Denza B8 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

What's the difference?

The Denza B8 6S is a luxurious and well-equipped entry into the upper-large SUV segment, with space, comfort and technology that make it a serious contender. Even in six-seat form, it delivers strong family practicality and a level of kit that will appeal to buyers looking for something different in this space.

While the driving experience isn’t always fully convincing, particularly in terms of refinement and handling, its pricing and overall package do a lot of the heavy lifting.

On that basis, it’s a newcomer the established rivals will be wise to keep an eye on.

Like I said right from the start, this new, hybrid version of the AMG GLC63 is technically superior to the model it replaces in every meaningful way. It is faster, more powerful and more fuel efficient and therefore a better performance SUV than the model it replaces.

Is it a better model than the one it replaces? Ultimately that will come down to how much stock you put into the soundtrack and your feelings on an AMG not powered by a V8 engine.

Because if you can see past that, then the AMG GLC63 is an absolutely fantastic performance SUV. Not only does the new powertrain make it faster in a straight line, but the chassis is very well-balanced, making for an engaging driving experience.

For those who can look past the smaller engine they will be rewarded with an incredibly fast and rewarding-to-drive member of the AMG family.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

The B8 is a behemoth, with a strong on-road presence defined by its boxy, chunky styling, side steps, 20-inch Michelin tyres and rear-mounted spare wheel. It channels clear Defender-like cues without feeling like a Temu copy, and overall, it works.

Inside, the cabin leans heavily into a premium feel, with a standout dashboard design that incorporates practical handholds, storage and ambient lighting. The large central display takes centre stage, but it’s the physical gear 'switches' that give the cockpit an aviation-inspired feel.

The gear selector also adds a bit of theatre, tucking itself away into the console when the vehicle is switched off.

Nappa leather upholstery feels soft and high-quality, and the panoramic sunroof makes it feel airy and welcoming. Overall, there’s a strong emphasis on tactile surfaces, and most touchpoints feel appropriately premium.

The GLC63 is unmistakably an AMG from the moment you first lay eyes on it. That’s thanks to the AMG-specific elements, starting with the grille with vertical strikes and the AMG crest on the bonnet; which is now a signature item for the performance sub-brand.

The GLC63 is also fitted with the Night Package II design kit; this adds a darkened grille and black chrome badging to further enhance its visual appeal.

The AMG-specific alloy wheels and more aggressive stance do mean the GLC63 stands out from the rest of the GLC range, helping it look fast even when it’s standing still.

The front row is spacious, and the seats are downright comfortable on longer drives. With the added functions, it’s easy to feel fresh after a road trip, although the heated seat function runs quite hot even on its lowest setting, making it hard to use for extended periods.

Access to the front row feels more like a step up than a slide in, but it’s still relatively easy thanks to the grab handles and wide side steps. The internal push-button door release is less convincing, though, and can be awkward to locate and use, particularly in low light.

The media system is a highlight, with crisp graphics and a responsive touchscreen. It feels more intuitive than many systems from emerging Chinese brands and connects easily to wireless Apple CarPlay. While integrated climate controls aren’t usually my preference, the shortcut 'three-finger' gesture for temperature and fan speed helps offset some of that frustration.

Up front, storage is bountiful with a large glovebox, a sunglasses holder, a middle console that doubles as a fridge or hotbox, and a large centre console that houses dual wireless charging pads and a handy shelf underneath for smaller items, although this is where the USB-C ports and 12-volt socket are tucked away and they can be a bit fiddly to access.

The second row is just as comfortable as the front, with generous space and supportive seating. The extendable under-thigh support and adjustable armrests add to the comfort, while walk-through access to the third row is useful. That said, families may miss a middle seat, and there are only two top tether anchor points in the whole car.

Features in the second row are well-covered, including climate control, directional airvents and access to the centre console fridge via an electrically sliding drawer, which is ideal for drinks and snacks. The only real omission here is sunblinds but it's not a dealbreaker.

The third row is best suited to children, with limited legroom but still usable for short trips. It does, however, include USB-C ports and directional air vents.

Boot space is generous with up to 902L of capacity with the third row folded and up to 147L with all three rows in place. With the third row folded, it easily swallowed larger items such as a road bike (with the front wheel removed), along with school bags and luggage. The swing tailgate can be a little awkward in tight car parks as it opens towards the road, rather than the kerb, but the soft-close function is a nice bonus.

Inside the GLC63 is clearly a derivative of the rest of the range, with its C-Class-inspired design and layout, but there’s enough AMG-specific elements to ensure it looks and feels special. This starts with the AMG steering wheel, which comes not only with a thick rim wrapped in Alcantara, but also some AMG special dials to adjust the various performance settings for the powertrain, suspension and transmission.

Then there are the AMG-specific seats, which look good and offer good support for the driver and front seat passenger. The rear seats offer decent space for what is a mid-size SUV, with room enough for two adults or teenagers or three smaller kids.

Those in the back aren’t particularly well looked after though, with only rear air-con vents and small door pockets but no USB charging ports or other small item storage.

The boot is 590 litres, down from 620L in the rest of the range, thanks to the addition of the rear-mounted electric motor. There’s also no room for the temporary spare the rest of the GLC range gets and instead you have to make do with a puncture repair kit.

The power and torque figures aren’t the only numbers that have risen sharply, with the GLC63 clearly impacted by a double whammy of inflation and the usual new-car price rise.

The GLC63 now starts at more than $191,814 for the SUV and $198,415 for the Coupe, which represents a nearly $30k increase over the old V8-powered model, which was priced at $164,600 just two years ago. Even for luxury car buyers that’s a big jump, especially when you’re trying to convince people of the merits of the four-cylinder powertrain. 

That also means it's more expensive than all of its key competitors, including the BMW X3 M Competition, Maserati’s Grecale and the outgoing, petrol-powered Porsche Macan GTS.

To help explain some of this price increase Mercedes-Benz Australia has opted for a high level of standard specification for local cars. Standard equipment includes 21-inch alloys, AMG composite braking, a panoramic sliding sunroof, a unique AMG steering wheel, power-adjustable sports seats in Nappa leather, a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, wireless smartphone charging and a Burmester 3D Sound system.

Also included is the AMG Track Pace suite, for those who want to unleash their GLC on the racetrack.

There’s also a limited run, AMG Edition 1 Package available too, for an additional $12,900. On the outside you get Manufaktur graphite grey magno paint, foiling with colour gradation and large AMG logo on the sides, an AMG Aerodynamics Package, unique alloy wheels with Edition 1 and AMG branding, yellow brake calipers and an AMG fuel filler cap in silver chrome with AMG lettering. 

Inside there’s AMG Performance seats, AMG Nappa leather in black with yellow contrasting stitching, AMG illuminated door sills,  carbon-fibre AMG trim highlights, yellow seat belts and a unique AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in carbon-fibre and microfibre.

The B8 6S is a plug-in hybrid, four-wheel drive that pairs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors. Together, they produce up to 425kW and 760Nm.

That output supports a braked towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes, making it suitable for serious towing duties, if required.

While it doesn’t feature a traditional mechanical low-range transfer case (it has simulated low-range gearing), it does offer 16 drive and terrain modes, along with a claimed wading depth of up to 890mm for more demanding conditions.

The PHEV combo also gives it a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of just 4.8-seconds but in real-world conditions, initial acceleration off the line can feel a little underwhelming in everyday driving.

This is what lies at the heart of the AMG GLC63’s success or failure. As I mentioned at the beginning, the previous generation’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has been replaced by an F1-inspired plug-in hybrid powertrain.

But don’t think that means AMG is suddenly focused on efficiency over performance. When AMG says the powertrain is inspired by the brand’s success in Formula 1 racing, what it means is the battery and electric motor provides a significant performance boost to support the internal combustion engine, not just save fuel.

To that end the combination of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and the rear-mounted electric motor produces an impressive 500kW and 1020Nm. That’s a massive jump over the 375kW/700Nm made by the outgoing V8.

The B8 offers a claimed WLTP electric-only range of up to 100km, with an overall driving range of around 905km. If you keep the battery topped up regularly, it can significantly extend the time between fuel stops in everyday use.

My trip computer reading of 7.2L/100km reflects a week of more demanding driving, including highway and mountain roads. That puts it a fair way off the claimed combined consumption figure of 3.9L/100km, although not unexpectedly given the conditions.

Charging is handled via a Type 2 CCS port, allowing both AC and DC charging. It supports up to 120kW DC fast charging, which is uncommon for a plug-in hybrid and a welcome inclusion here.

While official charging times aren’t quoted, my testing saw a 20 to 100 per cent charge completed in around 38 minutes on a 150kW charger.

Mercedes makes no secret that the battery is designed for performance, not saving fuel. It only has a 14km EV range but can recharge quickly on the move to provide a power boost when needed.

But despite all that, the GLC63 is actually significantly more fuel efficient than the old V8, using a claimed 7.3L/100km, which is a massive 4.9L/100km improvement over the old model. Although, on our day-long test drive we didn’t manage to come close to that claimed figure and instead saw returns around 11L/100km, albeit after a lot of spirited open-road driving.

Despite its impressive claimed performance figures, the Denza B8 can feel like a heavy vehicle off the line, with its 3.3-tonne mass noticeable when accelerating into traffic or making quick directional changes.

Once underway, it settles into a more comfortable rhythm. There’s enough performance on tap for everyday driving and hill climbs, where it feels more responsive and capable of keeping pace with traffic. However, under heavier throttle, the power delivery can feel a little unsettled.

Handling is more of a mixed experience. The steering is lighter than expected, which can make the B8 feel slightly vague through turns and at lower speeds. There’s also a noticeable level of vibration through the steering wheel and body, which takes some shine off its premium aspirations.

The double-wishbone suspension does a good job of absorbing larger bumps, but in corners it can feel a touch floaty, with some body roll evident. Visibility is generally good through the front, although the A- and B-pillars are quite thick, with the B-pillar particularly intrusive on the driver’s side.

On the positive side, cabin refinement is strong. Road and wind noise are well contained, even at higher speeds, making it easy to hold conversations across all three rows and appreciate the sound system.

Practicality in tight spaces is another strength. The camera system activates automatically in confined conditions, which is especially useful in car parks and ramps. The 360-degree camera is also impressively clear on the large central display, and it has a sharp 12m turning circle, making the B8 easier to place than its size might suggest.

Anyone who still believes in the adage ‘there’s no replacement for displacement’ hasn’t driven a modern turbocharged and hybridised engine. The GLC63 is a demonstration of the metaphorical and literal power of modern technology, combining an extremely efficient and potent internal combustion engine with an electric motor to make enormous real-world performance.

To be blunt, the GLC63 feels like a rocketship out of corners, launching with a ferocity and relentlessness the old V8 simply can’t match. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, a mid-size SUV with 1020Nm was always going to have plenty of performance, but even so it’s a shock to the system every time you give the GLC63 full throttle. Officially AMG claims it takes just 3.5 seconds to run 0-100km/h and has an electronically limited top speed of 275km/h - mighty impressive figures for a five-seat mid-size SUV.

To help get all that torque to the road, AMG deploys torque distribution technology that allows for it to be split an even 50/50 front/rear all the way to 100 per cent to the rear tyres.

Other technologies deployed to enhance its handling include AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping and rear-axle steering. There’s also eight AMG Dynamic Select driving modes and four AMG Dynamics settings (Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master), so it’s a complex vehicle that is designed for the enthusiast.

While it’s easy to drive around town, once you get out on the open road you can really get a sense of the GLC63’s performance potential. Beyond just its powertrain the suspension offers good body control and the rear-axle steering helps it feel agile and responsive. 

It’s not perfect though. At times the complexity of the system does lead to some hesitation when you put your foot down. It certainly lacks the linear power delivery of the old V8 and makes for a slightly trickier driving experience at times.

As for the sound, which is one of the biggest elements missing from the V8, Mercedes has added AMG Real Performance Sound, which features a pressure sensor in the exhaust that picks up on the engine note and plays it through the speaker system. It certainly helps make for a louder, more noticeable engine noise, but it still sounds more like an A45 than the previous GLC63 and for many would-be buyers, that’s a major turn-off.

The GLC63 comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features including 'Distronic' (Mercedes’ name for adaptive cruise control), 'Active Lane Keeping Assist', 'Blind Spot Assist', 'Traffic Light Assist' and 'Adaptive Highbeam Assist'. It also includes Mercedes’ 'Pre-Safe' accident anticipation system - which pre-tensions the seat belts and will even play a white noise to protect your ears if it senses a crash is imminent.

A parking system that includes a 360-degree camera and active parking assist is also included.

The GLC range was awarded a five-star ANCAP rating in 2022, which pre-dates the latest testing protocols, so doesn’t provide a like-to-like comparison for vehicles tested after that date.

The B8 is covered by Denza’s six-year/150,000km warranty, which sits in line with expectations for the segment. A pre-purchased five-year servicing plan is available for $3745.50, which is reasonable given the vehicle’s positioning.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first. The B8 also supports BYD connected services via an app, including remote vehicle start.

Denza currently has a limited physical footprint, with seven service centres nationwide.

The GLC63 is covered by Mercedes Australia’s usual five-year/unlimited kilometres warranty.

As for maintenance, Mercedes offers service plans, spanning three to five years. Three years will cost you $5025, $6455 for four years and five years is priced from $7180. Servicing intervals are 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first.