Mercedes-Benz’s GLC300 is a classy family car. But is it exciting?

What is it? The Mercedes-Benz GLC300 is the second-generation, slightly larger incarnation of the company’s popular medium-sized luxury SUV, first seen in 2015.

It’s evolutionary not revolutionary, and so far there’s just the one drivetrain in showrooms, although forthcoming AMG 43 and 63S variants can be pre-ordered, along with a price-leading 200. Alongside the wagon-style SUV is a so-called Coupé version, with a more curved roofline.

What does it cost? The GLC300 is $103,370, plus on-road costs, though our example had the $6900 Plus Package (including augmented reality navigation, and upgraded sound and lighting), raising the overall price to $110,270 plus on-road costs.

What makes it go? A 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, developing 190 kW and 400 Nm thanks partly to mild hybrid technology. That this comparatively small four-cylinder can push this tall, heavy, 4.72 metre long vehicle so effortlessly and with impressive economy (7.7 L/100 km on the combined cycle) tells you how far petrol engines have come. This “donk” is also a good match for the nine-speed auto and the standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

Why would you want it? It is a pleasant thing to drive, with exemplary levels of equipment (including the latest safety smarts) and an excellent standard of fit and finish. The dashboard, with its interestingly shaped wooden veneers and big central screen, looks and feels premium, and the tech seems to work beautifully (your smartphone can be your key, for example).

The huge, standard issue, double-pane glass roof makes the interior cheerful, and the beautifully shaped seats are comfortable over long distances. There’s lively performance and dependable handling, with the reassurance of all-wheel drive grip in poor weather. The gen two’s longer wheelbase improves the interior room and allows for a bigger boot. There’s lots of well-thought-out interior storage, too.

Why wouldn’t you? Is the GLC exciting? Not at all. It’s best thought of as a very classy family carter. Fortunately, in such a hotly contested market segment, there is plenty of choice (Audi, BMW, Lexus, Alfa Romeo, Genesis et al). Some buyers will want electricity instead.

To that end, Benz’s similarly sized EQC (now several years old and always a bit of a compromise) is just about sold out, and will be replaced with a “ground-up” EV design. It’s still some way away, and is likely to carry a big premium over the price of this internal combustion model.

And in conclusion This is a worthy update of a dependable Benz favourite. It should be around for quite a few years more, though sales will likely be increasingly cannibalised by battery models, including the next EQC.