2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, first introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second generation, arriving in 2015, received a styling update in 2019, which carried over to 2020. This update gave the Edge a fresh look with angular headlights and a large, trapezoidal grille. Inside, the layout remained largely unchanged since 2015, with some updates in 2019. The cabin quality was decent, featuring soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, though marred by the use of hard plastics. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features from basic amenities to advanced technology and premium materials.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC, on the other hand, embraced a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, giving it a dramatic stance reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. The GLC's cabin was a masterpiece of automotive design, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach. The interior featured a floating center touchscreen and high-quality materials, setting a benchmark for compact luxury SUV cabins. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover "coupe" body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sharper look. Standard features included synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided solid low-end acceleration, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, offering a smooth and refined ride. The performance-oriented Edge ST featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard all-wheel drive. The ST offered a more engaging driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering capabilities, enhanced by a Sport mode and an available ST Performance Brake Package.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided a responsive and balanced driving experience. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select with multiple drive modes, though the default Comfort mode was sufficient for most driving situations. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 offered a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC63 featured a twin-turbo V8, available in two power levels: 469 hp and 503 hp. These AMG models delivered sports car-like performance, with impressive acceleration and handling.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and ample storage compartments. The second-row seats provided generous head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano, though slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims included a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 19.4 cubic feet with the seats up. The GLC Coupe's cargo space was reduced to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC's interior featured a decently sized center console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders, making good use of its space. Rear-seat space was adequate in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom. Overall, the GLC SUV offered better practicality compared to the Coupe.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with easy-to-use icons and a helpful home button. SYNC 3 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, allowing users to utilize their preferred navigation apps. A voice-activated navigation system was optional on the SEL and ST trims and standard on the Titanium, offering real-time traffic updates through SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. The Edge also featured two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, a center console touch controller, and advanced voice control. The system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller options for navigating menus. The steering wheel included touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the main infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also included, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus. Overall, the MBUX system was highly advanced and user-friendly.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard on all trims, offering automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC also came with a robust set of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional standard features included front and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning. The parking and proximity sensors were noted to be overly sensitive, but they could be deactivated if desired.