by Aiden Eksteen
If you're not driving a pickup truck as an American, then you probably own a crossover SUV. With popularity for SUVs growing exponentially throughout the USA, soon just about everybody will be driving one. It's not unusual for shoppers to follow trends, but there are also many that endeavor to stand out, which is the market the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe aims to appease. Empowered by a 385-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine and AMG-tuned apparatus, the 2021 AMG GLC 43 Coupe is a bonafide performance SUV that can back up its strikingly sporty aesthetics. Though it may not be the most practical or affordable vehicle, it's charms are hard to ignore, like the luxurious interior and long list of comfort features. With the more suave Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and the faster and more affordable BMW X4 M40i, however, this first-generation AMG GLC 43 Coupe has its work cut out for it.
For the 2021 model year, the AMG GLC 43 Coupe SUV line receives an enhanced specification. Mercedes has added a surround-view camera system, rear cross-traffic alert, and Parktronic with active parking assistance as standard. Cirrus Silver becomes available as a new color choice, while hands-free access, parking damage detection, and a dash cam can be specced as standalone options.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe |
3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 Gas
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$64,900 |
With up to 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque at its helm courtesy of a 3.0-liter twin-turbo 6-cylinder gas engine, the AMG GLC 43 Coupe slots in below the AMG GLC 63 within the AMG coupe-SUV line. The bi-turbo V6 unit comes mated with an AMG-tuned 9-speed automatic transmission that directs power to an AMG-Performance 4Matic all-wheel drivetrain. Engage full throttle, and the GLC 43 will launch from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and quickly reach its top speed of 130 mph. When properly equipped, the GLC 43 Coupe is rated for a maximum towing capacity of 3,500-pounds.
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
As is typically the case when Mercedes and AMG come together to forge a tailored car, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe is a genuinely fast and entertaining SUV that bears a fitting aesthetic. It's an attractive proposition with its fine balance in performance and pricing that positions it as an equitable middle-ground between the four-cylinder GLC 300 and the V8-equipped GLC 63. The price of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe SUV comes in at $64,900, which is certainly worth paying considering that you also get an exquisite interior and a comprehensive consignment of modern creature comforts, conveniences, and advanced driver assists. While neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has given the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe a review, the fundamentally identical GLC SUV returned an excellent safety rating that the 5-door coupe should share in most respects.
If you're all about the competitiveness in the classification, then you'll want to know that the BMW M40i is faster than the AMG, boasting a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. It's slightly more affordable, too. The Merc is still a marvelous performance-SUV and any AMG fan will likely love it.
Mercedes-AMG presents the GLC 43 Coupe SUV as a specialty, standalone offering with several packages and options to choose from. The digital driver display and AMG head-up display are tempting options with how they augment the GLC 43's advanced and upscale cabin, along with the leather seating upholstery. With just how expensive the GLC 43 Coupe is, we'd also suggest opting in the Driver Assistance Package. This incorporates adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot assist, congestion emergency braking, route-based speed control, and a lot more.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo