Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe: C253 vs C254
Verdict
The new-versus-outgoing choice is not as simple as more power. The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 costs RM399,888, makes 241 hp and 370 Nm, but the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 at RM425,888 is quicker at 6.3 seconds to 100 km/h, has a 31.2 kWh plug-in hybrid battery and can do 131 km on electric drive. It is also larger, with a 545-litre boot and a four-year warranty. The RM26,000 gap buys electrification, space and warranty cover; the C253 counters with stronger petrol-only outputs and CKD assembly.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 if you want the lower buy-in, higher petrol engine output and a simpler non-plug-in hybrid ownership brief.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 if you want the newer plug-in hybrid generation with 131 km EV range, more boot space and a longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 RM399,888; Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 RM425,888
- Power and torque: C253 241 hp/370 Nm; C254 201 hp/320 Nm
- 0-100 km/h and top speed: C253 6.5 s/236 km/h; C254 6.3 s/246 km/h
- Electrification: C253 no battery and 0 km EV range; C254 31.2 kWh battery and 131 km EV range
- Size and boot: C253 4,732 mm long with 500 L; C254 4,763 mm long with 545 L
- Warranty and road tax: C253 2 years/RM436; C254 4 years/RM440
C253
- Lower purchase price by RM26,000
- Higher output at 241 hp and 370 Nm
- 66-litre fuel tank versus 62 litres
- No EV driving range
- Smaller 500-litre boot
- Shorter two-year warranty
C254
- 131 km electric driving range from a 31.2 kWh battery
- Quicker 6.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Longer four-year warranty
- Costs RM26,000 more
- Lower listed output at 201 hp and 320 Nm
- Fully imported rather than CKD
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 399,888✓ | RM 425,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Plug-in Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 241 hp✓ | 201 hp |
| Torque | 370 Nm✓ | 320 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | — | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 83 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 127 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31.2 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 131 km✓ |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 6.5 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 236 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 169 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,732 mm | 4,763 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,602 mm | 1,699 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,873 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 1,785 kg | 1,945 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 545 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Latitude Sport 3 Run Flats | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated, Perforated Disc | Ventilated, Cross-drilled Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Sport Suspension (15 mm lower) | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Based on the Mercedes-Benz GLC | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Collision Prevention Assist Plus | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated, Ventilated | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 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, Tilt and Slide | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | Manual Rear Door Window Shades |
| Audio | Audio 20, 7.0-inch display | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot, contactless opening | Powered Boot with Hands-free Access |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 436✓ | RM 440 |
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.
C253 vs C254 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 or Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 is the better all-rounder on paper: it is quicker, roomier, has 131 km EV range and gets a four-year warranty. The C253 still makes sense if you prefer the cheaper, petrol-only car with higher listed power and torque.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 costs RM26,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253. That extra spend buys the plug-in hybrid battery, 131 km EV range, a larger boot and a longer warranty.
Which one is cheaper to tax in Malaysia?
There is almost nothing in it. The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 is RM436 a year, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 is RM440 a year, so road tax should not decide this comparison.