Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 2027 review

Polite indifference? Cautiously optimistic? We were somewhat kinder on Mercedes-AMG’s initial turbo-four-pot forays of the current-gen X254 GLC SUV (and C254 Coupe) than some of the keyboard-smashing angst gearhead culture pounded out in protest of the 43 and plug-in 63. Through an unemotional lens, they were fine and clever, respectively.

But AMG is an emotional brand and, to many passion-driven gearheads, in very recent times, it was more of a was. Understandably, Affalterbach pride won’t admit misjudgement but after four years and half a lifecycle, both 43 and 63 two-litre four-pot have been dropped.

Enter the GLC 53 4Matic+ and with it clearly the most pivotal paradigm in ethos and perception: 3.0 litres of lovely straight-six turbocharged petrol power, passed down from E 53 sedan, effectively lobbing AMG’s mid-size family hauler back in the ‘proper’ six-pot ring, where Audi (SQ5) and BMW (X3 M50 xDrive) have been keeping a spare seat warm.

The ‘53’ is a return to the old school. But it’s not without new-school smarts.

A 7.5kW electric compressor to augment the conventional turbocharger tech, a ‘second-generation’ 48-volt integrated starter-generator for a 40Nm electro-torque boost, all yielding 330kW, 640Nm (on overboost), 4.2sec performance potential with sub-10L/100km efficiency AMG’s old bent-eight stuff couldn’t dream of.

Numerically, expectedly, 53 stats broadly sit between the now defunct 43 and plug-in 63, with a mild whiff of mild hybridisation but a thick aroma of traditional internal combustion character. Pricing starts from $140,600 for the SUV and from $151,300 for the Coupe that, roofline apart, mirrors the wagon in most every specification.

Fully variable all-wheel drive, rear-axle steering, standard-fit air suspension on monstrous 21-inch wheels – its rears with foot-wide Michelins – it’s delivered as a fulsome hardware package glazed over with retina-burning in-cabin tech and loads of trappings.

Further, the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package looks a steal at its $3700 upcharge given it adds a rear-axle locking differential, dynamic engine mounts, a Race drive mode (with lifted 270km/h top speed) and – hey, why not? – Drift mode.

But it’s also somewhat conventional, derived from 2022 stock and conspicuously so in design language, inside and out, in an era when never Benzes and their AMG go-faster derivatives – including the more potent (360kW/800Nm) and almost as quick (4.3sec) fully electric GLC 400 appear a generation newer in almost all respects.

Which is kind of the point of this new AMG 53: give the welded-on petrolhead traditionalists a thick slice of what they want. But with enough pleasantry, polish and pragmatism expected of a 2026 offering that must do double-duty as a somewhat sensible daily driven family hauler.

How does the AMG 53 drive?

The gruff bark and sonorous soundtrack after a cold start will tug at the heartstrings and annoy the neighbours, but the revamped six – revised top-end, intake, intercooling, etcetera – conspires with aforementioned, evolved forced induction to augment drivability and torque.

It’s paired with AMG’s ‘TCT’ nine-speed automatic, which uses a conventional torque converter rather than the multiplate clutch (aka ‘MCT’) design adopted for some other AMG models.

In Sport mode, the GLC 53 works a treat. The complex electrification adds crisp throttle response and toey midrange shove to the straight-six’s free-revving character. It’s a magnitude fitter to march than the old 3.0L V6 from AMG’s gen-one GLC 43.

It’s quick, if satisfyingly – rather than brutally – so. Even in the more visceral Sport+ setting (our unoptioned test variant lacked optional Race mode). Sheer thrust is dampened somewhat by its circa-2170kg kerb weight, but the bold theatre that good-old-fashioned internal combustion brings is ample compensation.

The rich sonics come courtesy of the, ahem, AMG Real Performance Sound exhaust system, bringing specific resonators that, AMG says, amplifies the late-ignition snap on upshifts and signature crackle on throttle lift-off.

In its feistier drive modes, the GLC 53 is downright tenacious when shown a set of curves. The steering is well weighted and direct, the air suspension plants the chassis confidently flat, and those 265mm front and 295mm rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres leverage fantastic lateral grip.

It’s balanced, too, with AMG’s bespoke all-paw torque-shuffling plying drive in the hot-mix corners that’s super effective and clearly drives from the rear when the driver alters the chosen trajectory, with plenty of obedience and without unnecessary theatrics. It’s safely planted yet engaging and reactive when linking apexes at a hot clip.

Manualised, the torque converter auto is surprisingly urgent and obedient to paddle-shifting, and downshifting is complimented by powerful and trustworthy braking. For a family hauler, it’s a fairly precise tool, even without the tricky diff and hard-core modes of the Dynamic Plus pack.

Dialed back below Sport mode, it’s not quite so ‘treaty’. Comfort mode returns some laggy off-the-mark response, the powertrain gets nippy during leisurely driving, and it struggles a little when asked to be a polite and polished cruiser.

Nor has AMG managed massage added refinement to this air suspension design throughout the X254/C254 lifecycle, which has fundamentally good compliance but brings headtoss over larger bumps and gets wallowy on rebound.

Further, the ride gets fidgeting across small bumps, the tyres ‘kerplunk’ across square edged road imperfections, and the tyre noise at cruising speed, particularly on coarse chip surfaces, becomes a loud drone. Sound deadening and quietude are not GLC 53 fortes.

It’s quite clear that AMG has perhaps engineered in some of the ‘mongrel’ character of old while maintaining enough – and just enough – of the cushy comfort and restrained pragmatism expected of an all-rounder in today’s era. And it gets it kind-sorta well enough.

This extends to fuel consumption. On test, mostly daily cruising with the odd red-misted punt, the GLC 53 returned average consumption around the nine-litre mark against a very similar official claim. Hardly frugal in outright terms, but very handy for a rig with this much performance and old-school ICE-powered muscle car flair.

Safety wise, the fitted Driving Assistance Plus suite brings advanced features such as active steering assist and evasive steering assist, and all of the systems seem calibrated well enough to avoid switching off due to excessive annoyance.

How is the GLC 53’s interior?

You’ll know within seconds of climbing into the AMG SUV whether you’ll find its visual overstimulation lovely or loathsome.

Benz/AMG interior design language shifts quickly, and GLC’s 2020 bones predate the latest, more minimalist approach merging in newer models. So no A-Class like Superscreen or C-Class panoramic Hyperscreen here.

Instead, GLC clings to a format where digital display and glassy touch surfaces ‘float’ above the interior ‘substrates’ – the soft door trim, the ornate plastic dash fascia – and separated by a buffer of bold mood lighting.

Add the backlit ‘steampunk’ air vents and technicoloured digital display work and it’s a sensory delight or overload, depending on personal taste.

Here, the odd ceiling-angled central media touchscreen and confoundingly clumsy haptic touch control format on the centre stack and across the wheel spokes remain when Benz/AMG has begun moving away from both in the aforementioned As and Cs.

The creaky cabin plastics we observed in the defunct GLC 43 seemed to have been amended, though both the haptic control surfaces and those proud squircle air vents feel cheap and flimsy.

In terms of resolution, slickness and pace, the MBUX Navigation Premium media suite is top shelf, though accessing feature adjustment isn’t entirely intuitive and it does lack quick glance clarity.

Thankfully, those ‘manettino’ style rotary dials on the wheel – drive mode, exhaust and powertrain settings – are, in contrast, wonderfully straightforward.

The front seats are a mixed bag: loads of racy purpose and fundamentally great, if stiff backed, lacking in enough squab height reduction and with chunk side bolsters that foul your elbows when you do decide to go chasing corners.

Row two packaging is decent rather than exceptional – a Sportage, say, offers much more legroom – though the slim front seatbacks afford enough airiness for ample adult comfort, even for long hauling. The panoramic glass roof, once the scrim is retracted, adds to the sense of space.

There’s a real plus-two suggestion to the shape of the rear bench, and the comfort of the outboard seating isn’t mirrored in the lumpy middle position that suggests emergency use only. Rear air vents and USB-C power is offered in the second row.

Our SUV (aka, wagon) tester’s boot is a large and practical 620 litres, with a nice flat floor and huge underfloor cubby where the tyre inflator and first aid kits reside. Opting for the pricier Coupe version loses 75 litres (to 575L) of capacity.

What are the GLC 53’s ownership costs?

On test, the six-pot GLC returned consumption figures around the nine-litre mark per hundred around town, with a 61-litre tank affording easily more than 600km of touring range. Driven hard, we saw thirst rise to around 14L/100kms.

Servicing isn’t cheap: a five-year package costs $7960, though intervals are an enticing 20,000kms (and 12 months) between visits.

The GLC 53 is covered by Mercedes-Benz’s five years of unlimited-kilometre warranty.

The honest verdict

The ‘53’ looks fantastic (bar perhaps the questionable door decals) outside, is overblown with fanfare inside (to taste), but it’s really the heart transplant that’s the headline (good) news here.

It’s priced well – around $4K up on the defunct four-pot 43’s ask from two years back – and remains as practical as ever, with relative daily-driven efficiency for the performance and character on tap.

However, it’s not the sweetest Jekyll and Hyde balance. Its brawn overwhelms some areas – ride, noise and refinement – of comfort that could benefit from a little more polish and restraint.

But these quibbles shouldn’t cause much bother with the good many AMG fans who’ll rejoice that the go-fast GLC SUV has rediscovered proper mojo.