Verdict
The RM329,888 Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM55,084 less than the RM384,972 Volkswagen Touareg, yet both are CKD, five-seat all-wheel-drive SUVs with 20-inch wheels and 360-degree cameras. The GLC suits buyers wanting a more compact 4,716 mm footprint, a 1 kWh mild-hybrid battery and an extra driver’s-knee airbag. The Touareg earns its premium with 335 hp and 450 Nm against 201 hp and 320 Nm, a 6.0-second sprint, air suspension and an 810-litre boot. Its RM1,632 annual road tax versus RM440 is the running-cost sting.
GLC
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you want the smaller SUV, mild-hybrid assistance, auto parking and substantially lower annual road tax.
Touareg
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need 335 hp, air suspension, a 90-litre tank and 810 litres of luggage space.
Key differences
- Performance: GLC has 201 hp and 320 Nm; Touareg has 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- Acceleration: GLC reaches 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds; Touareg does it in 6.0 seconds.
- Boot space: GLC provides 620 litres; Touareg provides 810 litres.
- Fuel tank: GLC has a 62-litre tank; Touareg has a 90-litre tank.
- Size: GLC is 4,716 mm long with a 2,888 mm wheelbase; Touareg is 4,878 mm long with a 2,984 mm wheelbase.
- Road tax: GLC costs RM440 a year; Touareg costs RM1,632 a year.
GLC
- 1 kWh mild-hybrid system with a 23 hp, 205 Nm motor.
- Driver’s-knee airbag and auto parking.
- Shorter 4,716 mm body for a less bulky footprint.
- 201 hp and 320 Nm trail the Touareg by 134 hp and 130 Nm.
- 620-litre boot is 190 litres smaller than the Touareg’s.
- No air suspension, night vision or adaptive cruise control.
Touareg
- 335 hp, 450 Nm V6 and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Air suspension at both axles.
- 810-litre boot, HD Matrix LED headlamps and adaptive cruise control.
- RM1,632 annual road tax is RM1,192 higher than the GLC’s.
- At 4,878 mm long and 1,984 mm wide, it is 162 mm longer and 94 mm wider than the GLC.
- No driver’s-knee airbag or auto parking.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 329,888✓ | RM 384,972 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | V |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 83 mm | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 9 | 8 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.8 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 221 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,716 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,640 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,888 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 620 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two rear seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| 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 | Rear AC Vents | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Rear Window Shades | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 440✓ | RM 1,632 |
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.
GLC vs Touareg FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Touareg is better for power, ride hardware and load carrying, with 335 hp, air suspension and an 810-litre boot. Choose the GLC for its smaller footprint, mild-hybrid motor, auto parking and far lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Touareg costs RM55,084 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Which SUV has more luggage space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the larger boot at 810 litres, 190 litres more than the Mercedes-Benz GLC’s 620 litres.