Autoblog Compares the GLC 300 4MATIC® to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Intensa AWD
For generations, one’s upward mobility has often been tracked by the status of one’s car. As one moves up the ranks or their business flourishes, there are likely transitions from used to new, from smaller to larger, and eventually from mainstream to luxury. Things haven’t changed much, except that where this once may have been a succession of sedans, with the occasional coupe or convertible thrown in, today it is much more likely to be a succession of SUVs. And when you reach the luxury-brand level, or perhaps the next step after that, both the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio are waiting for you. With the help of Autoblog, Mercedes-Benz of Plano presents you with a comparison of the two.
Autoblog points out that in the specifications lists, these vehicles can appear very similar. Both are powered by 2.0-liter turbocharged engines: the GLC is paired with a 9-speed transmission, and the Stelvio is equipped with an 8-speed automatic. Their dimensions show only minor differences here and there, including cargo, whether the rear seatbacks are up or down.
The GLC 300 4MATIC® has a lower entry price under $52K, but to match the Stelvio’s standard equipment list, one adds the AMG® Line package, Entertainment and Convenience Package, Performance Package, heated rear seats, and a few aesthetic options. That brings the price to $64,525*, as Autoblog equipped it, which is very close to the $62,345 Stelvio Intensa AWD model. It gets closer when you factor in Alfa Romeo’s surprisingly high $3,250 destination charge, compared to just $1,150 for Mercedes-Benz, putting the prices within $100 of each other.
Autoblog found that, despite their similarities, these two vehicles attract the same customers in very different ways, reflecting the cultures of their home countries. The GLC is built with precision, aiming to excel at everything a luxury SUV is expected to deliver. The Stelvio centers on excitement, with the greater power of the two and distinct sports car tuning.
To this end, the Stelvio is more powerful, producing more horsepower (280 vs. 255) and more torque (306 lb-ft vs. 295). In turn, it is less efficient, with city/highway figures of 22/28 vs. 24/32 for the GLC. Should you wish to tow with these vehicles, the GLC provides an additional 500 pounds of capacity (3,500 vs. 3,000). Autoblog also notes that the Stelvio’s turbocharger’s greater boost is accompanied by more turbo lag than the GLC.
Inside, the Stelvio pulls its dash almost directly from the Giulia sedan, including its aluminum paddle shifters, a positive, and the smallish 8.8-inch screen, which could be a negative depending on how you feel about touchscreens. The seats are also clearly sports-sedan-derived, holding you secure in tight turns but less comfortable overall than the GLC. Autoblog states that the GLC “trades adrenaline for refinement,” offering a quieter, more comfortable ride and a more precise transmission. “It isn’t as playful when pushed, but it is impeccably composed, quiet, and comfortable.”
Autoblog reiterates in their summary: “The GLC is the Swiss-army knife: refined, versatile, comfortable, quietly confident, and beautifully assembled. The Stelvio is the performance tool: sharper, louder in character, more visceral, and deeply rewarding for the driver who wants involvement every time they hit a back road.” In short, the GLC is the better car, while the Stelvio is the better toy.
If you want a better car, visit Mercedes-Benz of Plano, where our large inventory carries a staggering number of GLC models for you to sample.
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