2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE presented a smoother and less sculpted design compared to its predecessors, with softened lines and removed edges, contributing to a reduced drag coefficient of .29. The front end saw the most significant transformation, giving the vehicle a handsome yet unoffensive appearance. Inside, the GLE offered extra headroom and legroom due to a 3.1-inch extended wheelbase, and for the first time, an optional third row was available. However, the $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint showed a surprising amount of orange-peel effect, which was disappointing for a premium paint option.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC, on the other hand, embraced a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, while still maintaining a modern aggressive look with its menacing LED headlights. The long hood and wide grille gave the GLC a dramatic stance, resembling a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. Inside, the GLC's cabin was an automotive work of art, with a flowing dash and a floating center touchscreen with rounded edges. The interior design set a high bar for compact luxury SUV cabins, showcasing Mercedes' ability to elevate automotive packaging to an art form.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Despite its power, the engine felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag and the vehicle's nearly 5,000-pound weight. The 9-speed automatic transmission was decent but not as smooth as the 8-speed in the BMW X5. The GLE 350 4Matic's fuel economy was impressive, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined, but the X5 offered better performance with its standard turbocharged inline-6 engine.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 also featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLC offered steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, providing a balance of refined and responsive performance. The AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants offered more potent powertrains, with the GLC43's twin-turbo V6 producing 385 horsepower and the GLC63's twin-turbo V8 delivering up to 503 horsepower in the 63 S model.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE's extended wheelbase provided significant interior space, especially in the second row. Depending on the configuration, the GLE offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and up to 79.4 cubic feet with the seats lowered. The interior featured dual 12.3-inch screens, setting a new standard for dash design and customizability. The seats were comfortable, with a "Seat Kinetics" system to prevent cramping, though the steering wheel position could obstruct the screen view for some drivers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 19.4 cubic feet with the seats up. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC's interior made good use of space, with a decently sized center console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders. Rear-seat space was adequate, with plenty of legroom and headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline cut into headroom.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system, with two 12.3-inch screens and a comprehensive head-up display (HUD). The system included augmented reality for navigation and natural voice control, though the latter didn't work as well in the GLE as in the A-Class. The driver-assistance tech was better than BMW's but still had issues at high speeds, with the car bouncing around the lane and getting confused by shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, with both touch controller and touchscreen options. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the main infotainment screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone music apps could be cumbersome.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE had no current testing data from NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems. Features included Attention Assist, adaptive cruise control, auto braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. However, the safety systems were less reliable at high speeds, with the car swaying in the lane and getting fooled by shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other standard features included front- and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning. The parking and proximity sensors were overly sensitive, but could be deactivated if desired.