A rear parcel shelf as a cross-member adds torsional rigidity and bending stiffness, but more importantly, the sealed-in rear windscreen and the sealed-in rear seat back rest adds further to sound insulation.

If you ever get the chance the sit in the back of a C Class sedan, then sit in the back of the GLC tall wagen - and a big garbage truck comes up from behind - you will notice a whole lot more noise coming through the rear of the GLC tall wagen as opposed to noise coming through the rear of the C Class sedan.

 

To those who say this is because of cost cutting, do you really think a couple plastic latches and hinges for the rear seats cost more than welding that blue piece of metal in?