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VW Golf vs Mercedes GLC comparison

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

VW Golf vs Mercedes GLC: Key differences

VW Golf

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

Mercedes GLC

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

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

Golf

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 considerably 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 considerably 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 substantially more range – reaching up to 714 km, about 571 km more than the VW Golf.

GLC

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes GLC offers clearly 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 markedly 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 marginally 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 substantially more torque with 1,020 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 600 Nm more.

Golf

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf is substantially 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 a bit 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 holds a decisive overall lead 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
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

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.

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Reviews VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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.

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Reviews Mercedes GLC

4.4 (11 Reviews)
rate
Marek
2 Jan 2026, 18:32:30

There’s something about a Mercedes — you have to take it for a spin to feel it and understand why it’s special.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Commuter (short/medium distance)
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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VW Golf
Mercedes GLC

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

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

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

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, G, D, B, E, A
Brand
VW
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Is the VW Golf offered with different drivetrains?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

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.