Mercedes-Benz GLC vs Volvo S60
Verdict
The GLC asks RM329,888, RM14,000 more than the S60, and you can see where the trade goes: Mercedes gives you SUV packaging, 620 litres of boot space, five doors and a taller 1,640 mm body. Volvo hits back hard mechanically, with 314 hp and 400 Nm against 201 hp and 320 Nm, plus a 145 hp motor, 18.8 kWh battery and 90 km EV range. It is also far quicker at 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus 7.8 seconds, while road tax is lower at RM365 versus RM440.
GLC
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you need the SUV body, five-door access and 620-litre boot more than outright pace or plug-in hybrid running.
S60
Pick the Volvo S60 if you want the quicker, cheaper plug-in hybrid sedan, with 90 km EV range, active cruise control and a longer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888; Volvo S60 RM315,888
- Output: Mercedes-Benz GLC 201 hp/320 Nm; Volvo S60 314 hp/400 Nm
- Electric hardware: Mercedes-Benz GLC 1 kWh battery/no EV range; Volvo S60 18.8 kWh battery/90 km EV range
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz GLC 7.8 seconds; Volvo S60 4.5 seconds
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres; Volvo S60 391 litres
- Warranty: Mercedes-Benz GLC 4 years/unlimited mileage; Volvo S60 5 years/unlimited mileage plus 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty
GLC
- Much larger 620-litre boot versus the S60’s 391 litres
- Five-door SUV body is more practical than the S60’s four-door sedan layout
- Power-adjustable front seats include memory and heating; S60 lists driver memory but no heating
- Costs RM14,000 more than the S60
- Much slower: 7.8 seconds to 100 km/h versus 4.5 seconds
- No listed EV range or AC charging; S60 gets 90 km EV range and 7 kW Type 2 charging
S60
- Far stronger on paper with 314 hp and 400 Nm versus 201 hp and 320 Nm
- Plug-in hybrid system has a 145 hp motor, 18.8 kWh battery and 90 km EV range
- Longer 5-year warranty, plus 8-year/160,000 km battery coverage
- Smaller 391-litre boot versus the GLC’s 620 litres
- Rear seats have no split-folding function listed; GLC gets 40:20:40 split-folding
- No electric steering adjustment listed; GLC has it
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 329,888 | RM 315,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with turbocharger, supercharger, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,999 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 201 hp | 314 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 83 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 23 hp | 145 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 205 Nm | 309 Nm✓ |
| Battery Type | — | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | 18.8 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | — | 90 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 7 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-Tronic | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| Gears | 9 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.8 seconds | 4.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 221 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 46 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,716 mm | 4,761 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,640 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,888 mm | 2,872 mm |
| Weight | — | 2,041 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | 60 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 620 litres✓ | 391 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Six Spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloys | 19" Six Spoke Diamond Cut/Matte Black 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) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| 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 | Electric 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 rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | — |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot |
| 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 | — |
| Audio | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers | 9" Portrait Android Automotive OS Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 14-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (600W) |
| 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 Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Park Assist Pilot with Parallel and Perpendicular Parking |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | 160,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | — | 8 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 440 | RM 365✓ |
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 S60 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC or Volvo S60 better?
For the numbers, the Volvo S60 is stronger: it is cheaper, quicker, more powerful and has 90 km EV range. Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC if SUV practicality and the 620-litre boot matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC costs RM329,888 and the Volvo S60 costs RM315,888, so the Mercedes-Benz is RM14,000 dearer. Its road tax is also higher at RM440 a year versus RM365.
Which one is quicker?
The Volvo S60 is much quicker, doing 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds against the Mercedes-Benz GLC’s 7.8 seconds. It also has more output, at 314 hp and 400 Nm.