Video summary

Kör Mercedes GLC 87 mil - Snålare och bättre komfort än BMW

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product / Vehicle Reviewed

A Mercedes GLC with EQ Technology (positioned as a flagship SUV in its segment), presented as a competitor to:

  • Volvo EX60
  • BMW iX3 (referred to in the video as “BMW EX3”)

The test car is the higher-spec battery/power version (referred to as “this 400” in the video).

Key Features Mentioned

Large Battery & Power

  • Battery: 94 kWh
  • Power: 360 kW / 489 hp
  • Claimed WLTP range: 633 km
  • Configurable range: up to 672 km, depending on wheel size

Air Suspension

  • Can lower the car to reduce air resistance (targeting improved high-speed efficiency)
  • Different comfort modes influence the ride feel, including a “floating/rocking” character

Aerodynamic/Efficiency Technology

  • A two-speed gearbox concept is mentioned to reduce consumption at higher speeds
  • Includes a noticeable gear shift (depending on driving)
  • Designed with German autobahns in mind, with a claimed efficiency “sweet spot” around 120–130 km/h

Charging Capability

  • Supports “plug & charge” / MB Charge Public
  • Mentions plug-and-charge payment, avoiding the need for charging cards
  • The car can display/handle charging management details (e.g., battery tempering info and charging power)

Interior & Controls

  • Panoramic roof
  • Multiple navigation displays:
    • main screen
    • head-up display
    • preview view
  • Retains some physical controls (e.g., ventilation), unlike certain competitors
  • Uses a round steering wheel and a more classic driver cockpit layout (contrasted with the presenter’s view of Volvo/BMW)

Driver Assistance

  • Steering assistant: not present on the press car, so it couldn’t be tested
    • Presenter notes BMW’s steering system was excellent
  • Adaptive cruise control is present and described as smooth

Comparisons Made

BMW iX3

  • Presenter expects the GLC to be slightly more efficient
    • BMW iX3 reference: 19.7 kWh/100 km from an earlier test on a similar route
  • Charging outcomes are contrasted against the BMW iX3 results
  • Acceleration: presenter claims 0–100 in 4.3 seconds, stating the GLC is faster than the BMW iX3

Volvo EX60

  • Used mainly as a benchmark for noise and comfort
    • “Volvo will be quieter,” based on prior comfort/noise impressions

Other Mercedes Vehicles / Platforms

  • Mentions a similar drivetrain philosophy to the Mercedes CLA (smoothness), though platforms differ

Range / Route Expectations

  • Route referenced: Stockholm toward Värnamo/Malmö
  • Low starting range might require a stop
  • Notes the GLC predicted arrival with 25% battery

Real-World Efficiency & Performance Results (Numerical)

During the Drive / Highway Segment

  • Observed consumption around 19.3 kWh/100 km at one point (noted alongside a 120 km/h condition)

End of Trip Summary

  • Trip distance: 871 km
  • Average consumption: 18.5 kWh/100 km
  • Battery on arrival (garage): 13%, then charged to 100%
  • Average speed: 96 km/h

Charging Performance Notes

  • Presenter hoped for ~350 kW peak charging, but observed a slower session at a specific stop:
    • Charging limited around ~120–140 kW for periods
    • After switching to another charger, charging improved to roughly ~140–160 kW
    • The sustained peak wasn’t consistently reached, and the session was slower than expected
  • Presenter attributes the slowdown to charger/station-specific conditions, not necessarily the car alone (based on recovery after changing chargers)

Acceleration (0–100 km/h)

  • Claimed 0–100 km/h in 4.3 seconds
  • Presenter states this is faster than the BMW iX3
    • With an implied caveat: BMW might still win in a curve, suggesting further testing may be needed

What Worked Well (Pros)

High-Speed Efficiency Potential

  • Strong emphasis on air suspension + efficiency design benefiting 120–130 km/h
  • Real-world result 18.5 kWh/100 km beats the BMW iX3 reference (19.7 kWh/100 km)

Smooth Drivetrain Behavior

  • Smooth acceleration and deceleration; “not jerky”
  • Two-speed gear strategy framed as consumption-focused
    • A gear shift can become noticeable if driving more aggressively

Comfort & Ride Quality

  • Air suspension described as very capable
  • Presenter likes a firmer/more controlled feel in modes like Sport/Individual
  • Mentions Mercedes has reduced small vibrations for long trips

Charging Convenience (General)

  • Plug-and-charge works by plugging in (no card handling)
  • App/car charging details shown clearly (power and battery/charging-related data)

What Didn’t Work / Cons

Fast-Charging Inconsistency at One Charger Setup

  • At least one fast-charging event was significantly slower than expected
    • Limited to about 120–140 kW rather than expected ~350 kW
  • Presenter suspects a factor tied to specific Ionity chargers (referred to as “AB chargers” at a particular location) and/or something specific to the GLC configuration
  • Time impact:
    • charging took about ~36–40 minutes instead of ~25 minutes
  • Confidence impact:
    • presenter notes it reduced trust in fast-charging reliability
  • Mitigation:
    • restarting/retrying and using a different pole improved results—suggesting a charger/station issue

Press Car Limitations

  • Steering assistant missing on the test vehicle, so it couldn’t be evaluated
  • Presenter indicates some features weren’t enabled (implying Mercedes Sweden didn’t order them for the press car)

Ride Feel Preference Varies

  • Comfort mode can feel “too soft”
  • Air suspension can exhibit a “rocking/swing” feel—some may love it, others may not

Charging Reliability Discussion (Context)

  • The presenter reports a worrying fast-charging slowdown that only occurred at certain chargers/conditions
  • They previously saw similar behavior with a CLA at the same station, but not consistently, so the root cause remains unclear
  • Anecdotal support: another GLC owner reported similar issues at the same Ionity ABB chargers location
  • Overall message: charging was successful, but occasionally inconsistent, affecting confidence

Overall Verdict / Recommendation (From the Video)

  • Recommendation tilt: generally positive on efficiency and drivability
  • Main concern: fast-charging inconsistency at certain stations/charger poles

If you prioritize:

  • efficiency at motorway speeds (120–130 km/h)
  • and you like air-suspension comfort with a smooth powertrain,

…the presenter frames the Mercedes GLC as a strong choice versus the BMW iX3.

However, the presenter suggests Mercedes should investigate the fast-charging behavior and compatibility, because unreliable fast charging could become a serious drawback for potential buyers.

Unique Points Mentioned (Consolidated)

  1. Mercedes GLC EQ flagship positioning; competitors: Volvo EX60, BMW iX3
  2. Air suspension lowers the car to reduce drag and improve high-speed efficiency
  3. 94 kWh battery, 360 kW / 489 hp; WLTP 633 km (up to 672 km configured)
  4. Two-speed gearbox strategy targeting consumption reduction; noticeable gear shift under certain acceleration
  5. Autobahn-focused design; claimed 120–130 km/h efficiency “sweet spot”
  6. Noise/comfort expectations: Volvo likely quieter, BMW iX3 used as reference
  7. Ride feel: “swing/rocking” exists; preferred firmer modes over soft Comfort; reduced small vibrations
  8. Mercedes cockpit: more classic layout + physical ventilation controls
  9. Press-car limitation: steering assistant missing; adaptive cruise control praised as smooth
  10. Charging convenience via plug-and-charge (MB Charge Public)
  11. Charging inconsistency at a specific Ionity charger set: ~120–140 kW instead of expected ~350 kW; longer time (~36–40 min vs ~25 min)
  12. Switching chargers/poles improved results, suggesting charger/station-specific issues
  13. Real-world consumption achieved: 18.5 kWh/100 km over 871 km
  14. BMW iX3 reference: 19.7 kWh/100 km (earlier similar route)
  15. Performance: claimed 0–100 in 4.3s, faster than BMW iX3 (with a caveat that BMW might still win in curves)
  16. Cost/finance note: charging cost references in SEK context (varies by scenario)
  17. Wants a future full review covering screens, back seat, luggage, and app

Speakers / Perspectives

  • Main speaker only: Kristoffer (Nerbusmagasinet), providing observations, comparisons, and charging/consumption results from the test day.

Original video