2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its utilitarian roots, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Once a rugged workhorse, it had become a vehicle that offered a plush experience with options like heated, ventilated, and massaging seats wrapped in premium leather. The Range Rover's design, despite nearing a decade old, maintained a timeless appeal with its clean lines and hallmark features like blacked-out pillars and large nameplate lettering. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with its high-contrast design and mid-century modern ambiance, although the infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a more timeless aesthetic with its soft curves and rounded edges, while still maintaining a modern aggressive look with its LED headlights. The GLC's exterior was complemented by an interior that was considered an automotive work of art, with a flowing dash and a minimalist approach. The cabin design set a high standard for compact luxury SUVs, offering a balance of elegance and functionality. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and coupe body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sharper look.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its off-road capabilities. The Range Rover's adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, although its steering was slow and syrupy, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity led to some side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed an average of 18.5 mpg.

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. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive or optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered various drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, but even in Comfort mode, the engine provided ample power. The steering was soft yet precise, and the vehicle handled high-speed turns with confidence. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants offered significantly higher horsepower, with the latter's twin-turbo V8 delivering up to 503 hp.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, though shorter passengers still found entry challenging. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in a slouched seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center console bin. The cargo area offered 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, but was less than some competitors. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 19.4 cubic feet with them up. The GLC Coupe's fastback design reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC's interior made efficient use of space, with a decently sized center console and deep door pockets. The rear seats offered adequate legroom and headroom, although the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom. Overall, the GLC's interior was well-designed for both storage and passenger comfort.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, could be navigated by those familiar with smartphones or tablets. The system required setup to avoid distractions while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for additional convenience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a center console touch controller, and advanced voice control. The system was more intuitive than its predecessor, offering both touch and controller options for navigating menus. 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 required navigating through menus.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included several of these packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.

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. It also included parking sensors and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional features included a 360-degree camera, dynamic cruise control, and lane departure warning. The parking sensors were overly sensitive, but could be deactivated if needed.