New Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance 2023 review

3.0 out of 5

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The coil-spring suspension is paired with adaptive dampers and an active anti-roll system in place of the previous GLC 63’s air-sprung setup and does feel better for it. In ‘Race’ it’s very firm, but well controlled, softening off in its lesser modes to suit more everyday scenarios. 

The brakes, on the other hand, still have some rough edges. Like most hybrids, they blend both regenerative and friction braking systems, but as several rivals now crack the difficult job of combining the two, AMG still has its issues. Initial pedal feel is largely dead, and modulation is particularly poor. When you do find the bite-point, you realise the brakes are also overworked by the car’s potential for great speeds and the mass they have to slow down. 

At £108,000, it’s also very expensive for a mid-size SUV. It’s a price that despite being fully kitted up here in the UK, isn’t really represented in the cabin quality or materials, either. All the tech is there, including brilliant Digital LED headlights and an intuitive infotainment system, but the material quality is lacking. This is a sentiment shared with GLCs that cost barely half what the 63 does, which only makes the shortfall of this AMG flagship all the more glaring. 

Yet its biggest issue remains its puzzling lack of desirability. To the SUV crowd that want the latest, extraverted high performance family car, the GLC’s lack of a V8 will be a problem. If you’re more concerned with an engaging driving experience, it has issues there too.

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