Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe at 5 stars (2022) and the Subaru Forester at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 92% for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe and 83% for the Subaru Forester, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe and 9 in the Subaru Forester.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe features a 11.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, power tailgate, Burmester audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Forester. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth.

Drivetrain

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe uses a Petrol producing 190kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7 seconds.

The Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe has the clear power advantage at 190kW vs 136kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

Boot space is 570L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe a 74L advantage.

For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Subaru Forester's turning circle is 1.1 m tighter, 10.8 m against 11.9 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe costs about $2,195 a year (7.7 L/100km) and fuel for the Subaru Forester about $2,252 a year (7.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $57 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Forester). Capped-price servicing: no data (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe), 5 years (Subaru Forester).

Where each one leads

The Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe: more power (190kW against 136kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (570L against 496L), the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 1,800kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,195 a year against $2,252).

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $111,400).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 72

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 1 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: value (Subaru Forester ahead by 22 points), performance (Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe ahead by 19 points), reliability (Subaru Forester ahead by 6 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe costs about $57 less (7.7 L/100km against 7.9 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 570L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, 496L in the Subaru Forester.

Common questions