2021 Audi Q5 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 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 hefty price tag of over $60,000.

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. A 12.3-inch display could replace the analog gauges, and the previously aligned shiny buttons were replaced by a blank plate.

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character. It had an expressive face with LED headlights and a big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear had bold, large taillights. The plug-in Q5 wore S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, giving it an even better appearance. Overall, the Q5 had a classy, modern look with exceptional fit and finish.

Inside, the Q5 was equally classy and modern, packed with technology while maintaining an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped and segregated by function, with a pleasing unity of design. The materials were authentic, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen floated at the top of the center stack, perfectly positioned in the driver’s line of sight. The second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

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 routed power to either rear-wheel drive or Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive, with the GLC 300 Coupe coming standard with 4Matic. The reprogrammed transmission, combined with the new engine, made the GLC 300 feel more responsive, holding gears longer and downshifting earlier. 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 producing 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, offered phenomenal performance, while the AMG GLC 63 models with their V8 engines provided even more power. Despite these high-performance options, the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing, with body roll, vague steering, and sloppy suspension control. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took the already fun-to-drive Q5 and made it better with an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque from a 14.1-kWh battery. The total combined output was 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, providing convincing acceleration (0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, the Q5 PHEV was rated at 27 mpg combined. The battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and offered various driving modes, including battery-only and hybrid modes. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel, minimal body roll, and powerful, predictable braking.

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 second nature with practice. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat's reclining mechanism was perplexing and uncomfortable. Cargo space was 19 cubic feet behind the seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided reasonable legroom (37.8 inches), headroom (37.7 inches), and shoulder room (56.5 inches), accommodating two adults comfortably and a third for shorter rides. The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row also featured cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin in the center-console armrest.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system included features like 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 for short periods. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package included hill-descent control and additional driving modes for rocky or snowy roads.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster, offering three customizable views. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured Exit Warning Assist, Pre-Safe Sound, and Predictive Brake Priming, among other advanced safety features.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 received top ratings in all categories except headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system.