2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design was unmistakably BMW, from the iconic kidney grille to its body shape, ensuring it stood out as a luxury SUV. However, this familiarity also meant it could blend in with other BMW models in a crowded parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models added a sporty flair with body-color matched trims and unique styling elements. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it was criticized for its abundance of black plastic. The M Sport models offered a more aggressive interior design with exclusive trim and features.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a timeless aesthetic with its soft curves and rounded edges, setting it apart from the aggressive styling trends of the time. The GLC's design was both modern and classic, with a long hood and wide grille that gave it a dramatic stance reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. Inside, the GLC's cabin was a masterpiece of automotive design, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated it to an art form. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover "coupe" body styles, with the latter offering a sharp look at the expense of cargo space. Standard features included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate, while the interior boasted synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with rear-wheel drive available only on the base model. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 30 miles of all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were criticized for being less engaging than expected from a BMW, with a Lincoln-like driving experience. The X5's fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M achieving 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, and the X5 xDrive45e rated at 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLC offered rear-wheel drive or optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive, along with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes. The GLC's powertrain was responsive, with a balance of refinement and performance, though it occasionally exhibited lag when pulling away from a stop. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 featured a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 hp, while the AMG GLC63 offered a twin-turbo V8 with 469 hp, and the 63 S variant delivered 503 hp, providing sports car-like performance.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned conveniently and a wireless phone charging pad out of the driver's line of sight. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats offered ample space for children and two adults, with an optional third row available. The X5's climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with full power functionality made loading cargo convenient. The X5 xDrive45e offered slightly less cargo space than the traditional X5, but the difference was minimal for most buyers. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out of the second row.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 19.4 cubic feet with the seats up. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 17.6 and 49.4 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC's interior featured a decently sized center console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders, making good use of space. The rear seats offered adequate legroom without needing to slide them forward, though the Coupe's low roofline limited headroom. Overall, the GLC SUV was recommended over the Coupe for its better interior space.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, though the former had connectivity issues that required resetting. Standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional upgrades included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, a center console touch controller, and an advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, offering both touch controller and touchscreen options. The steering wheel had two touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone music apps required navigating through menus. Despite this minor inconvenience, the MBUX system was praised for its seamless operation.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were criticized for their inconsistent performance, particularly in bright sunlight or light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

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