The more, the merrier. In 2027, Mercedes-Benz’s Affalterbach branch takes its highly successful recipe for success and cranks the dial another turn. Available in both the GLC53 SUV and “coupe,” which are expected to arrive in the United States later this year, the new GLC53 replaces the GLC43. The look isn’t much different, but a change in naming convention speaks volumes about what has changed beneath the hood; whereas the old GLC43 was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the new GLC53 boasts an AMG-enhanced version of Mercedes-Benz’s 3.0-liter straight six.
An increase in size, capacity, and the number of cylinders doesn’t provide a drastic increase in horsepower, but one can attribute this mainly to the fact that the four-cylinder engine used in the previous generation had already been squeezed of nearly all of its juice. The new GLC53 only gains 6 percent in terms of horsepower, coming out with 443 hp. However, torque is up significantly, increasing by 20 percent to 443 lb-ft and providing even higher levels of overboost torque at up to 472 lb-ft.
Among the updates over the Mercedes-Benz version of the turbocharged/electric supercharged engine is a new cylinder head with optimized inlet and exhaust valves, a new inlet camshaft, new inlet system with increased capacity, and a new intercooler. The modified turbocharger produces up to 21.8 psi of pressure, while the electric supercharger produces 10 hp (compared to 7 horsepower in the regular model) and can operate for an extended time. The integrated starter motor placed between the engine and the nine-speed automatic AMG Speedshift TCT transmission provides up to 23 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque at low speeds.
Back in the good ol’ days, the talk was of performance gains via new exhaust systems. Today’s reality is much different; now, we talk about performance gained through noise. The exhaust system fitted into the new GLC53 has specially tuned resonators, creating an engine note whose intensity is determined by the current drive mode. It emits characteristic pops and crackles when releasing the throttle, and, if that isn’t enough, the GLC53 is also equipped with AMG’s Real Performance Sound exhaust system.
These new output numbers come via new graphs. Whereas the output peak of 416 hp came at 6,750 rpm for the turbo four, the output peak range for the GLC53 engine is 5,500 rpm to 6,100 rpm. Also, it peaks in torque between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm, compared to 369 lb-ft, which peaked only at 5,000 rpm. The addition of extra mid-range torque has trimmed 0.7 seconds off the four-cylinder model’s 0–60-mph acceleration time. While it took us 4.6 seconds to accelerate the GLC43 model to 60 mph, we expect the GLC53 to do that in 3.9 seconds. Furthermore, it makes the new model feel less taut on the road compared to the GLC43.
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Where things continue to feel tight, however, is the new steel spring suspension system. Engineers at AMG have tuned in greater differences between comfort, sport, and sport plus settings for their adaptive shock absorbers when it comes to how they compress and rebound. Our time driving in and around Hamburg, Germany, tells us that even with its comfort settings engaged, the GLC53 is sure to twitch at surface drains in the suburbia surrounding the city and bounce nervously along concrete-slab autobahns. While 20-inch wheels (with 21-inch wheels being optional) and low profile tires may allow the GLC53 to feel confident at high speed cornering on the autobahn, it’s going to be sure to catch all of the imperfections while cruising through Trader Joe’s parking lot.
It is equipped with rear-wheel steering, which involves a turn angle of 2.5 degrees in opposite direction to the front wheels within speeds below 60 mph in order to ensure better maneuverability. In case speed surpasses 60 mph, it involves a turn of 0.7 degrees in the same direction as the fronts in order to enhance the stability of the car. Steel brakes with a 15.4-inch rotor fitted in the front part and two separate pistons clamped by AMG calipers have been installed, while the 14.2-inch rear rotors are coupled with a single piston caliper each. AMG aficionados would notice the installation of the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package in case the calipers installed were colored red. Besides increasing the top speed from 155 to 167 mph, it includes an electronic rear differential, active engine mounts, Race drive modes, as well as the Drift mode, in which the all-wheel-drive system is transformed into a rear-wheel drive. Well, I wonder what the purpose of spending money on equipment with no application in the United States can be.
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The color and trim option available for 2027 GLC53s is the Golden Accents Package, with an exterior combination of either Obsidian Black Metallic or Graphite Grey Magno with the details painted in gold. This package further offers the owner of the car 21-inch forged cross-spoke wheels that feature matte black surfaces along with gold-accented rims and AMG logo center caps, and black brake calipers featuring AMG logos in white, with the fuel filler cap being silver chromed with black AMG styling features. Some exterior changes made in this option also include front fascias with extended front splitters, flics and other aero parts finished in gloss black and larger spoilers of the same type on the roof spoiler of the SUV version and the rear spoiler of the Coupe variant. On the interior side, the Golden Accents option will offer black leather AMG sport seats with contrast inserts and stitches on the same parts, together with the AMG floormats and carbon fiber elements, all of them finished in a gold-like weave.
Package one thing, package another. AMG has been all about performance engineering before; basically, making stock Mercedes-Benz models go quicker. The mission shift from the marketing team does, however, seem a little more blatant with the GLC53. As for the interior, it does begin to show its age in comparison to the spectacular Hyperscreen display of the new 2027 electric-powered GLC, but if you are looking for a quick, taut-handling, noisy little SUV, the base AMG GLC53 is perfect.
| 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLC53 Specifications | |
| BASE PRICE | $75,000-$81,000 (est) |
| LAYOUT | Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door hybrid SUV |
| ENGINE | 3.0L/443-hp/472-lb-ft e-supercharged and turbocharged DOHC 24-valve I-6, plus 23-hp/151-lb-ft electric motor; 443 hp/472 lb-ft comb |
| TRANSMISSION | 9-speed auto |
| CURB WEIGHT | 4,600-5,000 lb (mfr) |
| WHEELBASE | 113.7-117.0 in |
| L x W x H | 188.7-190.7 x 74.4 x 63.1-64.7 in |
| 0–60 MPH | 4.1 sec (mfr est) |
| EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON | Not yet tested |
| EPA RANGE, COMB | N/A |
| ON SALE | Fall 2026 |
