2020 Volkswagen Tiguan 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 it hard to distinguish from previous models unless parked 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. The GLC Coupe’s fastback roof brought a touch of flair, but overall, the design didn't aim to be a standout in the neighborhood. 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, considered one of the best in the business. The all-black interior with stained gray ash wood was luxurious, featuring a continuous sweep of wood from the three circular 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 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the older 7- and 8.4-inch displays. The console now featured a thin touchpad, and the steering wheel had more buttons, including two thumb pads, and felt thicker and softer. A 12.3-inch display could replace the analog gauges and central display in the instrument cluster. The shiny buttons for various functions were replaced by a blank plate, simplifying the design.

Volkswagen completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, addressing its size and price issues. The 2020 model retained the stylish and conservatively German design, with clean and simple lines. The new flat logo adorned a horizontal grille that connected the headlights, giving it a contemporary Volkswagen look without any adventurous or cartoonish elements. The interior, however, was plain, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic, a far cry from Volkswagen's earlier reputation for superior interiors. The cockpit was simple, bordering on boring, with the focus on electronics. The optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system were highlights, offering a smartphone-like experience.

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. 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 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, offered phenomenal performance. The AMG GLC 63 4Matic Coupe and AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic Coupe, with their V8 engines, provided even more power, but the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing. The GLC 300's fuel economy was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AMG models had lower ratings.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The engine drove either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan's powertrain offered snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, but it was only moderately quick. The automatic transmission downshifted smoothly, but passing on the highway required patience. The Tiguan's engine was relatively quiet, and the cabin was well insulated from wind noise. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase making it less nimble. The suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable ride, but the steering was too light in normal mode.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 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 on the doors. The touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad became second nature with practice. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system offered several tiers of selectable items, with shortcut buttons for popular features. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat's reclining mechanism was perplexing. Cargo space was 19 cubic feet behind the seats and 57 with them folded, less than the BMW X3.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row useful. The third row had enough legroom for shorter adults and was cozy for kids. Front-drive Tiguans had the third row as standard, while AWD models had it as an option. The third row's low cushion position was a drawback, but it was roomier than many larger vehicles. The second row folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed, and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan felt as roomy as midsize SUVs, with plenty of hip and shoulder room in the front seats. The abundant glass and seating position made the Tiguan feel larger than it was.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system offered advanced features, including augmented reality for navigation, a cloud-based voice assistant, and AI-based tasks. The system could track behavior, suggest destinations, and show Yelp reviews. It also offered semi-autonomous driving features, though limited in functionality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package included hill-descent control, additional driving modes, and underbody shields.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan's infotainment system, MIB II, was set to be replaced by MIB3 in 2021. The current system was already one of the best, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with bright colors and graphics. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad. The Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, offered a customizable digital instrument panel. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot were standard.

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 sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars. Other features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package, adding forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. All models came with Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote locking, status checks, and vehicle location. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, while most models with halogen headlights received a poor rating.