2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a refreshed 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 from previous models subtle unless compared side-by-side. While the GLC wasn't unattractive, it lacked visual excitement from most angles, especially in the mass-market GLC 300 model. The AMG versions, with their wide tires, vertical-bar grille, and lower stance, added some visual drama, and the GLC Coupe’s fastback roof brought a touch of entertainment to the design. Despite its high price tag, the GLC's beige paint and 18-inch wheels made it blend into parking lots, lacking the standout appeal of competitors like the Volvo XC60 or Acura RDX.

What truly set the GLC apart was its interior, which was considered one of 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 on the seats and doors, and cold metal covers on the stereo speakers. The fit, finish, and overall quality were impeccable. The major change for 2020 was the introduction of a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous smaller displays. The new touchpad on the console, additional buttons on the steering wheel, and the optional 12.3-inch display for the instrument cluster enhanced the user experience, making the GLC's interior a highlight.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, boasted a commanding presence with modern exterior details. The 2018 refresh introduced features like welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, LED fog lights, headlight washers, adaptive front lighting, and LED taillights. The automatic on/off LED headlights with high beam assist and a range of comfort and convenience features, including body-color running boards, a power-sliding tinted moonroof, and rear privacy glass, added to its appeal. The QX80 was available in nine paint jobs and three interior color schemes, with the Limited-grade models featuring matte silver and open-pore Ash wood trim.

Inside, the QX80 offered plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, though the third row was tighter and best suited for small children or pets. The leather-appointed seats, available in perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, provided comfort, while the Alcantara seats with quilting, contrast piping, and stitching added a touch of luxury. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable with lumbar support, and the passenger’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated outboard second-row seats available. The QX80’s upscale cabin featured soft-touch materials, though the center stack’s piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints. Cargo space was generous, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was equipped 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, resulting in improved performance. The GLC 300 held gears longer and downshifted earlier, making it 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 models, with their twin-turbo V8 engines, delivered 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 detracting from the driving experience. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The QX80’s powertrain handled the SUV’s weight well, though the transmission was clunky when downshifting. Fuel efficiency was a significant drawback, with the RWD model achieving just 14 mpg city, 20 highway, and 16 combined, and the 4WD model slightly lower. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes, and its off-road capabilities were commendable. Two steering systems were available, with the Limited model featuring vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assist steering. The QX80’s light wheel feel made low-speed navigation easy, but high-speed steering required constant attention. The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and standard rear auto-leveling suspension contributed to a smooth ride and stable handling. The QX80 had a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC’s interior featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for new Mercedes drivers. The column shifter required an upward tap for Reverse and a downward tap for Drive, while the seat controls were located 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, though the back seat’s reclining mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space was 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush seating in the first two rows, with tighter third-row seating. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, with Alcantara seats as an option. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable, and the passenger’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable, both with lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated outboard second-row seats available. The QX80’s cabin featured soft-touch materials, though the center stack’s piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints. Cargo space was generous, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC’s MBUX system included advanced features like augmented reality for navigation, using a windshield-mounted camera to overlay directional arrows and street names on a live feed of the road. The system also used a cloud-based voice assistant for various tasks and could track user behavior to make suggestions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package added hill-descent control and additional driving modes for rough terrain.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 featured an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for simultaneous navigation and audio system display. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Optional upgrades included two 8.0-inch rear-seat displays, a WiFi hot spot, and a 17-speaker Bose stereo. SiriusXM services with a four-year trial period provided real-time traffic, weather, and fuel price information. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern in design.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, scoring top ratings in all crash tests and for its standard forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the GLC its highest 5-star rating in all crash tests. New for 2020 was Exit Warning Assist, which used blind-spot-monitoring radar sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars, warning occupants for up to 3 minutes after shutting down the car. Other features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, while lacking some of the latest driver-assist features, offered a good roster of standard and available safety technology. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist. The IIHS rated the QX80 "good" in moderate overlap front and side crash tests, while the NHTSA rated it better in side crashworthiness than front, with a moderate rollover risk.