2021 Volvo XC40 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 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 air vents, padded and stitched leather, and cold metal 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. The new touchpad on the console and the updated steering wheel with more buttons enhanced the user experience. A 12.3-inch display could replace the analog gauges, and the previously cluttered buttons for various functions were streamlined.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well with the rest of the Volvo lineup. It featured "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, had a blanked-off grille, subtle badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, with a gloss black roof and mirror caps. The Recharge also had a unique rear bumper and a model-exclusive color, Sage Green Metallic, with the charging port located where the fuel filler would be.

The interior of the XC40 was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim on the dashboard and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly. Unlike many competitors, Volvo did not compromise on interior design to meet a price point, resulting in a high-quality, cohesive cabin.

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), was reprogrammed for better performance. The GLC 300 felt more responsive than previous models, though it still lagged behind competitors like the BMW X3. The AMG GLC 43 featured a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, delivering impressive performance and a thrilling exhaust note. The AMG GLC 63 models, with their twin-turbo V8 engines, offered even more power, but the GLC 300's handling and steering were disappointing, with body roll and vague steering detracting from the driving experience. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, had two electric motors providing AWD and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort over performance, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

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, became intuitive 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 rear seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Recharge's frunk was small, with much of the space occupied by powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space, with clever storage solutions like a removable trash bin in the center console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, and a single USB-C port was standard, though second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system included advanced features like augmented reality for navigation, with live camera feeds and overlays for directions and street names. The system used a cloud-based voice assistant and could track user behavior for AI-based suggestions. 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 rough terrain.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, with Google Assistant and Google Maps built-in. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability, allowing for updates to any vehicle function controlled by software. The Recharge lacked a start button, with the car starting automatically when the driver shifted out of park.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured Exit Warning Assist, Pre-Safe Sound, and Predictive Brake Priming, among other advanced safety features.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 Recharge had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, with optional features like traffic-sign recognition and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system.