2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC showcased a timeless aesthetic with its soft curves and rounded edges, a design language that Mercedes-Benz consistently applied across its portfolio. Despite embodying modern aggression with its menacing LED headlights, the GLC avoided the overly sharp and aggressive styling seen in some competitors. 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, featuring flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated the interior to an art form. The soft lines and curves extended to the dash, and the floating center touchscreen had rounded edges, setting a high bar for compact luxury SUV cabins.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Compass maintained a familiar look since its 2017 redesign, resembling a shrunken Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude test vehicle featured appealing 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish, giving it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and luxury-grade leather seats. The soft-touch surfaces and added sound deadening contributed to a sophisticated cabin. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive version of the Compass, offered a premium feel with features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, enhancing its role as a premium-brand SUV.

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, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Available in rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the GLC offered steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select with Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes. The turbocharged engine provided ample power, even in Comfort mode, with a generally responsive powertrain. For those seeking more performance, the AMG GLC43 featured a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC63 offered a twin-turbo V8 with up to 503 horsepower, delivering sports car-like acceleration and cornering.

The 2022 Jeep Compass, equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 177 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Despite its "Tigershark" name, the engine lacked the power to compete with other SUVs. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission for AWD models and a six-speed automatic for FWD models, the Compass struggled with a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, and the drivetrain felt sluggish. However, the Compass offered Jeep Selec-Terrain with Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud modes, and the AWD system could send all power to the rear wheels when needed. The Trailhawk trim provided enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a low range, hill descent control, and 8.6 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 provided 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 offered decent rear-seat space, with adequate legroom and headroom in the SUV model, though the Coupe’s low roofline compromised headroom. The interior featured a decently sized center console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders, making good use of its space.

The 2022 Jeep Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, exceeding the cargo capacity of the more expensive Cherokee model. The Compass provided enough space for four adults and their luggage, with features like eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The redesigned dashboard, new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, and premium leather upholstery with contrast stitching enhanced the interior’s perceived quality and sophistication. The center console offered increased storage, though the bin beneath the armrest remained small.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, offering both touch controller and touchscreen options. 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 2022 Jeep Compass introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous generation. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available. Uconnect 5 supported pairing two devices via Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa skill, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. The system offered over-the-air updates, navigation, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, and a wireless charging pad. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests like finding the nearest hospital.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features included front- and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional safety features were a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning. However, the parking and proximity sensors were overly sensitive, causing distractions.

The 2022 Jeep Compass improved its safety features, offering forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. Highway Assist, combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was to be added later in the model year. The Compass also offered parallel and perpendicular parking assistance and a 360-degree surround-view camera. However, the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds, and the forward-collision warning system occasionally produced false positives.