Mercedes GLC hybrid (2020-2022) interior, dashboard & comfort

When the GLC was updated in 2020, not only did it add plug-in hybrid power to the mid-size SUV line-up, it also included some upgrades to the on-board tech. The result was an interior that feels every bit as modern and luxurious as its main rivals.

The interior is as high-quality as anything this side of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, with Artico man-made leather on the seats and all but the entry-level version getting a glorious 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and large central screen. Though the new second-generation GLC takes things up another notch when it comes to the cabin.

Mercedes GLC hybrid dashboard

The Mercedes GLC's cabin design mixes modern and traditional elements. There are available wood trims that look classy and old-school, but you also have a very modern infotainment system in the centre of the dashboard and behind the wheel instead of regular dials.

Material quality is as good as you’ll find in BMW and Volvo rivals, and build quality is also as good as you'd expect of a car at this kind of price. It all feels very upmarket and luxurious.

Equipment, options & accessories

AMG Line examples come with 19-inch alloys, LED lights, parking sensors, a reversing camera, a 10.25-inch screen in the cabin and traditional dials with a small screen in between them. These cars also get heated seats, sat nav, DAB and climate control as standard.

AMG Line Premium gets 20-inch alloys, fully digital instruments, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity and augmented-reality sat nav (which superimposes direction arrows on pictures relayed from a front-facing camera). AMG Line Premium Plus adds 20-inch alloys of a different style, plus a panoramic sunroof.

Infotainment, apps & sat nav

The central 10.25-inch infotainment screen works well, and can be controlled using a dial on the console. It’s easy to use once you’re used to where all the options are, and it loads up quickly enough. The system in Volvos looks more modern, and BMW’s setup is easier to use, but the Mercedes’ system is good enough.

As mentioned above, AMG Line Premium cars and up come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus a suite of online and app-connected services. They also get a 12.3-inch digital dial display that can show things like sat-nav instructions right in your eyeline. It’s a great-looking set-up and adds to the high-tech feel.