Hyundai Venue vs Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
What's the difference?

Hyundai Venue

$18,690 - $26,990

2023 price

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Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

$66,800 - $183,541

2025 price

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Summary

2023 Hyundai Venue

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

By Emily Agar

By Stephen Ottley

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 1.6L

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.2L/100km (combined)

7.3L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Can park it anywhere
Cute road-side presence
No-fuss tech

More power and torque
More fuel efficient
Stylish cabin

Dislikes

Missing a few items for a top model
Gutless performance
Back seat only useful for storage

Misses V8 soundtrack
Big price rise over previous model
Smaller boot, no spare tyre

2023 Hyundai Venue Summary

This is the baby SUV for Hyundai’s line-up but it does tend to remind you of this a little too often for this to truly be fun.

Still, it presents an interesting road-side presence and a comfortable urban driving experience.

Coupled with the competitive price tag, is this the little SUV that could? I’ve been driving it for the last week to find that out for you.

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2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Summary

Let’s make one thing clear from the very beginning - this new Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S E Performance is technically superior to the model it replaces. Whether it’s actually better or not, is the real question at the heart of the matter.

Why? Because, like the C63 sedan stablemate, AMG has opted to replace the previous model’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. It was a move brought about in part because of increasingly stricter emissions standards in Europe, but also ties-in with the German firm’s success in modern Formula One racing.

While the new hybrid system offers more power, more torque and better fuel economy, as the lukewarm response to the C63 has demonstrated, the hard reality for AMG is that its buyers associate it with V8 and even V12 engines. That emotional pull is hard to replace with logic, even if the new model offers technical superiority.

But how does the new powertrain suit the GLC63 - is it just technically better or is it holistically improved?

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Hyundai Venue 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Verdict

The Hyundai Venue Elite is a sweet-looking, compact SUV that should suit drivers who only need an A-to-B sort of car in the city. Or an empty nester who doesn’t want to feel flustered by any high-end tech and wants knobs and dials where they expect them to be.

Some elements of the safety set could be better though and that’s something to consider. However, for an urban landscape, you can practically fit it anywhere. With its engine specs, it's also happiest in the city - don't consider this a road trip car.

Verdict

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.

Hyundai Venue vs Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Hyundai Venue vs Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
What's the difference?