Mercedes-Benz GLC vs Volvo XC60: X254 against SPA
Updated Report an error By Felix Hartmann
Mercedes-Benz · 2022–present
GLC X254
- Power
- 284 kW386 PS
- Kerb mass
- 2,359 kg
Volvo · 2017–present
XC60 II
- Power
- 339 kW461 PS
- Kerb mass
- —
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: GLC X254 2 XC60 II 0
- Family GLC X254 Boot: 600 l vs 483 l
- City Too close to call Length: 4,716 mm vs 4,688 mm
- Off-road GLC X254 Drive and body: All-wheel drive · SUV vs All-wheel drive · SUV
Verdict Opinion
The GLC is the more modern and more practical choice. It has the 600-litre boot, a choice of three plug-in hybrids including a diesel plug-in, standard all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic in every version. Its 2022 Euro NCAP child occupant score was clearly the higher of the two.
The XC60 wins on peak power and safety assistance. The T8 Recharge has 339 kW, 55 kW more than the GLC 400 e, and the XC60's 2017 test scored 98% for adult occupants and 95% for safety assist.
— Felix Hartmann
The Volvo XC60 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC are two of the best-selling premium SUVs in Europe, and both now rely on electrified engines throughout. The second-generation XC60 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2017 on Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), shared with the XC90, S90 and V90. It was updated on 2 March 2021, when it gained Google-based infotainment, and again in August 2025. The second-generation GLC (X254) was presented in June 2022 and is built in Bremen, Sindelfingen and Beijing.
In short: the GLC is the newer design with the bigger boot and a wider choice of plug-in hybrids. The XC60 has the most powerful plug-in of the pair and is Volvo's best-selling car. Both are in our catalogue: Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60.
Mercedes-Benz GLC vs Volvo XC60: hybrids, space and safety
Plug-in hybrids
Mercedes offers three plug-in GLCs: the GLC 300 e with 230 kW (313 PS), the diesel-electric GLC 300 de with 245 kW (333 PS) and the GLC 400 e with 284 kW (386 PS). Volvo's T8 Recharge combines a 317 PS petrol engine with a 144 PS electric motor, 339 kW (461 PS) in total. In its Extended Range form, introduced for 2022, it covers 77 km on electricity alone.
Mild-hybrid petrol and diesel
Every non-plug-in GLC is a 48-volt mild hybrid with a 17.1 kW belt-driven starter-generator. The GLC 200 4MATIC has 150 kW (204 PS), the GLC 300 4MATIC 190 kW (258 PS) and the GLC 220 d 4MATIC 147 kW (200 PS). All GLCs have 4MATIC all-wheel drive and the nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic. Volvo's 2.0-litre petrol mild hybrid, introduced in 2020, produces 186 kW (250 hp) and 360 Nm after the 2025 update. The XC60 uses an eight-speed Aisin automatic. Earlier diesels included the D4 AWD and the D5 AWD with 480 Nm.
- GLC 200 4MATIC: 150 kW (204 PS)
- GLC 300 e: 230 kW (313 PS)
- GLC 400 e: 284 kW (386 PS)
- XC60 2.0 mild hybrid (2025): 186 kW, 360 Nm
- XC60 T8 Recharge: 339 kW (461 PS), 77 km electric
Boot and size
The X254 GLC is about 60 mm longer than its predecessor and has a 600-litre boot, 50 litres more than before. The XC60 is 1,902 mm wide, or 2,117 mm including mirrors. Our sources do not give its length or boot volume.
Electric versions
Both brands keep their electric mid-size SUVs separate. Mercedes unveiled the GLC with EQ Technology at the 2025 Munich Motor Show, initially as the GLC 400 4MATIC; Volvo's equivalent is the EX60, listed in our catalogue from 2026.
Euro NCAP
Both have five stars. The XC60 scored 98% for adult occupants, 85% for children, 76% for vulnerable road users and 95% for safety assist in 2017. The GLC scored 92%, 92%, 74% and 84% in 2022.
Sales
The XC60 is Volvo's best-selling car. Global retail sales of the second generation reached 184,966 in 2017 and 230,853 in 2024.
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| GLC X254 | XC60 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,716 mm185.7 in † | 4,688 mm184.6 in † −28 mm −1.1 in −0.6% |
| Width | 1,890 mm74.4 in † | 1,902 mm74.9 in +12 mm +0.5 in +0.6% |
| Height | 1,640 mm64.6 in † | 1,658 mm65.3 in † +18 mm +0.7 in +1.1% |
| Wheelbase | 2,888 mm113.7 in † | 2,865 mm112.8 in † −23 mm −0.9 in −0.8% |
| Boot | 600 l21.2 cu ft † | 483 l17.1 cu ft † −117 l −4.1 cu ft −19.5% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Tight | Too wide |
Difference vs GLC X254 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Mercedes-Benz GLC | Volvo XC60 | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | GLC X254 · 400 e 4MATIC · plug-in hybrid · 284 kW (386 PS) | XC60 II · T8 Recharge AWD (extended range) · plug-in hybrid · 339 kW (461 PS) |
| Production years | 2022–present | 2017–present |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | SUV / crossover | SUV / crossover |
| Country | Germany | Sweden |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 284 kW (386 PS) 381 hp | 339 kW (461 PS) 455 hp Better |
| Power, all versions | 120–375 kW (163–510 PS) 161–503 hp | 120–339 kW (163–461 PS) 161–455 hp |
| Power per tonne | 120 kW/t 146 hp/ton calculated | No data |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Plug-in hybrid | Plug-in hybrid |
| Engine | 1,999 cc · 4 cyl 2.0 l | 4 cyl |
| Drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,716 mm 185.7 in † | 4,688 mm 184.6 in † |
| Width | 1,890 mm 74.4 in † | 1,902 mm 74.9 in |
| Height | 1,640 mm 64.6 in † | 1,658 mm 65.3 in † |
| Wheelbase | 2,888 mm 113.7 in † | 2,865 mm 112.8 in † |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 2,359 kg 5,201 lb | No data |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 600 l 21.2 cu ft † Better | 483 l 17.1 cu ft † |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | No data | 71 l 18.8 gal US † |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| CO₂ | 27 g/km | No data |
| Electric | ||
| Battery Why it matters: A bigger battery usually gives more range, but takes longer to charge fully. | No data | 19 kWh |
| Electric range Why it matters: A longer range means fewer charging stops on long journeys. | No data | 77 km 48 mi |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2022) | ★★★★★ (2017) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (4): Body, Class, Fuel, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
† from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Volvo XC60 has more power: 339 kW (461 PS) against 284 kW (386 PS) for Mercedes-Benz GLC. Mercedes-Benz GLC is 28 mm longer than Volvo XC60 (4,716 mm vs 4,688 mm). Mercedes-Benz GLC has the bigger boot: 600 l against 483 l. Volvo XC60 is the older design (from 2008); Mercedes-Benz GLC arrived in 2015. On the catalog figures, the Mercedes-Benz GLC is the pick for family and off-road. Our catalog has no kerb mass for the Volvo XC60 yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC if you want the bigger boot, a diesel or petrol plug-in hybrid, or the newer platform with standard 4MATIC.
Choose the Volvo XC60 if you want the most powerful plug-in hybrid of the two, Google-based infotainment or the higher adult occupant score.
Both meet the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3 in our Audi Q5 vs Volvo XC60 and BMW X3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC comparisons.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the bigger boot, the GLC or the XC60?
The GLC's boot holds 600 litres, 50 litres more than its predecessor. The sources used here do not give a figure for the XC60.
Which plug-in hybrid is more powerful?
The XC60 T8 Recharge, with 339 kW (461 PS) from a 317 PS petrol engine and a 144 PS electric motor. The strongest regular plug-in GLC is the GLC 400 e with 284 kW (386 PS).
Is there a diesel plug-in hybrid?
Yes, in the GLC: the GLC 300 de 4MATIC with 245 kW (333 PS). Volvo offers no diesel plug-in XC60.
Are both five-star cars?
Yes. The XC60 received five stars from Euro NCAP in 2017 and the GLC in 2022.
Is there an electric GLC or XC60?
Not as versions of these cars. Mercedes showed a separate electric GLC with EQ Technology at the 2025 Munich Motor Show, and Volvo's electric mid-size SUV is the EX60.