Step-In Height for GLC and GLC Coupe
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2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
Step-In Height for GLC and GLC Coupe
Sounds stupid, I know, but I currently have an Acura RDX, and one of the problems my wife and I have is stepping up into it. It is 19" from the floor to the highest part of the door opening that we have to step over. Now, for you youngins, that's not a problem. But for my short wife, who has had both knees replaced, and for me, who needs both hips replaced, it's getting to be a problem. Thus, we are looking at an E450 Wagon. But, while I've looked at a GLE, and it is definitely too high, I'm not sure I've tried out a GLC, which the overall height of is a LOT lower than the GLE (and a few inches lower than the RDX).
Would it be possible for someone to measure this dimension, preferably on a GLC and GLC Coupe, to get an idea of how much lower it might be than the Acura?
Before someone suggests the GLA, I can't fit in it, due to back and neck problems, I just can't get in. But the door openings and seat location on the C-Class and E-Class are similar, and I can get in them okay. Just wondered about the step-in height for the GLC. The upcoming GLB sounds interesting, but won't be available by December, when we need a car.
Would it be possible for someone to measure this dimension, preferably on a GLC and GLC Coupe, to get an idea of how much lower it might be than the Acura?
Before someone suggests the GLA, I can't fit in it, due to back and neck problems, I just can't get in. But the door openings and seat location on the C-Class and E-Class are similar, and I can get in them okay. Just wondered about the step-in height for the GLC. The upcoming GLB sounds interesting, but won't be available by December, when we need a car.
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…. It is 19" from the floor to the highest part of the door opening that we have to step over. Now, for you youngins, that's not a problem. But for my short wife, who has had both knees replaced, and for me, who needs both hips replaced, it's getting to be a problem.
Would it be possible for someone to measure this dimension, preferably on a GLC.
Would it be possible for someone to measure this dimension, preferably on a GLC.
A rough gestimate with an unsteady hand and eyes that are not young anymore …..
...height from ground to the sill, that you have to navigate your feet over, is about 470 millimeters or 18.5 inches.
This is the approximate area you lift your feet over.
It does rise, marginally, towards the front of the car before meeting the door frame. ...maybe another half an inch.
Hope this helps ...but as said before ...given your circumstances, it would be preferable to drive to a dealer and try yourself ….as there may be other factors, you have not considered yet.
(pestering or not ..you have a very valid reason to ensure the vehicle meets your requirements)
Good luck,
Phil.
Last edited by Citizen613; Sep 2, 2019 at 03:34 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2019
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From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
...height from ground to the sill, that you have to navigate your feet over, is about 470 millimeters or 18.5 inches.
.....Hope this helps ...but as said before ...given your circumstances, it would be preferable to drive to a dealer and try yourself ….as there may be other factors, you have not considered yet.
.....Hope this helps ...but as said before ...given your circumstances, it would be preferable to drive to a dealer and try yourself ….as there may be other factors, you have not considered yet.
Finding a car that fits us, AND that I want, has been a challenge. The E-Class Wagon/Sedan opening is a bit sparse, but okay (for now, at least). An Infinity Q70 is actually extremely easy to get into, and isn't a bad car, but is so far behind all the others, technology-wise, that it's hard to consider now, but maybe in a couple years. The VW Passat is great for entry/exit, but doesn't produce the smile on my fact that the MB does.
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I don't see Air Body Control as an option in the 2019 build options online. I did see something online, I think, where the rear end could be lowered some, but not sure if that was on the GLC. With this option in the E-Class, it certainly doesn't move very far (maybe 1/2").
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IMO this is why FORD and others should not be discontinuing sedans. I have a GLE and I have to push my elderly mother up into the vehicle and assist her getting out. People with disabilities and older generation may suffer with the demise of sedans.
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A properly designed SUV with a good side step is much easier for elderly to get in and out, as long as they have working legs. Without working legs, it needs to be a sedan. The problem with Mercedes is that they are putting side steps as decoration, and not useful items to get in and out. Try an Escalade with retractable side steps with your mom, and she'll be super happy. Dropping down into a sedan and then get up from a sedan is very hard for elderly, but if they can step up properly into an SUV and then step down from it, it's all good. The side steps on my 2020 GLC make it much harder for even young able bodies to get out of the GLC than without them. A total fail by Mercedes. I put non-retracting side steps on our Range Rover Sport and it makes it super easy to get in and out of that vehicle too. They are the right height from the ground and distance from the seat, and they are nice and wide when the door open, and very little of them shows when the doors are closed. Come on German engineers! You would have lost the war with that kind of engineering .. oh wait....
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After starting this thread, I ended up ordering an E450 Estate/Wagon. Stepping up into a normal size SUV is just too hard for my 5' wife with both knees replaced, and hurts my hip as well. Dropping down into the seat isn't as much of a problem for us. If we end up replacing our GTI as well (which is just a bit too low for me to crouch into), a viable candidate would actually by the Hyundai Kona, their smallest SUV. The step-in height is low, but the door opening is high, making it just about ideal. Of course, it's too small, and not deluxe enough, for main usage in our family, thus the E450.
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2020 GLC 300
After starting this thread, I ended up ordering an E450 Estate/Wagon. Stepping up into a normal size SUV is just too hard for my 5' wife with both knees replaced, and hurts my hip as well. Dropping down into the seat isn't as much of a problem for us. If we end up replacing our GTI as well (which is just a bit too low for me to crouch into), a viable candidate would actually by the Hyundai Kona, their smallest SUV. The step-in height is low, but the door opening is high, making it just about ideal. Of course, it's too small, and not deluxe enough, for main usage in our family, thus the E450.
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A properly designed SUV with a good side step is much easier for elderly to get in and out, as long as they have working legs. Without working legs, it needs to be a sedan. The problem with Mercedes is that they are putting side steps as decoration, and not useful items to get in and out. Try an Escalade with retractable side steps with your mom, and she'll be super happy. Dropping down into a sedan and then get up from a sedan is very hard for elderly, but if they can step up properly into an SUV and then step down from it, it's all good. The side steps on my 2020 GLC make it much harder for even young able bodies to get out of the GLC than without them. A total fail by Mercedes. I put non-retracting side steps on our Range Rover Sport and it makes it super easy to get in and out of that vehicle too. They are the right height from the ground and distance from the seat, and they are nice and wide when the door open, and very little of them shows when the doors are closed. Come on German engineers! You would have lost the war with that kind of engineering .. oh wait....
'butt first on seat, sit down and pull legs in and turn'
In a SUV even with side steps it take more leg muscle and knee use for 2 steps up.
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I have sedans and Mom has less issue getting into them. Even with SUV side steps they still have to be able to walk up 2 steps - 1) to get on side steps and 2) then the vehicle. With a sedan there is no stepping up. The proper way for people with mobility issues to get into a sedan is simpler with less knee and muscle use:
'butt first on seat, sit down and pull legs in and turn'
In a SUV even with side steps it take more leg muscle and knee use for 2 steps up.
'butt first on seat, sit down and pull legs in and turn'
In a SUV even with side steps it take more leg muscle and knee use for 2 steps up.
You must not have ever had a good SUV in your family. We have elderly in our family with limited mobility, and with the Escalade and Range Rover Sport, they are much easier than the S550 or the Jag XFs or any other cars in the family. Not going to mentioned the Lotus or Lamborghinis.
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The proper way for people with mobility issues to get into a sedan is simpler with less knee and muscle use:
'butt first on seat, sit down and pull legs in and turn'
'butt first on seat, sit down and pull legs in and turn'
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Not true for a well designed SUV. It's one step up, turn and sit down with no need to fall into a seat, or lift yourself up out of the seat to get out.
You must not have ever had a good SUV in your family. We have elderly in our family with limited mobility, and with the Escalade and Range Rover Sport, they are much easier than the S550 or the Jag XFs or any other cars in the family. Not going to mentioned the Lotus or Lamborghinis.
You must not have ever had a good SUV in your family. We have elderly in our family with limited mobility, and with the Escalade and Range Rover Sport, they are much easier than the S550 or the Jag XFs or any other cars in the family. Not going to mentioned the Lotus or Lamborghinis.
You can let me borrow that Lambo though! LOL!
Last edited by E55 KEV; Oct 8, 2019 at 04:11 PM.
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2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
You must not have ever had a good SUV in your family. We have elderly in our family with limited mobility, and with the Escalade and Range Rover Sport, they are much easier than the S550 or the Jag XFs or any other cars in the family.
Not going to mentioned the Lotus or Lamborghinis.
