2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC presented a familiar yet slightly refreshed design, with a new front fascia featuring a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights. These updates aligned it with the aggressive styling of the A-Class and CLS-Class. The taillights retained their square LEDs, making the differences subtle unless compared directly with older models. While the GLC's proportions were adequate, it lacked visual excitement, especially in the mass-market GLC 300 variant. The AMG versions, however, added some flair with their wide tires and distinctive grilles. The GLC Coupe's fastback roof offered a touch of style, but overall, the design didn't stand out in a crowded parking lot. Despite its exterior shortcomings, the GLC boasted one of the best interiors in the business, with high-quality materials and impeccable fit and finish. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous smaller displays, and a more button-laden steering wheel, enhancing the driving experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury and timeless design. Despite its design nearing a decade old, the Range Rover maintained its appeal with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, large nameplate lettering, and clean styling. The test vehicle, in Byron Blue with silver 21-inch wheels, looked stunning. Inside, the Range Rover offered a high-contrast Ivory-color interior with a mid-century modern ambiance. While the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system wasn't as advanced as newer systems, it was manageable with some practice. The Range Rover's interior was luxurious, with comfortable front seats and a high driving position, but the second row lacked comfort and adjustability. Storage space was limited, and the cargo area, though equipped with a suspension kneel function for easier loading, offered less volume than expected for a vehicle of its size.

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 reprogrammed 9-speed automatic transmission, improved the GLC's performance, making it more responsive than previous models. However, it still fell short compared to competitors like the BMW X3. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine delivering 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, offered exhilarating performance, while the AMG GLC 63 models with V8 engines provided even more power. Despite these options, 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 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This engine, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive, provided smooth and powerful acceleration. The Range Rover's adaptive air suspension delivered a classic wafting ride, but its steering was slow and syrupy, and the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity resulted in side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The Range Rover was best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with an EPA-rated fuel economy of 20 mpg combined, though our test averaged 18.5 mpg.

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's interior was spacious enough for four adults, but 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 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a small refrigerated center-console bin. The cargo area offered 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, but still less than expected for a vehicle of its size.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system included advanced features like augmented reality navigation and a cloud-based voice assistant. While some features were ahead of their time, the system was generally user-friendly, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An Off-Road Engineering Package was available for light off-road use.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was fully digital, with three displays offering numerous customization options. While not entirely intuitive, the system was manageable with practice. The Range Rover also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top ratings in all crash tests and standard forward emergency braking. New for 2020 was Exit Warning Assist, which used blind-spot-monitoring sensors to warn of approaching cyclists or cars. Other features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.