Verdict
The RM26,000 step from the RM399,888 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 to the RM425,888 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 brings a 31.2-kWh plug-in-hybrid battery, 131 km EV range and 11-kW AC charging, while also cutting the 0-100 km/h time from 6.5 to 6.3 seconds. The C254 is 31 mm longer, has a 15 mm longer wheelbase and adds 45 litres of boot space. Its Digital Light headlamps, 11.9-inch MBUX screen, 15-speaker Burmester audio and adaptive cruise control make the newer car the stronger daily proposition. But the C253 is 160 kg lighter and retains heated, ventilated memory front seats plus auto parking.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 if you want the RM26,000 saving, a 1,785-kg kerb weight, heated and ventilated memory front seats, and auto parking.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 if you can charge at home or work and want 131 km of EV range, a 545-litre boot, newer cabin tech and a four-year warranty.
Key differences
- Price: C253 RM399,888; C254 RM425,888.
- Powertrain: C253 1,991 cc turbo petrol with 241 hp and 370 Nm; C254 1,999 cc plug-in hybrid with a 201-hp/320-Nm engine plus a 127-hp/440-Nm motor.
- Performance: C253 0-100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and 236 km/h; C254 6.3 seconds and 246 km/h.
- Electric driving: C253 has no motor or battery; C254 has one motor, a 31.2-kWh battery, 131 km EV range and 11-kW AC charging.
- Size and luggage: C253 is 4,732 mm long with a 2,873 mm wheelbase and 500-litre boot; C254 is 4,763 mm, 2,888 mm and 545 litres.
- Warranty: C253 gets two years manufacturer warranty plus two years extended coverage; C254 gets a four-year manufacturer warranty.
C253
- RM26,000 lower purchase price
- 160 kg lighter at 1,785 kg
- Heated, ventilated memory front seats and auto parking
- 500-litre boot trails the C254's 545 litres
- No plug-in-hybrid motor, 31.2-kWh battery or 131 km EV range
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years
C254
- 131 km EV range from a 31.2-kWh battery
- 11.9-inch MBUX screen, 15-speaker Burmester audio and adaptive cruise control
- 545-litre boot and four-year manufacturer warranty
- RM26,000 more expensive
- 160 kg heavier at 1,945 kg
- Front seats are not specified with the C253's memory, heating or ventilation; it also lacks auto parking
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM399,888✓ | 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 | 241 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 370 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 | 9.8 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 127 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31.2 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 131 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 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 | 6.5 seconds | 6.3 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 236 km/h | 246 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 169 g/km | — |
| 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" Alloy | 20" AMG Multi-spoke Light-alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" 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 | Audio 20, 7.0-inch display | 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 | 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
C253 vs C254 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C253 or Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 better?
The C254 is better for most buyers because it is quicker, roomier, has 131 km EV range, adaptive cruise control and a four-year warranty. Choose the C253 if heated and ventilated memory seats, auto parking and lower purchase cost matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 costs RM26,000 more than the C253. That gap buys plug-in-hybrid ability, a larger 545-litre boot, a 11.9-inch MBUX touchscreen, Burmester audio and adaptive cruise control.
Can the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe C254 be driven on electric power?
Yes. The C254 has one 127-hp, 440-Nm electric motor, a 31.2-kWh battery, 131 km stated EV range and 11-kW AC charging. The C253 is a petrol-only model with no electric motor or battery.