2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Honda CR-V

When we examined the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, we noticed that Mercedes-Benz was a brand that leaned heavily on timeless aesthetics, prioritizing soft curves and rounded edges. Most vehicles in its lineup, including the GLC-Class, have followed this design language, maintaining a sophisticated yet modern appeal. The menacing LED headlights provided a dash of contemporary aggression, yet it stayed far less intimidating compared to a Lexus NX's sharp grille. The long hood and wide grille echoed the familiar sedan characteristics reminiscent of the C-Class or E-Class, blending the essence of a car with the stance of an SUV.

As we stepped inside the GLC, the cabin immediately impressed us as a masterpiece of automotive craftsmanship. The interior retained the soft lines and curves noticeable from the outside, cascading into a flowing dash and rounded edges on the floating center touchscreen. Although Mercedes-Benz was heading towards larger screens and minimalism, the design era exemplified by the GLC’s cabin set the benchmark for compact luxury SUVs, turning automotive packaging into an art form.

The GLC was available in two body styles: the traditional SUV and a more contemporary crossover “coupe”, offering a sleek, sporty aesthetic at the expense of some cargo space. Standard on the entry-level GLC 300 were impressive details like 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate. Inside, it featured synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats among other amenities such as dual-zone climate control and a fully digital instrument panel with the MBUX infotainment system.

For added luxury, our test GLC 300 came with the $1,295 Multimedia Package enhancing navigation and the $635 Premium Package, which included SiriusXM, illuminated door sills, and vibrant ambient lighting. Other options available spanned wireless device charging to the Burmester premium sound system and a panoramic moonroof.

The AMG models upped the luxury significantly, with the GLC43 adding performance gears like a potent engine and adaptive air suspension, while the GLC63 included all the GLC43's features plus a limited-slip differential and a superior sound system.

Contrastingly, the 2021 Honda CR-V exhibited a more generic appearance typical of the compact crossover class. Its design followed a pattern seen across various brands, lacking in individualistic styling cues. While slight differences like the grille and chromed plastic touches aimed to distinguish it, it did not particularly stand out for its looks. The color palette offered was practical yet uninspiring, heavier on neutral tones with limited vibrant options, notably at higher trims – a trait underscored by our local dealer inventory check, which revealed scarce availability of eye-catching colors.

Inside, the CR-V offered various upholstery options contingent on the trim, with more upscale materials and finishes unlocked at higher levels. The seats, both front, and rear, displayed angular, modern details conspicuously absent in certain competitors. Despite this, vehicles like the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson seemed to have a slight edge in mid-tier trim aesthetics.

Under the hood, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class boasted a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing a robust 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Power was managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering it to the rear wheels or an optional 4MATIC all-wheel-drive setup. We appreciated the Dynamic Select with various drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+), providing versatile performance adjustments. In everyday driving, the Comfort mode sufficed, offering smooth acceleration and responsive handling without overreaching. Some minor lag was noticeable during initiations from a stop, aggravated by the sometimes finicky auto stop-start system, but overall, it struck an optimal balance of refinement and responsiveness.

For enthusiasts seeking more oomph, the AMG GLA 45 offered a twin-turbo V6 with 385 horsepower, whereas the AMG GLA 63 pushed boundaries with a twin-turbo V8, available in 469 hp and 503 hp configurations, producing performance akin to sports cars from a few years back.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Honda CR-V delivered consistent, reliable performance rather than thrilling excitement. Every non-hybrid CR-V trim was powered by a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Achieving 60 mph took about 7.8 seconds—decent yet unremarkable in its class. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) kept the engine revs steady but lacked the engagement seen in competitors with traditional automatic transmissions, such as the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson.

While front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive was offered as an option, paralleling most segment rivals but giving a nod to Subaru with the all-time AWD standard. The CR-V's suspension setup blended comfort and handling well, ensuring predictable and stable performance akin to family-oriented crossovers.

In terms of practical functionality, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC excelled with flexible cargo solutions. The standard SUV variant offered 56.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, shrinking to 19.4 cubic feet with them in place. The Coupe design compromised functionality, reducing figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet respectively. Although providing ample interior storage like the sizable center console and deep door pockets, the Coupe’s practicality took a noticeable hit due to its design.

For interior space, the GLC favored passengers with adequate rear-seat legroom and commendable headroom, at least for the SUV variant. The Coupe’s stylish roofline slightly compromised headroom but still maintained comparatively good use of interior space.

The 2021 Honda CR-V strongly prioritized utility. With 75.8 cubic feet of cargo volume accessible with rear seats folded, it outshined most competitors, and 102.9 cubic feet of passenger space made it one of the roomiest in its class. The higher trims added conveniences like power-operated lift gates and hands-free access, the latter showing some dependency on precise usage.

Absent in lower trims were roof rails, limiting the ability to carry oversized items externally unless opting for the premium $35,500 Touring trim.

Mercedes-Benz equipped the 2021 GLC-Class with its advanced MBUX system, which was both user-friendly and feature-rich. The system hinged on a 10.25-inch center touchscreen paired with a touch controller and voice recognition system capable of understanding complex commands. The dual touch-sensitive steering wheel pads allowed customization of the digital instrument panel and navigation of the main infotainment, offering notable versatility once users acclimated to the layout.

In contrast, the Honda CR-V only supplied its base LX trim with a basic 5-inch screen offering little beyond Bluetooth connectivity. More advanced trims boasted a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto integration, and SMS text messaging. Audio upgrades through the trims ranged from a simple 180-watt system to a more robust 300-watt unit with subwoofers in the Touring variant. Various charging ports ensured the convenience of keeping devices powered, with exclusive wireless charging attributed to the high-tier Touring trim.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class encompassed a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Despite extensive safety provision, some overly sensitive sensors, particularly in multi-lane stops, detracted from the driving experience but were modifiable.

Optional safety enhancements incorporated a 360-degree camera, dynamic cruise control, and lane departure warning, some of which competitors provided as standard.

Safety was where the 2021 Honda CR-V excelled, reflected in stellar ratings such as the NHTSA five-star overall rating and the IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It didn't receive the Top Safety Pick+ due to somewhat variable headlight performance and a merely "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use. Honda’s competitive edge lay in the standardization of its advanced safety features across all trims. The Honda Sensing suite, standard even on the base LX trim, included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control among others. Only the EX trim and above offered blind-spot monitoring.