Taking its cue from the now defunct GLK-Class, the exterior itself is a lot softer and seems to appeal to a wider audience. The trademark Mercedes-Benz grille up front with the three-pointed star sitting proudly in the centre greets onlookers and tells the world you’re driving something a bit more special. This is flanked by a pair of upswept LED headlights that are complemented by a lower bumper that feature large air intakes. While these air inlets are more for aesthetics, they do help feed air to the brakes and engine.

Over to the side is the typical two-box SUV. Nothing too exciting yet nothing offensive either. The usual character line runs across the side to avoid making it look like a slab of metal. Same goes for the rear—clean and efficient with large taillights on the tailgate. All this is finished off by alloys on street tires, sized between 18s to larger 20s or 21s for those who want a bit of spruce in their ride.

While the exterior may be a no-nonsense yet luxurious rendition of a premium compact Sport Ute, the interior boasts a bit more panache, in typical Mercedes-Benz fashion. Soft touch and upscale materials on the seats and other surfaces are hallmarks of Mercedes-Benz quality. The infotainment system is packed with the latest in modern tech, most notably the touchpad that controls all the various functions manipulating entertainment, mobile device connectivity, and even different vehicle functions. It allows one to easily pair it with an Android or Apple device and perform different functions via Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto for hands-free and less distracted driving.

The five people on board will get in the mood with Ambient Lighting that allows one to choose between various colour options, like a kid choosing from a Crayola box. When you are in the mood to throw all your gear into the vehicle and go for a road trip, the GLC-Class can swallow a lot of bags or other items behind the second-row seats. Fold these 40/20/40 seats down and you’ve got more than 1,500+ litres of cargo volume.

In our market, the GLC-Class is powered by the tried-and-true 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that puts out 184hp and 300Nm of torque. If this motor seems familiar, it is the same mill that does duty in the C-Class, the E-Class, and other Merc offerings. And just like in most modern-day Chedengs, it is mated to a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic.

Such a combination is enough to provide adequate punch to get up to speed. Yes, this one is best left to reach autobahn speeds without breaking a sweat. There is a certain solidity to the chassis that isn’t easily unsettled even at breakneck speeds on the German superhighway.

But for those that do want to get a bit frisky, they can do so thanks to the Dynamic Select drive mode selector. The toggle switch allows drivers to choose between Eco, Comfort, Sport, or Sport+. One can tool around in a miserly fashion, have a comfortable and relaxed drive, get a bit of fun with tighter steering and a more responsive throttle, and be a hooligan behind the wheel—in a safe manner, of course, respectively.

While the GLC-Class is no rock crawler or sand dune player, it can tackle light trails and off-road jaunts en route to the farm or weekend hideaway. The ample ground clearance ensures that you won’t scratch your precious Merc SUV’s underbelly and different driver aids assure owners of traction even on slippery surfaces.

Speaking of driver aids, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is a chock-full safety kit. There’s the usual traction and stability control, adaptive brake lights that warn drivers of sudden stops, an Attention Assist that alerts the driver if the system detects that he or she is falling asleep at the wheel, and a plethora of airbags (including Window Bags to go with the usual dual front and side curtain bags). It’s all meant to keep occupants and pedestrians safe and to further reinforce the brand’s reputation for safety and crash protection.

For those wondering why the GLC was chosen as its moniker, it’s all in line with the German marque’s current naming system. The G alludes to the G-Wagen that is considered as the forebearer of all Mercedes-Benz SUVs. The L is a link to the last letter, which is essentially a reference to where the model belongs in the vehicle hierarchy. Just as the sedans go up the ladder from C, to E, and then to S, so do the SUVs. This means the GLC is the compact Merc ute, the C-Class of the SUV family.

All told, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is for those who can’t get enough of the SUV yet want a bit more premium luxury to go with it. And behind a C-Class equivalent, it will be right at home in the city yet still capable of getting a tad dirty when called upon to do so.