2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, had a familiar and fun design. Honda's designers opted for soft, curvy lines that gave the CR-V a car-like appearance, resembling Honda's sedan lineup. The exterior leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, making it a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were upgrades of a commodity car.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS, introduced in its third generation for the 2020 model year, carried a more sophisticated and futuristic design. The GLS had softened angles and lines, making it appear more svelte than its predecessors. Inside, the GLS featured a beamy, futuristic cabin with a massive digital screen spanning nearly two-thirds of the dash area, emphasizing its tech-reliant controls. The GLS was available in three levels: GLS 450, GLS 580, and the high-performance AMG GLS 63, each offering a range of luxurious and high-tech features.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by replacing the previous base engine with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), provided a well-matched powertrain. Despite some CVTs' reputation for sluggish response, Honda's engineers managed to make the CR-V's CVT feel quick, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, offering nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable ride. With a curb weight of just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, the CR-V boasted excellent fuel economy, with FWD models rated at 30 mpg combined and AWD models at 29 mpg.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a range of powerful engines. The entry-level GLS 450 featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLS 580 upgraded to a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, delivering 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The AMG GLS 63, with a hand-crafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, produced an impressive 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The GLS 63 also featured an adaptive air suspension system, multiple drive-mode settings, and a hushed, composed ride, making it a standout in performance and handling.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and clever storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The CR-V's seating position and low cowl provided excellent front visibility. The cargo compartment offered 75.8 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded, matching the Volkswagen Tiguan despite being three inches shorter. The CR-V also featured a deep center console bin, a two-position load floor, and spacious door pockets, making it easy to live with and great at swallowing all your stuff.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered three rows of spacious seating, with plenty of headroom and legroom for first- and second-row occupants. The third row, while not as spacious, was still suitable for full-size adults. The GLS provided 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The GLS also featured power-folding third-row seats, spacious in-door bins, and a combination cup-holder/wireless-charging pad, making it a practical and luxurious choice for families.

The 2020 Honda CR-V showed its age in terms of infotainment. The base LX trim came with a 5-inch screen, offering limited features like Bluetooth connectivity and Pandora compatibility. Higher trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen, which still felt small compared to competitors. The CR-V's infotainment system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. However, the EX trim and above included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with multiple USB ports and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with the new MBUX infotainment system, featuring a massive touch screen and a simple trackpad. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it required a USB-C cable. The MBUX system also featured a voice-control system, activated by saying "Hey Mercedes," and a fully-digital instrument panel controlled by touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel. The GLS's infotainment system was user-friendly and packed with advanced features, making it a standout in technology.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" system, including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with the Touring trim's LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including Active Brake Assist, forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. Additional safety tech included lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a following-distance indicator. The GLS also featured a full array of airbags, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system, ensuring a high level of safety for all occupants.