2021 Honda Odyssey 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 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 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 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 stereo speaker covers. The fit, finish, and overall quality were impeccable. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the older, 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 for various functions were replaced by a blank plate.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey retained a familiar look with minor tweaks for modernization, such as a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs debuted for the top three trim levels, reducing brightwork and giving the Odyssey a more contemporary appearance. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels with Shark Gray paint and machined surfaces.

The Odyssey Elite's interior was closer than ever to being the Acura of minivans, with a more luxurious feel. Most 2021 models received seating material and design improvements, and new tri-color floor mats helped hide dirt. The Elite trim included a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The second-row Magic Slide seats offered various configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

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 fell short compared to competitors like the BMW X3 and Honda Accord in terms of sound quality, vibration, and response. 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 boasted even more power with their twin-turbo V8 engines.

Despite the impressive performance of the AMG models, the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing. The car exhibited body roll, vague steering, and sloppy suspension control, which affected its directional stability. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, with an average of just under 22 mpg over 430 miles. The AMG models had lower fuel economy ratings, and a plug-in hybrid GLC 350e was expected to arrive in 2020.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine provided smooth, effortless power, and the transmission's variable cylinder management helped conserve fuel. The EPA estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, with an average of 21.8 mpg during testing. However, the Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive (AWD), putting it at a disadvantage in snowy and icy regions.

Honda added a new electronic brake booster for 2021, improving brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable ride quality. The 19-inch wheels on the Touring and Elite trims enhanced handling, though the brakes struggled under heavy use, especially during a heatwave. The Odyssey's braking performance could benefit from an upgrade, given its passenger and cargo capacity.

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 located on the doors. The new Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system offered a simplified layout with selectable items that glowed when highlighted. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat's reclining mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space measured 19 cubic feet behind the seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, with inboard adjustable armrests and a heated steering wheel in the Elite trim. The front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, but passengers didn't complain. The Magic Slide second-row seats provided various configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system featured augmented reality for navigation, using a windshield-mounted camera to show a live feed of the road with directional overlays. The system also included a cloud-based voice assistant, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package added hill-descent control and additional driving modes for rocky or snowy roads.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's EX trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. The Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. The Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. The rear-seat entertainment system in the Touring and Elite trims featured a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, and built-in streaming apps. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and received the highest 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). New for 2020, Exit Warning Assist used blind-spot-monitoring radar sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars, warning the driver or passenger for up to 3 minutes after shutting down the car. Other features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with the standard Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) on all trims. The system included low-speed follow capability for adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The Odyssey received top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for rollover resistance, which earned a four-star score.