2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC had a timeless aesthetic, characterized by soft curves and rounded edges, which contrasted with the aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries. Its 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. The interior was equally impressive, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated the cabin to an art form. The GLC Coupe, while stylish, sacrificed some cargo space for its sharp look.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, on the other hand, presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines, giving it a concept car-like appearance. Its Parametric Pixel design, inspired by 8-bit graphics, was used extensively in the lighting elements, creating a unique and futuristic look. The interior, designed with a "Living Space" theme, was mellow and comfortable, featuring sustainable materials and a Relaxation mode for the driver's seat. The Ioniq 5's cabin was spacious and practical, with a moveable center console and supportive leatherette seats.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered a balanced driving experience with precise turn-in and confident handling, even in Comfort mode. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants provided 385 hp and up to 503 hp, respectively, with performance levels comparable to sports cars.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered three powertrains across its SE, SEL, and Limited trims. The base SE Standard Range had a single 128-kW motor with 168 hp and a 220-mile range. The extended-range variants featured a 168-kW motor with 225 hp and a 303-mile range. The AWD models had a dual-motor system with 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but a reduced range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well, with four drive modes and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking. It provided a quiet and composed ride, thanks to its noise-reducing features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 offered 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 profile reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC had ample storage options, including a decently sized center console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with good legroom and headroom in the SUV variant.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), maximized interior space with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. It offered 133.7 cubic feet of total interior volume, with 27.2 cubic feet of rear cargo space. The Ioniq 5 prioritized passenger comfort with 106.5 cubic feet of passenger volume. Its interior featured soft touch points, a moveable center console, and comfortable leatherette seats, providing a pleasant driving and relaxing experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice control. The system was intuitive, with customizable digital instrument panels and seamless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for navigating the infotainment system and instrument panel.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted next-generation technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, AI-powered voice recognition, and over-the-air updates. Its 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and anti-glare.

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. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, and lane departure warning. However, the parking sensors were overly sensitive, causing distractions.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 included Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) with features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. It also had Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 offered a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, though it could be distracting in actual use.