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Mercedes GLC vs VW Golf comparison

Compare performance (680 HP vs 333 HP), boot space and price (50,300 £ vs 25,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLC or VW Golf?

Mercedes GLC vs VW Golf: Key differences

Mercedes GLC

4.4 (11 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially more power
  • significantly more electric range
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • visibly more trunk space

VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially cheaper
  • significantly more efficient
  • clearly lighter

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

GLC

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

VW Golf is substantially cheaper – starting at 25,200 £ , while the Mercedes GLC costs 50,300 £ . That’s a price difference of around 25,132 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf uses 1.1 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Mercedes GLC with 1.6 L/100km. The difference is about 0.5 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes GLC offers significantly more range – reaching up to 714 km, about 571 km more than the VW Golf.

Golf

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes GLC offers substantially more power – delivering 680 HP compared to 333 HP. That’s roughly 347 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes GLC is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the VW Golf takes 4.6 s. That’s about 1.1 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the Mercedes GLC is barely faster – reaching 275 km/h, while the VW Golf tops out at 270 km/h. The difference is around 5 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes GLC delivers clearly more torque with 1,020 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 600 Nm more.

GLC

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf is clearly lighter – 1,307 kg compared to 1,910 kg. The difference is around 603 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes GLC offers visibly more boot space – 620 L compared to 381 L. That’s a difference of about 239 L.

For maximum load capacity, the Mercedes GLC offers visibly more capacity – up to 1,740 L, about 503 L more than the VW Golf.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLC carries somewhat more – 600 kg compared to 508 kg. That’s a difference of about 92 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes GLC is decisively ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £50,300
GLC

Mercedes GLC

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV, Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 186 - 680 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.6 - 9.7 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 14.9 - 16.6 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 12 - 714 km
Mercedes GLC
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Mercedes GLC

The Mercedes GLC blends plush cabin comfort and composed road manners into an SUV that feels more grown-up than it looks. It won’t shout for attention, but will quietly please buyers who want refinement, usable space and a touch of luxury without the drama.

details

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

details
Mercedes GLC
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption

Price
50,300 - 126,600 £
Price
25,200 - 47,600 £
Consumption L/100km
1.6 - 9.7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
14.9 - 16.6 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
12 - 714 km
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
94 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
0 - 221 g/km
co2
25 - 184 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
62 - 65 L
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,910 - 2,535 kg
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Trunk capacity
390 - 620 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
4,716 - 4,845 mm
Length
4,282 - 4,296 mm
Width
1,890 - 1,913 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
1,603 - 1,644 mm
Height
1,454 - 1,483 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,490 - 1,740 L
Max trunk capacity
1,129 - 1,237 L
Payload
475 - 600 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Diesel MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
186 - 680 HP
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
210 - 275 km/h
Max Speed
203 - 270 km/h
Torque
320 - 1,020 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
137 - 500 kW
Power kW
85 - 245 kW
Engine capacity
1,991 - 2,989 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General

Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, G, D, B, E, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
VW
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.