2020 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2020 Jeep Renegade was easily recognizable with its signature Jeep round headlights, 7-slot grille, and trapezoidal wheel arches. It had a purposeful yet expressive design, available in primary trims like Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with special editions ranging from the affordable Jeepster to the pricey High Altitude. The base Renegade Sport started at $25,210, while our test car, the High Altitude, was loaded with extras, bringing the MSRP to $36,515. This version featured extra-cost paint, trendy dark gray 19-inch wheels, and a dual-pane panoramic glass roof, giving it a surprisingly grown-up look. However, despite the fancy details, the interior's hard plastic and all-black color scheme made it look inexpensive and unimaginative.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS, introduced in its third generation for the 2020 model year, carried over to 2021 with a more svelte design compared to its predecessors. 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. Available in GLS 450, GLS 580, and the performance-oriented AMG GLS 63, the GLS offered a range of standard features, including remote keyless entry, nine USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 13-speaker Burmester premium sound system. Our test model, the AMG GLS 63, stood out with aggressive bodywork, quad-outlet exhaust, and a chrome, slotted grille. Inside, it boasted a performance-inspired flat-bottomed sport steering wheel with a leather strip on an Alcantara wheel.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. We tested the turbocharged engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and the Active Drive AWD system. Despite the turbo's peak torque arriving at 1,750 rpm, turbo lag and a transmission calibrated for fuel economy resulted in a lack of responsiveness. The Renegade averaged 23.6 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 26 mpg, and had a small 12.7-gallon fuel tank. The driving dynamics were marred by a flinty ride, sloppy steering, and a loud cabin, making highway driving a chore. The Trailhawk trim, designed for off-roading, was the best version of the Renegade.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the GLS 580 had a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with 483 hp and 516 lb-ft. Both engines used a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes' 4MATIC AWD system. Our AMG GLS 63 test model had a hand-crafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, with a nine-speed AMG twin-clutch automatic transmission. The AMG GLS 63 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and had a top speed of 174 mph. It featured an adaptive air suspension system, multiple drive-mode settings, and E-Active Body Control, providing a composed ride and impressive cornering abilities.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade's interior felt larger than its competitors due to the distant windshield, thick pillars, and vertical side glass. The panoramic glass roof added to the spacious feel. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Rear seat space was cramped, and there were no air conditioning vents for rear occupants. Cargo volume was limited, with 18.5 cubic feet behind the back seat and 50.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered three rows of spacious seating, with ample headroom and legroom for first- and second-row occupants. Seven-passenger seating was standard, with optional second-row captains’ chairs reducing capacity to six. The third row was suitable for full-size adults, a rarity among three-row SUVs. The GLS had 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 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 driver and front passenger enjoyed numerous storage compartments, including spacious in-door bins and a combination cup-holder/wireless-charging pad.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade featured the Chrysler Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display. Despite showing its age, Uconnect remained user-friendly with volume and tuning knobs and logically arranged menu buttons. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The new Kenwood premium audio system provided good sound quality. The Renegade also offered a comprehensive driver information center and a parking assist system for parallel and perpendicular spaces.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a massive touch screen and a simple trackpad. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though a USB-C cable was required. The MBUX voice-control system responded to commands like "Find me a gas station" or "find me a seafood restaurant." The digital dash extended to the fully-digital instrument panel, both controlled by touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel. The right pad controlled the infotainment screen, while the left pad controlled the instrument panel, offering various display options.

The 2020 Jeep Renegade offered an Advanced Tech Group with adaptive cruise control, full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Safety and Security Group added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Renegade earned a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for rear-seat side-impact protection. The IIHS gave it commendable scores in most tests, but it did not retain its Top Safety Pick rating from 2019.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with Active Brake Assist, forward-collision avoidance, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. Other standard features included automatic parking assist, a surround-view camera system, a driver-drowsiness monitor, and crosswind assist. Available safety tech included lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control, and stop-and-go cruise control. The GLS also had a full array of front-and-side-impact airbags, traction control, self-tensioning seatbelts, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.