2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 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 a masterpiece of automotive design, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated the interior to an art form. The GLC Coupe, while stylish, sacrificed some cargo space for its sharp look.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an elegant extension of the Jeep family, with its elongated body accommodating a third row of seats. The design seamlessly integrated the extra length, making the standard Grand Cherokee appear truncated. The Grand Cherokee L retained classic Jeep elements like the seven-slot grille and U-shaped wheel arches, while modernizing with slimmer, brighter lighting. The interior was luxurious, with high-quality materials and a layout that rivaled premium brands. Despite its size, the Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, making it a comfortable choice for families.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered a balanced driving experience, with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. While not overly sporty, the GLC's powertrain was responsive, providing ample power in Comfort mode. For those seeking more performance, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants offered significantly more horsepower, with the latter's twin-turbo V8 delivering up to 503 hp.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The V6, producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, felt underpowered for the vehicle's size, while the V8 provided a more satisfying 357 hp and 390 lb-ft. The Grand Cherokee L also offered a 4xe plug-in hybrid option, combining a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with electric motors for 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The chassis was a standout feature, with excellent ride composure and steering feel, enhanced by an optional air suspension with five ride height settings.

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 interior was well-utilized, with a spacious center console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with ample legroom and headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L excelled in interior space, accommodating passengers comfortably in all three rows. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Grand Cherokee L offered a range of seating configurations, including second-row captain's chairs or a 60/40 split bench. A panoramic roof and numerous USB ports enhanced the cabin experience, though the air vents were less effective, requiring the fan to be on high.

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, with touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel for navigating 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 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a wealth of technology, especially in upper trims. Features included massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, and a 360-degree camera system. The Uconnect system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch screens for rear passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also included front and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. However, the parking sensors were overly sensitive, often triggering false positives.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS. It included standard driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. The Grand Cherokee L also offered a range of driver aids, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.