2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the past with its modern retro design, reminiscent of the classic Bronco. It was a unibody crossover that combined rugged styling with everyday practicality, making it suitable for both urban commutes and weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport featured a short front overhang for improved approach angles and tall fender wells for trail driving. Its exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the rear. The SUV's wheels varied by trim, ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted options, with all-terrain tires available for off-road enthusiasts.

Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet refined cabin with an uncluttered design. The interior featured unique HVAC vent shapes and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The rotary gear selector and multiple storage cubbies added to the practicality. Interior trim levels varied, with options for cloth or leather-trimmed seats, heated sport-contour bucket seats, and Navy Pier Leather power front seats on the First Edition. The cargo area was thoughtfully designed, with options for rubberized flooring and a rubberized cargo floor for added durability.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC, in contrast, embraced a timeless aesthetic with its soft curves and rounded edges. It maintained a modern edge with menacing LED headlights and a dramatic stance, resembling a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. The GLC's design language was characterized by a long hood and wide grille, giving it a car-like appearance. The interior was a masterpiece of automotive design, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach. The cabin featured a floating center touchscreen with rounded edges, setting a high standard for luxury SUV interiors.

The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover "coupe" body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sleeker look. Standard features on the GLC 300 included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate. Inside, it boasted synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a fully digital instrument panel. The MBUX infotainment system, with its 10.2-inch touchscreen, offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Optional packages added features like navigation, ambient lighting, and a Burmester premium sound system.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, each tied to specific trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models featured a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes for various terrains.

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It handled trails and obstacles with ease, making it a capable off-road vehicle. On-road, the 2.0-liter engine provided a more satisfying driving experience, while the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under heavy acceleration.

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. Power was delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive or optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+.

The GLC's powertrain offered a balance of refinement and responsiveness, with ample power for most driving situations. While not overly sporty, it provided a comfortable and confident driving experience. For those seeking more performance, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 models offered significantly more power, with the latter featuring a twin-turbo V8 engine producing up to 503 horsepower.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its clever features and versatile cargo space. It could accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes in the cargo area, and Ford offered a range of accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter.

Inside, the Bronco Sport provided ample storage compartments, including large door pockets and multiple cubbies. However, some drivers found visibility issues due to the roof overhang and hood bulges, affecting both on-road and off-road driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded in the conventional SUV model, while the Coupe's fastback design reduced cargo capacity to 49.4 cubic feet. The GLC's interior made efficient use of space, with a center console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders. Rear-seat space was adequate, with ample legroom and headroom in the SUV model, though the Coupe's low roofline limited headroom.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, along with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system included six speakers, with an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system provided multiple drive modes, and trail control technology assisted in off-road driving.

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

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and navigation. All models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control and electronic stability control. However, crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also had front- and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera and dynamic cruise control. Some users found the parking sensors overly sensitive, leading to false positives.