The GLC-Class is a wholly competent crossover that could only benefit from more excitement.
Pros Quiet and refined, gorgeous and spacious interior, more practical than a C-Class.
Cons Lacks driving verve, limited cargo space, most driver assists aren't standard.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is comfortable and quiet, with few rivals in among small luxury crossovers.
Pros Great looks Performance potential in AMG versions Comfortable ride and interior Good rear seat room Good active safety features, standard and optional
Cons Top spec versions are pricey Refresh was very light Compromised outward vision in coupes Small rear doors in coupes
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class comes with rear wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 9-speed shiftable automatic.Now offers Mercedes' excellent MBUX infotainment system.More power for the GLC 300 and GLC 43.GLC 350e plug-in gets larger battery and more electric range.
Pros Balance of comfort and performance makes it an appealing daily driver Elegant design inside and out gives it a true luxury appearance Plenty of room for adult-size passengers in back Solid fuel economy from the standard four-cylinder engine
Cons Pricier than some rivals Some common standard driver aids are still optional
Perhaps we need to stop calling these cars SUVs, because the new Mazda CX-30 is really just a Mazda 3 on stilts, and all the better for it.
Pros Excellent dynamics Interior fit and finish Audio and infotainment system Active safety features Exterior and interior design, practical, makes more sense than a Mazda 3
Cons Ride felt a tad firm (European spec) Expected price premium over the Mazda 3 Infotainment housing a little old school Fits four adults at best
Slotting into the Mazda SUV lineup in the narrow space between the subcompact CX-3 and the compact CX-5 is the new—and curiously named—CX-30. Why isn't it called CX-4? We asked Mazda: It's kind of a long story. Regardless, we like the way it looks. Mazda's designers gave it a more severely forward-canted rear window and chunkier black-plastic body cladding to help differentiate the 2020 Mazda CX-30 from its other crossover siblings.The 2020 CX-30 shares much of its mechanicals and platform with the all-new Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback, so we expect it to have a 186-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. It's possible that Mazda's new gasoline-powered compression-ignition engine—which the company calls Skyactiv-X—is likely to be available in the CX-30 at some point down the road.
Good car, the Mazda CX-30. Handles well, looks smart and has a lovely interior. But as is always the case with crossovers – the conventional car on which it’s based (in this case the Mazda3 hatchback) is the sensible buy.
Pros Good-looking, decent to drive, lovely interior.
Cons Cramped rear, old-fashioned auto.
