Verdict
The C254 is the better new-generation choice for a Malaysian buyer with dependable charging: its 31.2 kWh battery, 131 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging materially improve the plug-in-hybrid brief over the C253’s 13.5 kWh, 43 km and 7.4 kW. It also carries 45 litres more luggage and a larger 11.9-inch MBUX screen with 15-speaker Burmester audio. But the outgoing C253 remains 160 kg lighter and reaches 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, 0.6 seconds ahead of the newer car.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 Facelift if you want the quicker 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time, a 1,785 kg kerb weight and heated, ventilated memory front seats.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 if you can charge regularly and want 131 km of EV range, a 545-litre boot and newer cabin technology.
Key differences
- Price: C253 Facelift RM403,888; C254 RM425,888.
- Battery and EV range: C253 Facelift 13.5 kWh and 43 km; C254 31.2 kWh and 131 km.
- AC charging: C253 Facelift 7.4 kW; C254 11 kW.
- Performance: C253 Facelift 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and 230 km/h; C254 6.3 seconds and 246 km/h.
- Weight and boot: C253 Facelift 1,785 kg and 500 litres; C254 1,945 kg and 545 litres.
- Infotainment: C253 Facelift 10.25-inch MBUX touchscreen; C254 11.9-inch MBUX touchscreen with 15-speaker Burmester audio.
C253 Facelift
- 0-100 km/h is 0.6 seconds quicker
- 160 kg lighter
- Heated, ventilated memory front seats
- 43 km EV range versus 131 km
- 7.4 kW AC charging versus 11 kW
- 500-litre boot is 45 litres smaller
C254
- 31.2 kWh battery and 131 km EV range
- 11.9-inch MBUX and 15-speaker Burmester audio
- 545-litre boot and adaptive cruise control
- RM22,000 more expensive
- 0-100 km/h takes 6.3 seconds versus 5.7 seconds
- 160 kg heavier
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM403,888✓ | RM425,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| 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, Plug-in Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 208 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,200 rpm✓ | 320 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 92 mm | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 120 hp | 127 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 400 Nm | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 13.5 kWh | 31.2 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 43 km | 131 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7.4 kW | 11 kW✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Mercedes-Benz |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 230 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,732 mm | 4,763 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,602 mm | 1,699 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,873 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 1,785 kg | 1,945 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres | 545 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 285/40R20 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Latitude Sport 3 Run Flats | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Germany (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloy | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" AMG Five-twin-spoke Alloy | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Sport Suspension (15 mm lower) | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Based on the Mercedes-Benz GLC | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 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 | 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 for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Collision Prevention Assist Plus | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam (Digital Light with Projection Function) |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated, Ventilated | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats |
| 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 |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Yes |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 colours) | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | Manual Rear Door 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 with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 15-speaker Burmester Sound System |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot, contactless opening | Powered Boot with Hands-free Access |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | 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
C253 Facelift vs C254 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 Facelift or Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 better?
The C254 is better if you will charge it, because its 131 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging are major gains. The C253 Facelift is the better pick for outright acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 Facelift costs RM403,888 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 costs RM425,888. The C254 costs RM22,000 more.
Which GLC Coupe has the more useful plug-in-hybrid system?
The C254 does. Its 31.2 kWh battery delivers 131 km of EV range and accepts 11 kW AC charging, against the C253 Facelift’s 13.5 kWh, 43 km and 7.4 kW.
