Verdict
The Denza Z9 GT is the far more extreme machine: its three motors produce 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds against the GLC’s 7.8 seconds. Its 122.49-kWh battery claims 600 km of EV range, while air suspension, powered rear seats with leg rests and a 20-speaker Devialet system make it the more lavish cabin. But the GLC has a useful 620-litre boot to the Denza’s 495 litres, and its RM440 annual road tax is dramatically easier to live with than RM9,140. The Denza is for performance and EV luxury; the GLC is the more restrained everyday proposition.
Z9 GT
Pick the Denza Z9 GT if you want 1,140 hp EV performance, 600 km claimed range and rear-seat luxury features the GLC does not have.
GLC
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you need the larger 620-litre boot and want to avoid the Denza’s RM9,140 annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Denza Z9 GT RM368,690; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM329,888.
- Powertrain: Denza Z9 GT has three electric motors producing 1,140 hp and 1,210 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLC has a 201-hp 2.
- Acceleration: Denza Z9 GT does 0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLC takes 7.8 seconds.
- Energy and range: Denza Z9 GT has a 122.49-kWh battery and 600 km EV range; Mercedes-Benz GLC has a 62-litre petrol tank.
- Boot space: Denza Z9 GT 495 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLC 620 litres.
- Annual road tax: Denza Z9 GT RM9,140; Mercedes-Benz GLC RM440.
Z9 GT
- 2.7-second 0-100 km/h acceleration and 1,140 hp from three motors.
- 122.49-kWh battery with 600 km claimed EV range, 11-kW AC and 1,500-kW DC charging.
- Air suspension, powered rear seats with leg rests, massage and 20-speaker Devialet audio.
- 495-litre boot is 125 litres smaller than the GLC’s.
- RM9,140 annual road tax is RM8,700 higher than the GLC’s.
- RM38,802 more expensive than the GLC.
GLC
- 620-litre boot is larger than the Denza’s 495 litres.
- RM440 annual road tax is far lower than the Denza’s RM9,140.
- CKD assembly, 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic and a 62-litre petrol tank.
- 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Denza’s 2.7 seconds.
- Front seats have heating but no ventilation or massage, and the rear bench lacks powered adjustment and leg rests.
- No panoramic sunroof, head-up display, power doors or rear fridges.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,690 | RM329,888✓ |
| Body type | Wagon | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM9,140 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 1,000V architecture (e3 Platform) | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | — | 320 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 3 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 1,140 hp✓ | 23 hp |
| Motor Torque | 1,210 Nm✓ | 205 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 122.49 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 600 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 11 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 1,500 kW | — |
| V2L | 4 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 2.7 seconds✓ | 7.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 240 km/h✓ | 221 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5,180 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,990 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,490 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,125 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 2,895 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | — | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 495 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R20 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 7 | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Y-spoke Alloys | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | DiSus-A Intelligent Dual Chamber Air Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 9 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags, Front Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for Rear Doors | Manual 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 two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Ventilation, Memory and Massaging | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating |
| Rear Seats | Powered Rear Seats with Extendable Leg Rests | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 Wireless Charger Front, 1 Wireless Chargers Rear, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights, Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 17.3" Touchscreen with Google Automotive Services Built-in, Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 20-speaker Devialet Sound System, 13.2" Front Passenger Touchscreen | 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 | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive 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, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes, e3 Parking | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | All Doors | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Front and Rear Fridges | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-years/160,000 km Drivetrain and High Voltage Battery Warranty | — |
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 Z9 GT & GLC for sale
Z9 GT vs GLC FAQ
Is the Denza Z9 GT or Mercedes-Benz GLC better?
The Denza Z9 GT is better for outright performance, EV driving and rear-seat equipment, with 1,140 hp and a 600 km claimed range. The Mercedes-Benz GLC is better if a 620-litre boot and a RM440 annual road tax matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Denza Z9 GT costs RM38,802 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Which has more luggage space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the larger boot at 620 litres, beating the Denza Z9 GT’s 495 litres by 125 litres.
