2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to the brand's commitment to timeless design, characterized by its soft curves and rounded edges. While it maintained a modern edge with its LED headlights, it avoided the aggressive styling seen in many contemporary SUVs. 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 embraced traditional Jeep design elements while incorporating modern touches. Its styling paid homage to the classic 1963 Wagoneer, with a forward-leaning grille and headlights, a lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. The Grand Cherokee's interior was a blend of comfort and quality, with higher trims offering luxurious features like quilted leather and a McIntosh audio system. The redesign improved visibility, especially useful for off-roading, and the available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin. While rear-seat space was tight for taller passengers, the two-row Grand Cherokee offered ample cargo space, making it a versatile choice for various needs.

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. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive or optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered a balanced driving experience with its Dynamic Select drive modes, providing options like Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. While not overly sporty, the GLC's powertrain was responsive, and its steering was precise, making it a refined and enjoyable drive. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants offered significantly higher horsepower, with the latter's twin-turbo V8 delivering up to 503 hp.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 293 horsepower and a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 357 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the Grand Cherokee was available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The V6 provided good acceleration and efficiency, while the V8 offered a thrilling sound and increased towing capacity. The Grand Cherokee excelled in off-road capability, especially the Trailhawk trim, which featured Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, and a Quadra-Lift air suspension. The Grand Cherokee's ride quality was excellent, and it felt more nimble and athletic than its larger sibling, the Grand Cherokee L.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the GLC Coupe's fastback design reduced this to 49.4 cubic feet. The GLC's interior was well-designed, with ample storage options, including a decently sized center console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with plenty of headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom. Overall, the GLC made efficient use of its interior space, providing a comfortable experience for passengers.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a comfortable experience for both driver and passengers, with higher trims offering features like heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. The redesign improved visibility, enhancing driver confidence in various situations. While rear-seat space was tight for taller passengers, the Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The two-row Grand Cherokee was accommodating, though the three-row Grand Cherokee L offered more cargo space and legroom.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system, which included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a center console 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 navigating the infotainment screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, equipped with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates. Most trims featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with a 10.1-inch screen available on higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The Grand Cherokee also offered a head-up display, Night Vision system, and a camera-based rearview mirror. An optional front passenger interactive display provided entertainment options for the front-seat occupant.

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 front- and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee was equipped with an extensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist. The latter provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. The Grand Cherokee's structure was composed of aluminum and high-strength steel, enhancing safety. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected to be available in 2022, allowing for more autonomous driving on approved roads.