2021 Jeep Cherokee 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 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 Jeep Cherokee's styling had become more palatable since its debut, though the short grille opening and swept-back headlights remained divisive. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD looked generic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more refined. Jeep's expertise in roof design was evident with the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof, which covered the entire top surface.

The Cherokee stood out in a crowded field of crossover SUVs, bearing a resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee from the front. Its interior was simple and businesslike, avoiding unnecessary luxury or technological distractions. The cabin design was clean and functional, with the quality of materials improving with higher trims. The Latitude was basic with rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk featured suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux offered perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale look.

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 RWD or 4Matic AWD, was reprogrammed to hold gears longer and downshift earlier, making the GLC 300 feel more responsive than previous models. However, the engine still fell short in sound quality, vibration, and response compared to competitors like the BMW X3. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, offered exhilarating performance, while the AMG GLC 63 4Matic Coupe's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 delivered up to 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

Despite the impressive engine options, 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. The 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, with the 63-series estimated at 16/22/18. A plug-in hybrid GLC 350e was expected to arrive in early 2020.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available on higher trims, increased output to 271 hp. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 270 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite the power, none of these engines provided outstanding acceleration, with 0-60 mph times around 7.2 seconds for the V6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four.

All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which had proven to be a capable and fuel-saving option. The Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled in off-road capability, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. The Cherokee was also available in FWD, making it a more affordable option for rental fleets and budget-conscious buyers.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's interior combined digital and physical controls, creating a user-friendly environment. The column shifter required an upward tap for Reverse and a downward tap for Drive, while the seat controls were conveniently located on the doors. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system featured a touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad, with customizable home screen shortcuts and a simplified layout. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but 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, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee filled a space between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that metric. The interior layout was simple and functional, with higher trims offering more upscale materials like suede seat inserts and perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system included advanced features like augmented reality for navigation, a cloud-based voice assistant, and AI-based behavior tracking. The system could display Yelp reviews, steer and brake on the highway, and offer a 10-second illusion of self-driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package added hill-descent control and underbody shields, though the GLC wasn't designed for serious off-roading.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, available with 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens, depending on the trim level. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly, and offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, and the climate control interface was user-friendly with physical buttons and a rotary knob. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis brands, providing a familiar experience for users.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, scoring top ratings in all crash tests and for its standard forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the GLC its highest 5-star rating in all crash tests. New for 2020 was Exit Warning Assist, which used blind-spot-monitoring radar sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars. Other features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming, enhancing overall safety.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top "Good" scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for LATCH child seat anchors. The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, full-speed forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was only available on the Limited and Trailhawk trims.