2021 Cadillac XT6 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 designs 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 entertainment. 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. A 12.3-inch display could replace the analog gauges, and the shiny buttons for various functions were replaced by a blank plate.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 looked sophisticated, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. The XT6 Sport trim featured a traditionally-styled grille with darkened accents, 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and slim all-LED headlights, giving it a premium and distinctly Cadillac appearance. The XT6 was available in seven paint colors, with most requiring an additional surcharge. A sunroof was standard.

Inside, the XT6's interior was similar to the XT5 but slightly larger. It came in three color options: Jet Black, Cirrus, and Maple Sugar. The seats were a highlight, especially with the available Platinum Package, which added semi-aniline leather upholstery, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats. However, the dashboard area was less premium, with some cheaper-looking stitching and buttons. The steering wheel and console surfaces felt good to the touch, but the overall interior quality was not as high as some competitors.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by 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), was reprogrammed for better performance. The GLC 300 felt more responsive than previous models, but 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. The AMG GLC 63 4Matic Coupe and AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic Coupe, with their twin-turbo 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 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The XT6 Premium Luxury trim also featured this engine, while the base XT6 Luxury model had a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine provided smooth and powerful performance, but the XT6 Sport felt heavy and less dynamic due to its weight distribution. The XT6's fuel economy was on par with competitors, with the turbo-four engine achieving 21 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined with AWD. The V6 engine had similar figures, with slight variations depending on the drivetrain.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for new users. The column shifter and door-mounted seat controls were unconventional but practical. 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 19 cubic feet behind the seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered comfortable seats with optional heating in the first two rows. Seating for seven was standard, with an option for captain’s chairs in the second row. Adults could fit in the third row, but the XT6 had less space than some competitors. The interior storage was not ideal, with limited space for small items. The wireless phone charger was deep-pocketed, making it less accessible. The XT6 excelled in cargo space, with a standard power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats. The cargo load floor was high, but typical for the class.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system featured augmented reality for navigation, using a windshield-mounted camera to overlay directional arrows and street names. The cloud-based voice assistant could look up addresses and suggest destinations. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB-C ports, and optional wireless charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package added hill-descent control and underbody shields.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 had an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard features included a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. The infotainment screen was smaller than competitors and could appear crowded or lacking information.

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 Cadillac XT6 came with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Premium Luxury and Sport models added lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Assist Package included adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.