2019 Ford Edge vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2019 Ford Edge received a facelift that included a new grille, headlights, and lower front fascia, giving it a sportier appearance. The rear also saw updates with new taillights and a larger black panel replacing the red connector between the taillights. Despite these exterior updates, the interior remained largely unchanged from previous models, feeling dated and heavily reliant on plastics. The cabin featured a new rotary shifter but still felt like a decade-old design. However, the Edge offered plenty of standard and available features across its SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, including options for leather upholstery, heated seats, and advanced sound systems.

In contrast, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a new front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, giving it a more aggressive look. The taillights also received updates, but the overall design remained somewhat uninspiring except for the AMG versions and the GLC Coupe. The interior, however, was a standout with high-quality materials, impeccable fit and finish, and a new 10.3-inch touchscreen. The GLC's cabin was luxurious, with features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a touchpad control system, making it one of the best interiors in its class.

The 2019 Ford Edge came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine was available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The ST trim featured a more powerful 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. The ST offered impressive acceleration and handling, especially in Sport Mode, while maintaining a smooth ride over rough roads. Fuel economy for the base engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, while the ST returned 19/26/21 mpg.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The GLC 300 was available with rear-wheel drive or Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive. The AMG GLC 43 came with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, offering exhilarating performance. The AMG GLC 63 and GLC 63 S featured even more powerful V8 engines. The GLC 300's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AMG models had lower ratings due to their higher performance.

The 2019 Ford Edge's cabin, though dated, was practical with deep storage bins, USB ports, and large door pockets. The front seats were comfortable, but the ST's bucket seats were not ideal for taller drivers. The rear seats offered ample head- and legroom, and the cargo space was generous with 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a mix of digital and physical controls, including a column shifter and door-mounted seat controls. The new MBUX infotainment system was intuitive, with a touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad controls. The GLC's interior was luxurious, but the rear seats had a complicated reclining mechanism. Cargo space was limited to 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with the seats folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2019 Ford Edge's base infotainment system was basic, with a 4.2-inch non-touchscreen and limited functionality. The available 8-inch Sync 3 system on higher trims was much better, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system included advanced features like augmented reality navigation and a cloud-based voice assistant. The system could track user behavior and suggest destinations or contacts. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB-C ports, with optional wireless charging. The GLC also offered an Off-Road Engineering Package for added versatility.

The 2019 Ford Edge came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full suite of airbags. Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims could be upgraded with Co-Pilot360 Assist+, adding adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and lane-centering.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. New for 2020 was Exit Warning Assist, which warned of approaching cyclists or cars. Other advanced safety features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming, offering cutting-edge safety technology.