2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a refreshed front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, drawing inspiration from 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 and vertical-bar grille, added some flair, 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 hefty 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 visually stunning, with wood cascading down from the air vents, and the leather seats and doors were impeccably padded and stitched. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the smaller displays from previous models. The new touchpad and steering wheel with additional buttons enhanced the user experience, making the GLC's interior a luxurious and high-quality space.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 took a different design approach, opting for smooth, sleek lines that made it look dynamic even when stationary. The base CX-5 Sport came with automatic LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing wipers. The Touring trim added rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, and auto-leveling LED headlights, which were particularly useful for night driving.

The CX-5 Carbon Edition combined the Touring features with a unique Polymetal Gray paint job, gloss black mirrors, and 19-inch wheels, along with red leather seats and black honeycomb trim. The Grand Touring trim added more luxury with leatherette upholstery, 19-inch wheels, LED lighting, and a power liftgate. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims offered even more premium features, including ventilated seats, heated rear seats, and genuine wood trim, making the CX-5 a solidly premium vehicle that rivaled offerings from Buick, Infiniti, and Acura.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The 9-speed automatic transmission, available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), was reprogrammed for better performance. The GLC 300 felt more responsive than previous models, but it 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 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, offered exhilarating performance, while the AMG GLC 63 models with their V8 engines provided even more power.

Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AMG models had lower ratings. The GLC 300's handling and steering were disappointing, with body roll and vague steering detracting from the driving experience. The AMG models, with their adaptive dampers and air suspension, offered better performance, but the GLC 300 remained the most common variant.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. The base engine was available in the Sport and Touring trims, while the turbo engine powered the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims. AWD was standard on the higher trims, while FWD was available on the lower trims.

Fuel economy for the CX-5 varied depending on the engine and drivetrain. The most fuel-efficient version, with the non-turbo engine and FWD, achieved 25 mpg city, 31 highway, and 28 combined. The turbo engine with AWD had slightly lower ratings. The CX-5's sporty driving style and engaging performance made it fun to drive, but the stiff suspension could be uncomfortable on rough roads.

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, offered a customizable and user-friendly interface. 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.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 provided a comfortable and stylish interior, with good headroom but limited legroom for rear passengers. The LATCH connections for child seats were functional but not the easiest to use. The climate controls were straightforward, and the larger shifter took up more space than modern electronic shifters. The infotainment system controls were not ideally positioned for shorter drivers. Cargo space was below average for the segment, with 30.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system included advanced features like augmented reality navigation and a cloud-based voice assistant. The system could track user behavior and suggest destinations, and it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Off-Road Engineering Package added hill-descent control and additional driving modes. However, some features were not fully integrated and could be distracting.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a standard 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, but the operating system was not user-friendly. The lack of knobs for tuning the stereo and the awkward positioning of the controls made it difficult to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a workaround for the system's shortcomings.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. New for 2020 was Exit Warning Assist, which used blind-spot monitoring to detect approaching cyclists or cars. Other safety features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 also earned high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Optional features included a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera system.