2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to the brand's commitment to a timeless aesthetic, characterized by soft curves and rounded edges. While it maintained a modern edge with its menacing LED headlights, it avoided the overly aggressive styling seen in some competitors. The GLC's long hood and wide grille gave it 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 artful blend of soft lines and curves, with a flowing dash and a floating center touchscreen. Mercedes-Benz was known for its minimalist approach, and the GLC's interior set a high standard for compact luxury SUV cabins.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a clean and balanced design, appealing to those who appreciated understated styling. Its conservative and upscale look promised to age gracefully. The Tiguan was notably large for its class, providing a roomy interior with ample space for four adults, and an optional third-row seat expanded capacity to seven, albeit best suited for children. The interior featured modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout, though it was marred by some hard plastics. The Tiguan's design was practical and functional, with a focus on comfort and usability.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel or 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 precise, and the vehicle handled high-speed turns with confidence, striking a balance between refinement and responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants offered significantly enhanced performance, with the latter's twin-turbo V8 producing up to 503 horsepower.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. While the engine was adequate for most driving situations, it suffered from turbo lag, and the nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to a sense of lethargy during acceleration. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD, though real-world testing showed slightly lower figures. Despite these drawbacks, the Tiguan offered a pleasant driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking, though it struggled with suspension isolation over rough surfaces.

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 them up. The GLC Coupe's fastback design reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC's interior was well-utilized, with a spacious center console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with ample legroom and headroom, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort, with large doors and tall seating positions for easy access. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the back seat provided excellent support and legroom. The Tiguan's cargo space varied depending on the presence of a third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 73.5 cubic feet with seats folded. The 40/20/40-split rear seat allowed for flexible cargo and passenger arrangements, and the cargo area featured deep wells for additional storage.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, touch controller, and advanced voice control. The system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller options for navigating menus. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and 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 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available from the SE trim. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. While an improvement, the MIB3 had some interface quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line offered a nine-speaker Fender audio system, and both SEL trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

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. It also included parking sensors and a driver drowsiness monitor, though the sensors were overly sensitive. Optional features included a 360-degree camera, dynamic cruise control, and lane departure warning.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with IQ Drive, offering forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available from the SE trim, with lane-keep assist and automatic high beams on higher trims. The Tiguan's parking sensors and reversing camera provided additional safety, and Car-Net connected services offered features like automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.