Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 asks RM41,000 more, but it brings 201 hp, 320 Nm and all-wheel drive against the X253’s 184 hp, 300 Nm and rear-wheel drive. That cuts the 0-100 km/h time from 8.7 to 7.8 seconds. It is also 60 mm longer and carries 620 litres of luggage versus 550 litres. For a Malaysian buyer, the X253’s RM288,888 price and 66-litre tank remain persuasive, but the newer car’s 11.9-inch MBUX screen, 360-degree camera and extra driver assistance make the spend easier to justify.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 if RM41,000 saved, a 66-litre fuel tank and LED projector headlamps matter more than all-wheel drive and newer cabin tech.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 if you want the quicker 7.8-second performance, all-wheel drive, 620-litre boot and 11.9-inch MBUX system.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 RM288,888; Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 RM329,888.
- Performance: X253 has 184 hp, 300 Nm and does 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds; X254 has 201 hp, 320 Nm and does it in 7.8 seconds.
- Driveline: X253 is rear-wheel drive; X254 is all-wheel drive.
- Dimensions and boot: X253 is 4,656 mm long with a 550-litre boot; X254 is 4,716 mm long with a 620-litre boot.
- Wheels and tyres: X253 uses 19-inch wheels with 235/55R19 tyres front and rear; X254 uses 20-inch wheels with 255/45R20 front and 285/40R20 rear tyres.
- Cabin tech: X253 has a 7.0-inch Audio 20 display; X254 gets an 11.9-inch MBUX touchscreen with voice control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and eight speakers.
X253
- RM41,000 lower purchase price
- Larger 66-litre fuel tank
- LED projector headlamps and automatic rear climate control
- Slower 8.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus 7.8 seconds
- Rear-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive
- No blind spot system, steering correction lane-keeping or 360-degree camera
X254
- 201 hp, 320 Nm mild-hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive
- 620-litre boot and 60 mm longer body
- 11.9-inch MBUX, 360-degree camera, blind spot system and heated memory front seats
- RM41,000 higher price
- Smaller 62-litre fuel tank versus 66 litres
- LED reflector headlamps rather than the X253’s LED projector units
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM288,888✓ | RM329,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| 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, Mild Hybrid Assist |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 5,500 rpm | 201 hp at 5,800 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 300 Nm at 1,200 rpm | 320 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 83 mm × 92 mm | 83 mm × 92.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 10 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 23 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 205 Nm✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 9G-TRONIC | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 9 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | — |
| Driveline | Rear Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.7 seconds | 7.8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 210 km/h | 221 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | 135 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,656 mm | 4,716 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,639 mm | 1,640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,873 mm | 2,888 mm |
| Weight | 1,705 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 66 litres | 62 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 550 litres | 620 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 255/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 285/40R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli Scorpion Verde | Continental EcoContact 6 Q |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 20" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Agility Control suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| 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 on outer two rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Collision Prevention Assist Plus | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory & Heating |
| 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 |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (3 colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Manual rear door window shades | Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | Audio 20, 7.0-inch display | 11.9" Touchscreen Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 8 Speakers |
| 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 | Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360-degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | 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
X253 vs X254 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 or Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 is the more capable specification: 201 hp, 320 Nm, all-wheel drive, a 7.8-second 0-100 km/h time and a 620-litre boot. The X253 is the better choice if its RM41,000 lower price is decisive.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 costs RM329,888, which is RM41,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLC X253 at RM288,888.
Which GLC has more luggage space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 has the larger boot at 620 litres, a 70-litre gain over the Mercedes-Benz GLC X253’s 550 litres. It is also 60 mm longer, at 4,716 mm versus 4,656 mm.
