Introduction to the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+
Despite more focus than ever on its electric cars, Mercedes continues to offer enthusiasts of high-performance petrol engines plenty of options, notably so under the focused Mercedes-AMG brand.
This means that, while EV buyers are catered for by the Mercedes GLC Electric, at the other end of the spectrum is the GLC 53 4Matic+, a powerful petrol-fuelled SUV available in two body styles.
Exterior & design of the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+
• Menacing appearance
• SUV and 'Coupe' body styles
• Plenty of design package upgrades
Mercedes-AMG offers the GLC 53 4Matic+ in both conventional SUV and curvier 'Coupe' guises. Despite its performance and stance, it can be quite subtle looking, depending on how you specify it.
That's certainly the case if you stick with the standard 19-inch alloy wheels, which don't do the car any visual justice at all. There are 20- and 21-inch upgrades available.
For the most presence, pay €15,856 for the 'Golden Accents' package, bringing with it 'techgold' detailing and foiling, a few other exterior style details and a gorgeous set of 21-inch forged alloy wheels.
It also includes the AMG Design Plus package, and the two 'Night' packages. Those, and a carbon-fibre package, can be specified separately if you don't want to go the whole hog. Price aside, the Golden Accents option will only be for the first year of production of the car, and it's limited to one of two colours.
All variants get an AMG radiator grille and more pronounced front bumper, matched by protruding side sills, a spoiler at the back (on the roof for the SUV) and, of course, quad exhaust outlets.
Paint colours for the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+
A dozen paint colours are available for the GLC 53, plain black being the only one included in the base price. Polar white non-metallic is €437, while the five metallic hues - Verde silver, Obsidian black, Graphite grey, High-tech silver and Spectral blue - are €1,285.
The special 'Manufaktur' paints vary in price, from €2,444 for Opalite white bright or Patagonia red bright, to €3,729 for Alpine grey solid and then €6,825 for the two matte-effect colours, High-tech silver magno and Graphite grey magno.
Interior, practicality, tech & comfort of the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+
• Prominent AMG design
• Black-and-red theme standard
• Big central touchscreen
As subtle as you can have the exterior of your Mercedes-AMG GLC if you really want to, there's no disguising the car's remit when you open the doors.
The standard specification includes red seatbelts, a chunky, flat-bottomed AMG steering wheel with extra controls and black-and-red upholstery on the sports seats.
The latter is a mix of Artico synthetic leather and Dinamica synthetic suede, but it is possible to upgrade to genuine leather for a fee, and there are loads of colour combinations to consider, alongside the allure of soft Nappa leather.
Likewise, the trim elements are a metal weave by default and can be changed for myriad wood finishes at additional cost. Gorgeous carbon-fibre trim with metal threads is included with the Golden Accents package - as is leather upholstery, incidentally.
There are various seat upgrades available as well, allowing the fitment of electrically adjustable bucket seats that wouldn't look out of place in a supercar.
Getting comfortable in the driver's seat
The upgraded 'Performance' seats are exceptionally comfortable while also offering masses of support, though most buyers will likely be happy with the standard chairs, which come with loads of adjustment in every direction, including four-way lumbar support.
Likewise, the steering wheel's reach and rake ranges are generous, so it's easy to get a good driving position in the GLC, whether you want to be perched up high or sat on the floor.
Incidentally, keep an eye on the tick boxes when you're ordering the car, as, while heated front seats are standard, a heated steering wheel is extra. As are ventilated front seats.
Infotainment and technology
If you've sampled the Mercedes GLC Electric, the dashboard of the AMG GLC model may look like a step back in time. Well, relatively speaking, as this car does not run the newer MB.OS system.
The digital instruments and their graphics certainly look a bit yesterday, even if it all works well and is clear and easy to read.
In the middle, there's a large tilted-back touchscreen that's well laid out and has the climate controls always visible. We'd prefer separate physical switchgear for those, but you soon get used to it.
Augmented reality navigation is included - and it works brilliantly, overlaying live video footage with prominent directions - as is 'Digital Key' functionality. The head-up display is a costly extra, however, and audiophiles will be tempted by the excellent Burmester 3D surround-sound system.
A fingerprint sensor is included to allow personal setup of assorted items, there's extensive ambient lighting, three USB-C ports and of course, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Practicality
Within the tall centre console there's decent storage divided into two main, covered areas. Up front are cupholders and a wireless charging pad, while behind is a split-opening armrest revealing more space for bits and pieces. The door pockets are of a decent size, too, so the GLC has lost none of its practicality in transformation to a full AMG product.
Performance of the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+
• Massively customisable character
• Rousing engine note
• Too rigid in extreme settings
At the heart of the GLC 53 4Matic+ is a powerful turbocharged petrol engine. It's a 3.0-litre, straight-six unit, but there's a lot more going on than first meets the eye.
For starters, while the engine has one conventional exhaust turbocharger, it also has an electrically driven compressor supplementing it, filling in the gaps in the name of immediate response.
The peak figures are quoted as 449hp and 600Nm, while up to 640Nm of torque can be produced for up to 10 seconds at a time during 'overboost' phases. Hence the 0-100km/h time of 4.2 seconds.
There's also 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance in the form of an integrated starter-generator. This replaces both the traditional starting motor and the alternator, while also boosting the engine with up to 205Nm of torque and 23hp, especially at lower speeds.
The little plus sign on the end of the "4Matic" branding indicates that the AMG GLC has fully variable all-wheel drive, operating as rear-drive at times.
If you love driving, tick the option box marked "AMG Dynamic Plus Package" as that brings with it an electronically controlled limited slip differential for the rear axle (among many other things).
That includes a Drift mode for full rear-wheel drive, which seems nonsensical in an SUV such as this (the back tyres wouldn't last long if you deployed that on a track), but it should also mean a more rewarding driving experience on interesting roads thanks to the operation of the differential.
All versions get AMG's take on the nine-speed Mercedes automatic gearbox. It's called the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G and has several modes of operation.
Driving the Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+ Coupe in Hamburg
Words by Shane O' Donoghue on 26 May 2026
Though our test car was loaded to the hilt with most of the optional upgrades listed above, we have to admit that we didn't get extensive time with the car to put them all to the test.
Nonetheless, first impressions suggest that the GLC 53 will certainly live up to its owners' expectations for an SUV imbued with the spirit and character of the Mercedes-AMG brand.
Saying that, the character can be altered very quickly thanks to the wide range of driving options and how easy it is to switch between them.
The satellite controls below the steering-wheel spokes are quite sophisticated, with touch and press functionality for different features and settings, and they quickly bring up the requisite menu on the touchscreen for further tweaking and exploration. For example, within the Dynamics menu you can choose what level you're at - Master and Pro are two of the options designed to appeal to the owner's sense of self...
Even before you do that, the GLC 53 feels focused and sporty in a way that no regular Mercedes GLC does. The special seats and steering wheel help with this, while pressing the engine-start button summons it into life like no 'normal' engine with a rousing flare of revs.
Leave the car in its default settings and it's docile and easy to drive smoothly, though on the 21-inch wheels there's undoubtedly an underlying firmness to proceedings, and - pleasingly - the backbeat rumble from the four exhaust outlets is ever present.
The driver can then switch out of the Comfort setting to Slippery if the conditions demand it, or if they want to get under the skin of the AMG tuning, into Sport or Sport+. There's an Individual option as well, allowing the owner to pick and choose their favourite settings, while an additional mode - Race - is unlocked if you've opted for the AMG Dynamic Plus package.
All this is referred to as the AMG Dynamic Select system and it affects throttle response, the transmission, steering and suspension. The latter, AMG Ride Control, features coil springs and adaptive damping, its baseline set to one of three levels. There's no road in Ireland you'd feel happy with this in its hardest setting, though the middle option is enough to give the GLC significantly improved body control.
Massive brakes keep everything in check and the GLC 53 even gets rear-axle steering, turning the back wheels in the opposite direction to the fronts at up to 100km/h for a more agile feeling and in the same direction at higher speeds in the name of stability.
This system is incredibly useful when manoeuvring, making the GLC feel smaller than it is, but it also aids the agility through a sequence of tight corners, working with the direct front-axle steering rack to ensure the nose always feels biddable and responsive.
There's no denying it's a lot of fun. And when you do ramp up the driving settings, the engine truly comes alive as well, popping and banging in the exhaust like any true-blood AMG car.
That's especially the case if you choose the manual gearbox mode and use the fantastically tactile gearchange paddles behind the steering wheel. You'll change down gratuitously just to hear the engine at work. Not that you need to do that for meaningful acceleration at any stage thanks no doubt to the part-electrification of the powertrain.
Verdict - does the Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+ live up to the AMG badge?
Even died-in-the-wool petrolheads brought up on the heady fumes of V8-engined AMG sports saloons and coupes will have to admit that the AMG-fettled GLC is a special SUV.
Its technical specification is perhaps a little over the top for a car unlikely to be often used to the limit of its ability, but then again, buyers will be happy in the knowledge that it can mix it with some serious high-performance alternatives, while still able to play the regular SUV role in everyday life.
Want to know more about the Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+?
Feel free to drop us a message via the Ask Us Anything page if there's anything else you'd like to know about the Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4Matic+and our experience driving it.