Mercedes-AMG used to be my attainable white whale brand. One of my buddies in college had a Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG that had an exhaust note to die for and delivered a gut punch that was stronger than anything I had ever felt. A few rides in that beast had me scrolling my life away in an attempt to find an affordable model to call my own. That, though, never happened.
It’s been a long time since I first got to experience the C55 AMG, but the brand has been on my bucket list. The AMG E 63 Wagon and AMG GT would compromise my ideal and somewhat realistic (at least if I were to buy well-used examples) two-car garage. So, when I was allowed to drive the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe, I had mixed emotions.
As an AMG fan, the GLC 43 Coupe stands for everything AMG of old isn’t, but it represents a new era of AMG for a new generation of fans.
What The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Gets Right
Make no mistake, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is a hooligan. It might be down a few cylinders to AMG’s high-powered brutes and models from yesteryear, but it packs a wallop. It also follows in the footsteps of modern Mercedes-Benz vehicles with a plush cabin.
Seriously Quick Acceleration
With a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the GLC 43 is rated at 416 horsepower. That’s not much in the modern era of electrified performance, but it’s a hefty upgrade over the base GLC 300 that’s rated at 255 horsepower. The result of the AMG goodies is a claimed zero-to-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds, which feels conservative. The SUV feels quicker in a straight line than that figure lets on, snorting and barking its way to numbers well above posted speed limit signs.
Playful, But Engaging
The handcrafted engine, which features some tech from the world of Formula 1, will be the main draw, but the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 also delivers sharp handling that was once exclusive to sports cars. Adaptive suspension, rear-wheel steering, and an AMG-tuned all-wheel-drive system ensure the AMG GLC 43 is more than just a one-trick pony. This pony can keep up with modern sports cars on a windy road, tackling windy roads fluidly in a way that feels cohesive with the rest of the package.
Surprisingly Comfortable
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 may be a hopped up GLC that’s received the AMG treatment, but it’s still a plush way to get around when you’re not in a hurry. The engine mellows out and the ride, while stiff, isn’t overly harsh. With premium interior materials, supportive seats, and high-end convenience features, the AMG GLC 43’s cabin feels like a proper Mercedes.
What The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Doesn’t Do Well
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 may have performance befitting an AMG and the cabin of a Mercedes, but there are a few drawbacks. The first and most obvious one is price. The AMG GLC 43 starts at $71,750 and the SUV we tested was priced at $78,830 because of a few options. At that price, you could realistically get a sports car and a small SUV, like the Toyota GR Supra and Chevrolet Trax. But the whole point of vehicles like the AMG GLC 43 is that they can do everything.
Confusing Controls
Mercedes loads the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 with stunning tech features, but they’re not easy to use, especially for the demographic that can actually afford the vehicle. The touch-capacitive controls on the steering wheel are an ergonomic nightmare, while the central display’s menus can be difficult to navigate. The SUV also has one too many settings for the various drive modes, leaving us to believe that some owners will spend more time configuring the vehicle perfectly instead of going out for a drive.
Styling Over Interior Space
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe is a fine-looking machine, but it prioritizes styling over interior space. The SUV’s heavily raked roofline results in tight quarters for passengers sitting in the back and a limited amount of cargo space. Unless you’re really into the whole coupe-inspired SUV craze, the regular version of the AMG GLC 43 is the better buy.
Some Unrefined Stumbles
With a spunky engine with more than 400 horsepower, you’ll be thankful for having strong brakes to stomp on after spotting a cop in the bushes. The problem with the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43’s brakes is that they’re too sensitive. The pedal feels like it travels a quarter of an inch, but in that quarter of an inch, you’re being catapulted through the windshield.
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43’s nine-speed automatic transmission is another area where the SUV showcases some of its oddities. The gearbox utilizes a wet clutch that can engage oddly. At low speeds, the transmission feels clunky, making it difficult to move off the line smoothly, and when you get going, a few gears are accompanied by a surge.
The Verdict
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 may not be as powerful as some of its competitors and it’s mighty expensive, but it’s a luxurious, sporty, and characterful SUV. Mercedes-AMG asks a lot from the GLC 43, but it delivers on all fronts. It has a few niggles, but it’s a compelling overall package that is sure to attract a new crop of AMG fans. Just like the C55 AMG did for me a decade ago.
