCT.... You feel the road with GLB vs it is floating on GLC. On first loaner, GLC had a vibrating steering wheel at cracks which is a common issue that can be fixed by a software update. 2nd loaner was nice, but I felt nearly throwing up on the long road as it was floaty like a boat,.. In the long trips, GLC might give more comfort as it definitely isolates you better from the road. The touch pad was missing the wrist rest in GLC and that caused my to change the MBUX several time by accident.

Below shows the interior space difference of GLB to GLC and other similar size vehicles:




I saw in the reviews that new model year 2023 GLC is more sporty, but also it comes with the big i-pad and no buttons and looks less spacy inside with those additions. MB is switching to 48V architecture which is a problem on GLE's...Also the engine will be updated with the new model, so hopefully MB is fixing the cylinder head leak issue of GLB/GLC engines. The older GLC engine had a piston cracking problem which has low ratings with consumer report as well... I think 2023 models should be out soon ,so you can check the reviews on them. Coupe will be updated later for 2024 model year.

 

Thank you all for the insights, this helps immensely. Yes, the rear-wheel drive seems to make quite a difference in the driving feel of the GLC. BTW, I plan on going for the 2022 GLC, not the new refreshed 2023 GLC as there is a long waiting for 2023 and might get some good trade-in deals for the GLC 2022. Although I must say I really like the looks of the new 2023 GLC.

Based on all the feedback, I think it is worth considering. Will update here if I do decide to go with the GLC 2022.

Thanks

 

Why I think it's the same price for GLB and GLCs in the used car market?

 

In my area, the GLB is a hot commodity. Dealers can’t keep them in stock. There are many GLCs on the lots.
I guess the GLB appeals to a bigger market segment.
I have friends who have never driven anything except Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans, Kias, Hyundais test driving them and some buying.
One friend and long time Kia SUV owner tried the GLC and didn’t like it. Tried a GLB and bought it.
Go figure.

 

Younger buyers like the GLB because it has a snazzier interior, can carry more and gets better mileage.
Older buyers like the GLC because it looks more Mercedes like and has a quieter smoother ride.

 

Yup, the ambient lights does attract buyers, it does have the newer interior compared to the aging X253 that first was announced in 2015 and as a MY16 as you know replacing the GLK. While the GLB was announced in 2019 as MY20 I believe? The facelift did change things for the GLC but compared to the GLB interior, it is still (well not saying it isn't modern but people will think that it is not as flashy or tech heavy with all the horizontal screen and apparently that is what attracts buyers). People also think the GLB is a baby G-wagen honestly other than the GLB being boxy, it's looks resembles more to MB's older models like the GLK and ML in my opinion and not the G-wagen.

 

Hopefully you can get good deals knowing that they want to move inventory of the outgoing GLC as the new one is coming in.

 

it sounds like right now it's a good time to buy the glc not the glb

 

That is true, the new generation GLC is already out. The GLB although not getting a new generation yet but facelift is revealed.

 

New GLC has not been released in the US.

 

I mean out as in revealed sorry for the confusion.

 

I heard shipping starts april

 

Who knows. Nothing happens on time anymore.

 

That is true, for reference, the W206 C-Class took almost? or was it more than a year to get to North America. Hopefully logistics improved this year.

 

GLC300 VS GLB35

Outdated multimedia VS my favorite MBUX with touchscreen and touchpad!

Good ride VS choppy ride (purposly designed this way?)
Quiet car Vs normal car noise.
floaty vs planted (This maynot be the case if non amg glb)
Rides higher vs rides lower

My vote is the GLB since the interior doesn't feel as dated. However I'd probably pick the redesigned GLC since the car will probably have better ride and quieter interior.

 

MB touts the new C-Class as baby S-Class just smaller, the ride quality from my experience isn't no S-Class however it is way closer to the W213 E-Class. Step in the right direction. The new GLC will very likely share this same change.

If your GLB was a GLB 35 or GLB 45 model, it might be the contributor to the choppy ride as well.

 

The GLB is an east-west powertrain front wheel drive economy car and the GLC is a premium (not to be confused with luxury) north-south primarily rear drive vehicle. Very different cars.

I would not touch a GLC because of the piston cracking genetics of the 2.0L 4-cylinder engines which have been used in the GLC, all of them descended from one another. Read about this in the W205, X253 and W213 sections.

 

Dang the two vehicles are pretty far apart from each other indeed.

 

With 4matic, I don't know if i rather have RWD or FWD bias, the system just kicks on or off under icey conditions. They need to keep the center clutch locked and add a winter mode. I had a Subaru STI, Mitsubishi Evolution, and Audi Q7 which doesn't have winter driving issues when it's 31-33 and wet out.

To answer the op question is yes to upgrade to GLC with the upcoming model.

 

Yeah it seems GLC is a better deal no matter if you get a pre-facelift or the new model.

But I do see a lot of GLBs in the street. I wonder maybe in 1 or 2 years GLBs will become a better value model? (when there are many off-lease and new cars on the lot?)

 

There are more GLC300's on the market as it is an older model released in 2016 if you want to take your chance with the piston cracking engines: M274 Engine Causing You to Bail? 2020 model year updated the engines with GLC300...

Already GLB250 is 3 years old now and there are enough used inventory unless you go for GLB35...