Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Denza Z9 GT asks RM38,802 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLC, then adds a 122.49-kWh battery, 600-km EV range and a startling 2.7-second 0-100 km/h time against 7.8 seconds. Its RM9,140 annual road tax is the hard reality, however, beside the GLC’s RM440. The Mercedes is 464 mm shorter and has a 620-litre boot, 125 litres more than the Denza, so it is the more rational premium family choice. Pick the Z9 GT for its extraordinary pace and much richer rear-seat specification.
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if you want 1,140 hp from three motors, 600 km of EV range and powered, ventilated massage front seats with powered rear seats and leg rests.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you want to spend RM38,802 less, pay RM8,700 less in annual road tax and carry more luggage in a shorter SUV.
Key differences
- Price: Denza Z9 GT RM368,690; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888.
- Annual road tax: Denza Z9 GT RM9,140; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM440.
- 0-100 km/h: Denza Z9 GT 2.7 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLC 7.8 seconds.
- Length: Denza Z9 GT 5,180 mm; Mercedes-Benz GLC 4,716 mm.
- Boot space: Denza Z9 GT 495 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres.
- Powertrain: Denza Z9 GT has three motors rated at 1,140 hp; Mercedes-Benz GLC has a 201-hp 1,999-cc petrol engine and 23-hp mild-hybrid motor.
Z9 GT
- 2.7-second 0-100 km/h acceleration versus 7.8 seconds.
- 122.49-kWh battery, 600-km EV range and 1,500-kW DC charging rating.
- Powered rear seats with leg rests, power doors, front and rear fridges, plus a 20-speaker Devialet system.
- RM38,802 dearer to buy and RM9,140 a year in road tax versus RM440.
- 495-litre boot is 125 litres smaller than the GLC’s.
- 5,180-mm body is 464 mm longer than the GLC’s.
GLC
- RM329,888 purchase price and RM440 annual road tax.
- 620-litre boot, 125 litres larger than the Denza’s.
- 4,716-mm length is 464 mm shorter than the Denza Z9 GT’s.
- 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Denza’s 2.7 seconds.
- Passive cruise control instead of the Denza’s adaptive cruise control.
- No panoramic sunroof, head-up display, powered rear seats or power doors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,690 | RM329,888✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM9,140 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) | 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 | 3 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 1,140 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 1,210 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 122.49 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 600 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 1,500 kW | — |
| V2L | 4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 2.7 seconds✓ | 7.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 221 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,180 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,990 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,490 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 2,895 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R20 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two Rear 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, Memory and Massaging | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating |
| Rear Seats | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB 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, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen | 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 | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, e3 Parking | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | All Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Front and Rear Fridges | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage 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 Z9 GT & GLC for sale
Z9 GT vs GLC FAQ
Is the Denza Z9 GT or Mercedes-Benz GLC better?
The Denza Z9 GT is better for outright performance, EV driving and equipment, with 1,140 hp, 600 km of range and a 2.7-second sprint. The GLC is better if lower purchase cost, RM440 road tax and its 620-litre boot matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM368,690 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM329,888, so the Denza costs RM38,802 more.
Which has the larger boot?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the larger boot at 620 litres. The Denza Z9 GT has 495 litres, leaving the GLC with a 125-litre advantage.