Verdict
At RM299,000, the Denza D9 costs RM30,888 less than the RM329,888 Mercedes-Benz GLC and answers a very different Malaysian family brief. Its 103.36-kWh battery brings a claimed 520 km EV range, while seven seats, rear captain’s chairs with ventilation and massage, plus power sliding doors make it the clear people-mover. The GLC is 534 mm shorter, reaches 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds against 9.5 seconds, has all-wheel drive and a larger 620-litre boot. Pick the D9 for passengers; take the GLC for a smaller, quicker five-seat SUV.
Pick the Denza D9 if seven seats, a claimed 520 km electric range and properly luxurious second-row travel matter more than outright pace and boot volume.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you need a compact five-seat SUV with all-wheel drive, a 620-litre boot and a 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Denza D9 RM299,000; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888.
- Seating: Denza D9 seven seats; Mercedes-Benz GLC five seats.
- Powertrain: Denza D9 has a 308-hp, 360-Nm electric motor and 103.
- Range and refuelling: Denza D9 claims 520 km EV range with 11-kW AC and 166-kW DC charging; GLC has a 62-litre petrol tank.
- Performance: Denza D9 takes 9.5 seconds from 0-100 km/h; GLC takes 7.8 seconds and reaches 221 km/h.
- Boot space: Denza D9 has 410 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC has 620 litres.
D9
- Seven seats with ventilated, massaging second-row captain’s chairs and ottomans.
- 103.36-kWh battery, claimed 520 km range and 166-kW DC charging.
- Power sliding rear doors, 15.6-inch screen and 14-speaker Dynaudio audio.
- 9.5-second 0-100 km/h time trails the GLC’s 7.8 seconds.
- 410-litre boot is 210 litres smaller than the GLC’s.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the GLC’s all-wheel drive.
GLC
- 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time and 221 km/h top speed.
- All-wheel drive and 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic.
- 620-litre boot, 210 litres more than the D9.
- Only five seats against the D9’s seven.
- No EV range, battery capacity or charging capability.
- Rear accommodation lacks the D9’s ventilated, massaging captain’s chairs, ottomans and power sliding doors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM299,000✓ | RM329,888 |
| Body type | MPV | SUV |
| Segment | D-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM335✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp |
| Torque | — | 320 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 308 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 360 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 103.36 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 520 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 166 kW | — |
| V2L | 6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds | 7.8 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 221 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,250 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,950 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,920 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,110 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Fuel Tank | — | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/60R18 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/60R18 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Multi-spoke Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Frequency Selective variable dampers | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Middle and Outer Third Row Seats | Available on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating |
| Rear Seats | Second-row Captain Seats with Ventilation, Massaging and Ottoman Support, 60:40 Split-folding Third Row | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Front Single-pane Sunroof, Panoramic Rear Glass Roof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 1 Wireless Charger Front, 2 Wireless Chargers Rear, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 4 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 14-speaker Dynaudio Sound System | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Power Door | Rear Sliding Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Heated and Cooled Compartment, Second Row Tray Tables | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used D9 & GLC for sale
D9 vs GLC FAQ
Is the Denza D9 or Mercedes-Benz GLC better?
The Denza D9 is better for carrying up to seven people in comfort and driving electrically for a claimed 520 km. The Mercedes-Benz GLC is better if you want a quicker, smaller all-wheel-drive SUV with a 620-litre boot.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM30,888 more than the Denza D9: RM329,888 versus RM299,000.
Which has the better rear-seat experience?
The Denza D9 does. Its second-row captain’s chairs have ventilation, massage and ottoman support, and passengers also get tray tables, rear wireless chargers and power sliding doors. The GLC has a 40:20:40 split-folding rear bench.