1. It has a great deal of presence for a sub-RM500k vehicle

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia was only able to price it at RM498,273 after SST exemptions thanks to its local assembly operations in Pekan, Pahang. CKD pricing grants the mid-spec AMG access to the entry-level Porsche Macan’s marketplace, giving Stuttgart’s other manufacturer the headache of having to compete with the GLC43’s unique coupe styling, blacked-out bits courtesy of the ‘Night Package’, aggressive Panamericana grille and imposing 21-inch footwear; all of which wouldn’t look completely out of place in the presence of bigger, brawnier and considerably pricier SUV-coupe crossbreeds like the BMW X6M and Porsche Cayenne Coupe. 

2. It helps that its twin-turbo V6 is actually pretty loud…

Adding to the presence is the soundtrack of the three-litre twin-turbo V6 powering the GLC43 Coupe; one befitting a full-fledged AMG product. It may not be handcrafted in Affalterbach, but the Mercedes engine belts out a deep, angry rumble during cold starts, with a constant mechanical gurgle at idle to assure bystanders that they won’t find a typical four-pot mill under the hood. You won’t be able to quietly sneak out of the house without the knowledge of your family or nosy neighbours in this thing, but you don’t buy an AMG if you’re not after that attention, do you? 

3. …but the exhaust tips are fake

The GLC43 Coupe gets a proper AMG exhaust system – with a dedicated button to open up the valves – and a set of quad tailpipes to match, but the two aren’t exactly welded together. And we know some purists are extremely particular about these things. It still sounds like a brute, though. 

4. Luckily, there’s quite a big bite to match that bark 

On top of a tidy facelift that brings sleeker LED lighting to the table, the 2020 model update also bumps the GLC43’s output by 23hp up to 390hp, with maximum torque rated at a heady 520Nm from 2,500 to 5,000rpm. Merc credits software adjustments and larger turbos for the improved output, which is capable of launching the big ‘coupe’ to 100kph from a standstill in just 4.9 seconds with vmax limited to 250kph. It’s a shame we weren’t able to let this potential loose on the open road, but 10km is more than enough for us to verify that the GLC43 Coupe is, indeed, a mighty fast luxury crossover.

5. It’s pretty well sorted in the ride and handling department too

Despite sitting on massive 21-inch wheels wrapped in low-profile Continental rubbers, the ride in the GLC43 is surprisingly pliant, such is the effectiveness of its self-adjusting AMG Ride Control+ air suspension. There’s a bit of lean in its default ride height through swift corners, but grip levels are as good as they get for a performance daily as long as you don’t overcook your entries. It is equipped with AMG’s ‘Performance 4Matic’ four-wheel drive system after all, though the 31:69 torque split remains biased to the rear for good measure/fun. 

6. It’s almost as practical as a regular GLC SUV

Stick the Dynamic Select trigger in ‘Comfort’ and the GLC43 Coupe is as easy to go about your daily grind in as a GLC250, if you can cast aside the AMG’s distinct (read: loud) vocals that is. The slick-shifting nine-speed automatic keeps things nice and smooth behind the wheel. And although sloping roof lines often look sportier at the expense of functionality, the trade-off in the GLC Coupe isn’t too terrible. There’s still a decent amount of headroom for passengers below six feet while the boot’s vast footprint remains intact; it’s not like you’re supposed to stack your cargo past the base of the rear windscreen anyway.  

7. Visibility isn’t an issue at all…

Speaking of which, we don’t have any complaints about visibility from inside the cabin. Sure, the windows are narrower in the rear if compared to a standard GLC (it’s a shame they aren’t frameless), but the driving position is comfortable and assuring overall. Parking in tight spots and traversing narrow alleyways can be unnerving for inexperienced drivers as it’s still a relatively big SUV, but the crisp, high-resolution feed of the 360-degree cameras help cut the stress and doubt by half, if not more.