While the small Mercedes GLK SUV has been available in Europe for years, a lack of a right-hand drive version means its GLC replacement is a new proposition for British customers. No doubt Mercedes dealers will be ecstatic, because rivals like the BMW X3 and Audi Q3 have proved to be strong sellers, appealing to those who like the rugged looks of an off-roader, but spend a lot of their time in town.

With its underpinnings derived from the acclaimed C-Class, a smart design and more tech than you can wave a laser pointer at, the GLC looks like it should certainly get off to a flying start.

Performance

The GLC is available with two versions of a 2.1-litre turbodiesel, with either 168bhp in the 220 d or 201bhp in the 250 d. We tested the latter, which gets from 0-62mph in a brisk 7.6 seconds, although for now there’s no high-performance version to take on hot versions of the Porsche Macan or Jaguar F-PACE.

Both GLCs get a nine-speed automatic and four-wheel drive, with the latter behaving quite differently in the 250 d. While in the 220 d the front and rear wheels share the work fairly equally, in the 250 d there’s almost a 31:69 split of power front to rear, giving it a rear-wheel drive feel more familiar to C-Class saloon drivers. Of course, in low-grip circumstances, torque can be shuffled around too, helping aid safety and light off-roading.

We say light off-roading, because while the GLC should easily satisfy the occasional need to foray into a field or down a muddy track, its low-slung chassis and large wheels mean a Discovery Sport is a better bet if you plan on heading up (or down) a mountain.

Ride and Handling

The GLC could be driven much like an estate car

With 20-inch alloy wheels, the AMG Line model we tried was a case in point, prioritising handling and grip on smooth tarmac, where the GLC could be driven much like an estate car. You may rightly be worried about the ride quality, but actually it isn’t overly jarring, even with the firmer sports suspension fitted. Sharp impacts like pot holes could lead to some thuds, but normal road imperfections were filtered out quite nicely. The steering doesn’t have much feel, but it is precise and the rearward torque bias also gives you the sense it remains free from the mixed messages you can get in a front-wheel drive car if you ask for too much power and steering all at once.

Interior and Equipment

The GLC is based on a stretched version of the underpinnings found in the Mercedes C-Class.

Like most of the current Mercedes line-up, the GLC’s interior is a real highlight. It may feel a bit more traditional than its ultra-contemporary Audi rivals, but the tech is there and if anything, the Mercedes cabin has a touch more character. Three trims are available; SE Line, Sport Line and AMG Line, with each not only getting more equipment, but also a progressively sportier feel. Standard kit is impressive too, with a reversing camera, auto tailgate, DAB radio and keyless start. AMG Line adds lots of cosmetic flourishes, including a sportier steering wheel and pedals along with AMG bodystyling. There’s clearly a lot borrowed from the C-Class here, including the seven-inch infotainment screen, which has a tablet-aping design. Headroom clearly gets a boost though, and the GLC is usefully practical. The rear seats split in three and the boot measures 550-litres behind them, or 1,600 litres with them folded forwards.

Cost

Running costs are quite impressive, with 56.5mpg and 129g/km

Pricing for the GLC starts from just under £35k, with the on the road price for the 250 d 4MATIC AMG Line standing at around £40k. But, as with most models from a premium marque, options can quickly see this amount shoot up, by over £7k in the case of the test car we sampled. Running costs are quite impressive, with 56.5mpg and 129g/km of CO2 for both versions making it more economical than a four-wheel drive F-PACE or Audi Q3 184 Quattro.

Our Verdict

The small SUV craze shows no sign of abating, so it’s a good thing Mercedes has thrown its hat in the ring. It’s also good that the GLC clearly isn’t a rushed job, with a great design and impressive technology under its skin. It could be worth holding out for some new engines to arrive, as Mercedes recently launched the E-Class with a smoother new 2.0-litre unit, but the rest of the package is entirely convincing.