Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer choosing new versus outgoing, the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 is the more rounded family SUV: its 620-litre boot adds 70 litres, the wheelbase grows by 15 mm to 2,888 mm, and all-wheel drive replaces rear-wheel drive. The 23 hp, 205 Nm mild-hybrid motor and 201 hp petrol engine do not improve the quoted 0-100 km/h time, however; both need 7.8 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 Facelift remains the rational used-car route, with a larger 66-litre tank and LED projector headlamps, but its two-year manufacturer warranty is half the X254’s four years.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 Facelift if you want the lower entry cost, a 66-litre fuel tank and LED projector headlamps.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 if you want all-wheel drive, a 620-litre boot, four years of manufacturer warranty and newer cabin hardware.
Key differences
- Powertrain: X253 Facelift has a 1,991 cc 194 hp turbo petrol engine; X254 has a 1,999 cc 201 hp turbo petrol engine plus a 23 hp/205 Nm mild-hybrid motor.
- Driveline: X253 Facelift is rear-wheel drive; X254 is all-wheel drive.
- Boot space: X253 Facelift has 550 litres; X254 has 620 litres.
- Wheelbase: X253 Facelift measures 2,873 mm; X254 measures 2,888 mm.
- Fuel tank: X253 Facelift holds 66 litres; X254 holds 62 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: X253 Facelift gets two years; X254 gets four years.
X253 Facelift
- Lower purchase price
- 66-litre fuel tank versus 62 litres
- LED projector headlamps
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- 550-litre boot is 70 litres smaller
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years
X254
- All-wheel drive
- 620-litre boot and 2,888 mm wheelbase
- Heated memory front seats, 11.9-inch MBUX screen and 360-degree camera
- Costs more to buy
- 62-litre tank is 4 litres smaller
- LED reflector headlamps instead of LED projectors
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM299,539✓ | 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 | 194 hp | 201 hp✓ |
| Torque | 320 Nm | 320 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 83 mm | 83 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 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 | 7.8 seconds | 7.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 217 km/h | 221 km/h✓ |
| 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 | 255/45R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 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 | 20" Five-twin-spoke Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Five-twin-spoke Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Off-road Comfort Suspension - 20 mm Higher | — |
| 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 | Rear Vents | 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 (64 colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Touchpad, Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 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 | Full LCD Monitor | 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 Facelift vs X254 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 Facelift or Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 is better for most buyers because it adds all-wheel drive, a 620-litre boot, steering correction for lane keeping and a four-year manufacturer warranty. The X253 Facelift makes more sense when lower purchase cost and its larger fuel tank matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 Facelift costs RM299,539 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 costs RM329,888, so the X254 costs RM30,349 more.
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 quicker than the X253 Facelift?
No. Despite the X254’s 201 hp petrol engine and 23 hp mild-hybrid motor, both SUVs have the same quoted 0-100 km/h time of 7.8 seconds. The X254 has the higher top speed, at 221 km/h versus 217 km/h.