Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the RM41,000 jump from the RM288,888 GLC X253 to the RM329,888 GLC X254 buys meaningful everyday hardware: 620 litres of boot space against 550 litres, all-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive, and a 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time versus 8.7 seconds. The X254 also brings a 201 hp mild-hybrid petrol powertrain, 360-degree camera and far better cabin tech. The older X253 remains the budget-conscious choice, with a larger 66-litre tank and rear automatic climate control.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 if RM41,000 saved, a 66-litre fuel tank and rear automatic climate control matter more than newer driver assistance and infotainment.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 if you want 201 hp, all-wheel drive, 620 litres of boot space and a four-year manufacturer warranty.
Key differences
- Price: GLC X253 RM288,888; GLC X254 RM329,888.
- Power and torque: GLC X253 184 hp and 300 Nm; GLC X254 201 hp and 320 Nm, plus a 23 hp/205 Nm mild-hybrid motor.
- Driveline and acceleration: GLC X253 rear-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds; GLC X254 all-wheel drive and 7.8 seconds.
- Dimensions and boot: GLC X253 is 4,656 mm long with 550 litres; GLC X254 is 4,716 mm long with 620 litres.
- Wheels and fuel tank: GLC X253 has 19-inch wheels and a 66-litre tank; GLC X254 has 20-inch wheels and a 62-litre tank.
- Warranty: GLC X253 has a two-year manufacturer warranty plus two-year extended warranty; GLC X254 has a four-year manufacturer warranty.
X253
- RM41,000 less to buy.
- Larger 66-litre fuel tank.
- Rear single-zone automatic climate control and manual rear door window shades.
- 184 hp and 300 Nm trail the X254's 201 hp and 320 Nm.
- Rear-wheel drive and 8.7-second 0-100 km/h performance lose to all-wheel drive and 7.8 seconds.
- No blind-spot information system, steering lane correction or 360-degree camera.
X254
- 201 hp mild-hybrid petrol powertrain with 320 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 620-litre boot, 70 litres larger than the X253's.
- 11.9-inch MBUX touchscreen, 360-degree camera, heated memory front seats and blind-spot information system.
- RM41,000 more expensive.
- 62-litre fuel tank is 4 litres smaller.
- Rear occupants get air-con vents rather than the X253's rear single-zone automatic climate control.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM288,888✓ | RM329,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM436✓ | RM440 |
| 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, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 320 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 83 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds | 7.8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 221 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 135 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,656 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,639 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,873 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 1,705 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 550 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli Scorpion Verde | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Agility Control suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| 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 on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Collision Prevention Assist Plus | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | Audio 20, 7.0-inch display | 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 | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive 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 | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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 | — |
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 cars for sale
X253 vs X254 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 or Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 better?
The GLC X254 is the better-equipped and quicker car: it has 201 hp, all-wheel drive, a 620-litre boot, blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera. Choose the X253 only if its RM41,000 lower price and larger fuel tank outweigh those gains.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 costs RM329,888, which is RM41,000 more than the RM288,888 Mercedes-Benz GLC X253.
Which GLC has the larger boot?
The GLC X254 has the larger boot at 620 litres, compared with 550 litres in the GLC X253. That is a 70-litre advantage for the newer generation.