2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC presented a familiar yet slightly updated aesthetic, with a new front fascia featuring a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights. These changes aligned it with the aggressive styling of the A-Class and CLS-Class. The taillights maintained a square LED design, but the overall look of the GLC remained somewhat understated, especially in the mass-market GLC 300 model. While the AMG versions added some visual flair with wide tires and a vertical-bar grille, the GLC Coupe's fastback roof offered a touch of excitement. Despite its high price tag, the GLC's interior was a standout, boasting impeccable fit and finish, with luxurious materials like stained gray ash wood and leather. The 2020 model introduced a 10.3-inch touchscreen and a refined steering wheel, enhancing the driving experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse relied on styling details to differentiate its trim levels, offering a generic SUV design with a tall roof and chunky wheel arches. While it lacked the personality of some competitors, it provided a clean and handsome appearance. The Traverse's restrained styling allowed for cosmetic variations across trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome accents on the High Country. The interior mirrored this simplicity, with an optional Dual SkyScape sunroof and materials that were decent but not exceptional for its price. The Traverse's focus was on practicality, offering seating for seven or eight and a significant advantage in cargo space, with up to 98.2 cubic feet available.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, it offered improved performance over previous models, holding gears longer and downshifting earlier. However, it fell short in terms of sound quality and response compared to competitors like the BMW X3. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivered 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, providing exhilarating performance. The AMG GLC 63 models offered even more power with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Despite these options, the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing, with body roll and vague steering detracting from the driving experience. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. While it didn't feel particularly powerful off the line, it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic transmission performed well, though occasional rough shifts were noted. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. However, its handling on twistier roads was less impressive, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation. The Traverse offered off-road and tow/haul drive modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for those new to modern Mercedes vehicles. The column shifter and door-mounted seat controls were unconventional but practical. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system offered a user-friendly interface with customizable features. The GLC provided enough room for four adults, though the back seat's reclining mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space was limited, with 19 cubic feet behind the seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, providing 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was available, with gesture-activated options on higher trims. Despite its size, the Traverse lacked interior storage options, a common trait among midsize three-row crossovers.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system offered advanced features, including augmented reality navigation and a cloud-based voice assistant. While some features were ahead of their time, they were not fully integrated. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional wireless charging. An Off-Road Engineering Package was available for those seeking additional driving modes and underbody protection.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch screen and additional features available on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with analog controls for audio and climate. The Traverse offered a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. USB ports were standard for all rows, with wireless charging available on higher trims.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with features like Exit Warning Assist and Pre-Safe Sound enhancing safety. The GLC's advanced engineering contributed to its high safety standards.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse also received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though it had mixed headlight ratings. It offered less standard driver-assist technology compared to competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking available as options.