2021 Honda Passport 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 variant. 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 entertainment to the design. Despite its beige paint and 18-inch wheels, the test car often blended into parking lots, making it easy to lose.

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 rich and 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 new touchpad on the console, additional buttons on the steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch display option for the instrument cluster enhanced the user experience.

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. The styling similarities extended to the interior, with a dash layout visually identical to the Pilot's. However, both models shared Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design for the automatic transmission. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout.

The 2021 Passport came in four trim levels: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport included features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, a power rear liftgate, and more power-adjustable seats. The Touring trim introduced front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, an upgraded stereo system, and a WiFi hotspot. The top-tier Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and wireless device charging.

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 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 a thrilling 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 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well, though the stop-start system could be abrupt. The Passport's ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. The FWD Passport could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the AWD model could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

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 seat controls were located 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 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 Honda Passport offered a generous 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of storage was available in an under-floor tray. The EX-L trim featured a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims included a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console had a deep bin and an open cargo tray. The rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system included advanced 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, though they were limited in functionality. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with 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 Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, along with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a poorly designed volume dial. Despite these drawbacks, the inclusion of smartphone connectivity features was a significant advantage.

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 advanced safety systems like Exit Warning Assist, Pre-Safe Sound, and Predictive Brake Priming, offering exceptional engineering and safety.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Passport received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, though it had "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.