Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe Review: Style & Substance

This one is suited up to party! It’s sexy, easy on the eyes and an out-and-out extrovert. The GLC 43 AMG 4Matic Coupe is the one that roars. Even though the engine might have been compromised.

Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe: Performance

The AMG GLC 43 has been a victim of downsizing, unfortunately. While Mercedes has compromised on two cylinders, there is no compromise on power. Put your foot down and it’s just mental. The 9-speed automatic gearbox with that wet clutch works well, giving you power all the time you need. The brakes are brilliant too, there is enough bite and there is a good bite point in the pedal as well. If we had to nitpick, it’ll be the steering probably because it’s not up to the mark. But hey, not everyone is going to notice and it does its job well.

That 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is the same mill that does duties in other AMGs as well. It gets an electric exhaust gas turbocharger but churns out a healthy 416 horses and 500 Nm. It also has a 48-volt mild hybrid assist system that gives it a boost of 13 bhp! This system works well and takes inspiration from the brand’s Formula 1 team.

Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe: Ride & Handling

The GLC 43 rides well in comfort mode, but it’s no match to the standard GLC when it comes to comfort. But it’s not really bone-shattering either. Even if you dial up the suspension to Sport+ mode, it isn’t uncomfortable. But that so-called softness in the suspension results in a bit of understeer when diving into corners.

The GLC 43 gets a 15-speaker audio system from Burmester which sounds great, but who needs speakers when there is a sexy-sounding exhaust note coming from those quad tips? AMG sure knows how to make a car sound epic!

Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe: Design & Platform

The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is essentially the AMG C 43. Why? Because it shares the same powertrain and the platform. However, the body is slightly different since this is a coupe SUV. Mercedes gives you a plethora of options on the same platform. How nice is that?

Comparison from the C 43 apart, how different is the AMG GLC compared to the standard GLC? Well for starters it has AMG’s Panamericana grille, a different bumper and small canards at the corner of the front splitter. All of this makes the GLC 43 a mean-looking SUV. And while the taillamp cluster remains roughly the same, the lighting elements inside are different and much better looking. And don’t forget those quad exhaust tips. Now the most obvious difference is the coupe roofline but how does that affect the space inside?

Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe: Interior & Tech

Because of that sloping roofline, the most affected thing at the back seat is the headroom. Even though the roof has been scooped out, there is not enough headspace at the back and the fact that it is an all-black cabin just makes it feel a little bit more cramped. The front seat is set to my driving position (I am 5'11") so I have enough legroom, but the seat back and the bottom aren’t really that comfortable.

But that’s not the case with the front seat. It’s still very comfortable and that’s because it doesn’t have the full-fat AMG Performance seat, making it comfortable enough for everyday use. And those pinstripes on the dashboard have been replaced with carbon fibre and it gets that sweet-looking AMG steering wheel with those two knobs.

So this has the same touchscreen that you get in the standard GLC but if you press the AMG button at the bottom of the panel, you get a lot of settings for different aspects of the car like the engine, the suspension, the driving dynamics and even the active exhaust. But the most unique part is that if you change the settings or any of the other settings, the 3D model of the car inside the touchscreen shows you exactly what is happening.

Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe: Price & Verdict

The GLC has long been the strongest-selling product and SUVs accounted for 55 per cent of the brand’s total sales in the first half of 2024 and top-end vehicles, which is Merc’s jargon for its luxury vehicles, comprised 25 per cent of total sales too. The AMG GLC 43 then will add on to those numbers, though in limited numbers. and its price therefore will be essential to how it performs.

With the price expected to cross the ₹1 crore (ex-showroom, India) mark, it's not cheap. But it looks sexy and it's a car you want to be seen stepping out of. But we will nitpick and say that the steering could have been a tad more precise and the body roll contained. On other fronts, we ain't complaining.