2020 Cadillac XT4 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a new front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, echoing the aggressive design cues of the A-Class and CLS-Class. The taillights had square LEDs within the same housing, making the differences subtle unless compared side-by-side with older models. While the GLC wasn't unattractive, it lacked visual excitement from most angles, especially in the mass-market GLC 300 variant. The AMG versions, with their wide tires and vertical-bar grille, added some visual drama, and the GLC Coupe’s fastback roof brought a touch of flair. However, the beige paint and 18-inch wheels of the test car made it blend into parking lots, despite its over $60,000 price tag.

What truly set the GLC apart was its interior, which was among the best in the business. The all-black interior with stained gray ash wood was rich and luxurious, featuring a continuous sweep of wood from the air vents, padded and stitched leather seats and doors, and cold metal speaker covers. The fit, finish, and overall quality were impeccable. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous smaller displays, and a new touchpad on the console. The steering wheel, identical to the one in the E-Class, had more buttons and felt thicker and softer. The optional 12.3-inch display could replace the analog gauges, adding to the high-tech feel.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 employed a “Y” trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle had Premium Luxury trim, front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4's crisp, tailored styling and proper proportions, aside from a front overhang, made it one of the most visually appealing Cadillac crossovers.

Inside, the XT4's cabin was pleasant, with competitive-quality materials, though some areas, like the plain black trim around the power window controls, felt out of place. The interior featured soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. The rear passenger compartment was roomy, with heated back seats and rear air conditioning vents, though the rear seat cushion lacked support. The excellent air conditioning system quickly cooled the interior during a Southern California heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space, including umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger. However, the cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The 9-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), featured major reprogramming, making the GLC 300 feel more responsive than previous models. However, the engine still fell short compared to competitors like the BMW X3. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, offered phenomenal performance, while the AMG GLC 63 and 63 S models, with their twin-turbo V8 engines, provided even more power. Despite the impressive performance of the AMG models, the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing, with body roll, vague steering, and sloppy suspension control. The GLC 300 4Matic had an EPA rating of 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AMG models had lower fuel economy.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the FWD model achieving an EPA rating of 26 mpg. The test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's fat band of torque provided lively driving character, but the FWD model experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission offered smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem that persisted, though less frequently, in Sport mode. Paddle shifters were available but offered little perceptible change. The XT4's interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with both large and small bumps. However, the oversized tires provided impressive grip, and the brakes worked well, making the XT4 fun to drive on smooth pavement.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with modern Mercedes vehicles. The column shifter required an upward tap for Reverse and a downward tap for Drive, while the seat controls were on the doors. The MBUX system, with its touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad, became intuitive with practice. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat's reclining mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space was limited, with 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's interior offered comfort for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear passenger compartment was roomy, with heated back seats and rear air conditioning vents, though the seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the interior. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space, including umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger. However, the cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system featured augmented reality for navigation, using a windshield-mounted camera to show a live feed of the road with directional overlays. The system also used a cloud-based voice assistant for various tasks and could track user behavior. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with USB-C ports, while wireless device charging was optional. The Off-Road Engineering Package added hill-descent control, additional driving modes, and underbody shields.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's latest CUE system was much improved, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, with intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen needed to be larger, and the climate system should be integrated with the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. The test car lacked some features like a head-up display and a rear camera mirror.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named 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 used blind-spot-monitoring radar sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars. Other features included Pre-Safe Sound, which played "pink noise" to protect eardrums in a crash, and Predictive Brake Priming, which moved the brake pads closer to the discs in anticipation of hard braking.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system to its standard equipment. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. The Driver Assist Package offered adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking. The XT4 received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.