2021 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a refreshed front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, echoing the aggressive styling 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's proportions were fine, the mass-market GLC 300 lacked visual drama, making alternatives like the Volvo XC60 or Acura RDX more appealing. The AMG versions, with their wide tires and vertical-bar grille, added some visual excitement, 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 $60,000 price tag.

Inside, the GLC boasted one of the best interiors in the business, with high-quality materials and impeccable fit and finish. The all-black interior with stained gray ash wood looked rich, and the continuous sweep of wood from the air vents, along with the padded and stitched leather seats and doors, added to the luxurious feel. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the smaller displays from previous models. The new touchpad on the console and the updated steering wheel with more buttons enhanced the user experience. The optional 12.3-inch display for the instrument cluster and the removal of the strip of shiny buttons above the headlight switch were notable changes.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had a clean, balanced design with conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetics. Its larger size compared to the first-generation model made it nearly as spacious as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. The roomy interior accommodated four people comfortably, with the option to carry five or expand passenger capacity to seven with a small third-row seat, though the third row was best suited for children.

The Tiguan's interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout. The engine start button's placement on the center console was unconventional but functional. The cabin featured shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system. However, the use of hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks detracted from the overall quality. The Tiguan offered S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants available. Pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, had a window sticker of $35,040.

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 more responsive than previous models. However, the engine 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 phenomenal performance. The AMG GLC 63 4Matic Coupe and AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic Coupe, with their twin-turbo 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 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The engine suffered from turbocharger lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers or when extra power was needed. The Tiguan's fuel economy was EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, with the test vehicle averaging 22.6 mpg. Despite the engine's shortcomings, the Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action. However, the suspension's lack of isolation over sharp bumps and the tires' early loss of grip in corners detracted from the overall driving enjoyment.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's interior featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for new Mercedes drivers. The column shifter and door-mounted seat controls were unconventional but functional. The MBUX infotainment system, with its touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad controls, became intuitive with practice. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat's recline mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space was limited, with 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control system added to the comfort. The back seat offered excellent support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and well-shaped cargo space provided versatility. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX infotainment system featured augmented reality for navigation, a cloud-based voice assistant, and AI-based suggestions. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB-C ports as 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 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available starting with the SE trim. MIB3 featured an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The system also included Car-Net connected services with remote engine starting, automatic crash notification, and Family Guardian settings. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

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 sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars. Other safety features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with IQ Drive, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL trim included lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.