2020 Mercedes GLC Spied Almost Undisguised, Could Downsize

Launched onto the European market back in 2015, the replacement for the GLC is facing more competition than ever, so a mid-life facelift comes just at the right time.

We believe the updated GLC will debut this year in Europe, but could take until the 2020 model year to hit U.S. dealerships.

The GLC is rapidly becoming one of the most popular Mercedes models in Europe, and the 111,193 units shipped last year are likely to be surpassed in 2018. But the company can't afford to lose to the new Volvo XC60, BMW X3 and the Infiniti QX50 in America.

Sharing its bones with the C-Class, the GLC is in line to receive the same new engines, some of which are smaller than before. The most obvious example of this is the 1,950cc that will be used by the GLC 220d, compared to 2,143cc in the current model.

Of course, the C-Class has even smaller engines than that, and the simple, single exhaust pipe underneath this test prototype could indicate that. We are talking about the 1.5-liter gasoline motor in the 198 HP C 200 or the twin-turbo 1.6-liter diesel in the 160 horsepower C 200 d. Wouldn't that be something? These kinds of configurations could lower the price of the model, giving more people access to the three-pointed star SUV.

Of course, other upgrades are happening as well. We can easily make out a new headlight design, refreshed bumpers and taillights. Inside, the GLC will have a new steering wheel and a better infotainment system. Even though a digital dashboard will be available, it still won't look like all the other Mercedes models that have panoramic screens.