
Drive.com, an Australian auto news site, has taken the time to compare a number of rivals versus the new Mercedes-Benz GLC. After all is said and done the GLC came out on top of the BMW X3, the Range Rover Evoque and the Lexus NX. Here's how the four vehicles measure up to one another (keep in mind that prices are in Australian dollars.)
BMW X3
Price: $74,600 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 180kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1250-4800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 7.3L/100km
The BMW X3 is the most powerful of the bunch with its 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine. It also is lauded as the most sporty with great handling, but that is a bit of a double-edged sword since it makes the ride less comfortable. That means more vibration and feel as you drive. It's sporty characteristics also make it better on-road, but it also isn't as good as some of the other vehicles when it comes to off-road ability.
Range Rover Evoque HSE Dynamic Si4
Price: From $80,605 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 177kW at 5800rpm
Torque: 340Nm at 1750rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 7.8L/100km
The Evoque wins when it comes to styling, although that styling, achieved partly through the coupe-style roof, sacrifices the interior space of the vehicle. The Evoque has a quiet and comfortable ride, and also has the best off-road capability of the four vehicles. The 9-speed automatic transmission can be a problem; it sometimes can get confused as to which gear to go with.
Lexus NX
Price: From $63,127 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 175kW at 4800-5600rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1650-4000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 7.9L/100km
The Lexus NX has the lowest price, and consequently has the best value. That cheaper price does show itself when it comes to the interior with some harder plastics and lacklustre design when compared to its rivals. It unfortunately has the worst fuel economy, and its transmission is a 6-speed automatic which makes it the only one of the four vehicles without a 9-speed automatic transmission. The ride is quite comfortable, though handling could be improved as it doesn't feel as grounded.
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Price: From $67,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 155kW at 5500rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1200-1400rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 7.2L/100km
After all has been said and done, the Mercedes-Benz GLC is touted as the winner of this comparison. The viewer says that it really doesn't have any weaknesses. The C-class sedan won the website's 2014 Drive Car of the Year award, and the GLC is based on the same underpinnings. It has an excellent ride, the best 9-speed automatic transmission of the group and the most fuel efficient engine as well. In comparison to the others it also has a roomier interior as it doesn't go with a sloped roofline like others.