2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC presented a familiar yet slightly updated aesthetic, with a new front fascia featuring a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights. These changes aligned it with the aggressive styling of the A-Class and CLS-Class. Despite these updates, the GLC's design was often considered unremarkable from most angles, lacking the visual drama found in competitors like the Volvo XC60 or Acura RDX. The AMG versions, however, added some flair with wide tires and a vertical-bar grille. The interior was a standout, offering one of the best in the business with high-quality materials and impeccable fit and finish. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the older displays, and a more button-laden steering wheel, enhancing the overall user experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, maintaining traditional styling features like a boxy profile and rectangular grille while adding character with softer lines and distinctive LED headlights. The Inscription trim level, with extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design offered a sportier look. The XC90's interior embraced Swedish minimalism, using matte-finish wood trim and offering unique options like wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, though it seemed slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, offered improved performance over previous models, though it still fell short compared to competitors like the BMW X3. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivered 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, providing a thrilling driving experience. The AMG GLC 63 models, with their V8 engines, offered even more power, but the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing, with body roll and vague steering detracting from the driving experience. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The T5 produced 250 horsepower, while the T6, with both turbocharging and supercharging, delivered 316 horsepower. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, with a combined output of 400 horsepower, added electric assist for improved efficiency. However, the XC90 struggled with acceleration from stops on electric power alone, and the gasoline engine often had to assist. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, with an optional air-suspension system providing a smooth ride, though it wasn't tuned for sporty handling. The XC90's towing capacity was respectable, with most models rated at 5,000 pounds.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered a mix of digital and physical controls, with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system providing a user-friendly interface. The GLC had enough room for four adults, though the back seat's reclining mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space was limited, with 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom for the segment. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power moonroof and upright roof profile. Up front, the Inscription trim offered 10-way power-adjustable seats with massage, though storage space was limited. Cargo space was also limited, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system featured augmented reality for navigation, using a windshield-mounted camera to overlay directional arrows on a live feed of the road. The system included a cloud-based voice assistant, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional wireless charging. An Off-Road Engineering Package was available for those venturing off the beaten path.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system emphasized simplicity, with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, though the text was sometimes difficult to read while driving. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were available, though the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It featured Exit Warning Assist, Pre-Safe Sound, and Predictive Brake Priming, offering advanced safety engineering.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though this only applied to non-hybrid models. It earned top scores in crash tests and offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering.