2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years. The GX adopted Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t see any major styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior lagged behind modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall feel was not up to par with contemporary luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a more timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, while still exuding a modern aggression through its menacing LED headlights. The long hood and wide grille gave the GLC a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. Inside, the GLC’s cabin was an automotive work of art, with flowing dash lines and a floating center touchscreen with rounded edges. Mercedes’ move towards larger screens and a minimalist approach was evident, but the GLC’s interior design set a high bar for compact luxury SUV cabins. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover “coupe” body styles, with the latter offering a sharp look at the cost of usable space. Standard equipment on the GLC 300 included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate, along with a host of interior features like synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and the MBUX infotainment system.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was a throwback to an earlier era of SUVs. The V8 engine provided ample grunt for moving away from a stop, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the GX’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping the vehicle also required more forethought than modern SUVs, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, meaning it wasn’t very smooth. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD system with low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX 460 had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available with rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select with multiple drive modes. The four-cylinder turbo provided ample power, even in the default Comfort mode, with responsive performance and precise steering. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 offered a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC63 featured a twin-turbo V8 with up to 503 horsepower in the 63 S variant. These AMG models delivered sports car-like acceleration and cornering capabilities.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position made it feel like driving a bus. However, the dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, especially useful for parking and off-roading. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best reserved for children due to limited space and difficult access. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, and virtually no space with the third row up.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 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 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 no need to slide the seats forward for legroom. The SUV provided plenty of headroom, while the Coupe’s low roofline cut into headroom. Overall, the GLC’s interior was well-designed and functional.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions, with a separate display for time and temperature using a seven-segment format. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system with 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. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, but switching between the GLC’s radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus. Overall, the MBUX system was user-friendly and advanced.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional 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.