2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC had a timeless aesthetic, characterized by soft curves and rounded edges, which contrasted with the aggressive styling trends of many contemporary SUVs. 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 cabin was an automotive work of art, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated the interior to an art form. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover “coupe” body styles, with the latter offering a sharp look at the cost of usable space.

Standard equipment on the entry-level GLC 300 included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate. Inside, it featured synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a fully digital instrument panel. The MBUX infotainment system came with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Optional packages added features like navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, ambient lighting, and a Burmester premium sound system. The AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 trims offered more potent powertrains and additional performance upgrades.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had a sportier and svelte design, similar to a Ford Mustang Mach-E, with a lower and wider stance. Its short highback tail featured a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar, and the wheels were stretched to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving it a stable and stylish appearance. The headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sharp look. The interior featured dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather, creating a futuristic and enjoyable driving experience.

The EV6's interior was spacious, with generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions. The rear seats reclined and had air vents with optional heated cushions, providing an airy and open space. However, the cargo hold was limited, with just 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6 also featured innovative design elements like pop-out door handles, a twisting rotary shifter, and a touchscreen that combined climate controls with stereo and shortcut controls.

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. Power was routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels or available 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select with Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes. The AMG GLC43 offered a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC63 had a twin-turbo V8 with up to 503 horsepower in the 63 S variant.

The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line e-AWD had two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, with a 77-kilowatt-hour battery. It could accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds and cornered like a getaway car. The top-power GT trim, arriving in fall 2022, promised 576 horsepower and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. The base EV6 Light had a smaller battery and a single motor with 167 horsepower, while the single-motor Wind and GT-Line models offered 225 horsepower. The EV6 featured multiple regenerative braking settings and a quick drive mode selector, providing a dynamic and responsive driving experience.

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 a decently sized center console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders, making good use of its interior space. Rear-seat space was adequate, with plenty of legroom and headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline cut into headroom.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had a low floor, providing generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions. The rear seats reclined and had air vents with optional heated cushions, creating an open and comfortable space. However, the cargo hold was limited, with just 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6 also featured innovative design elements like pop-out door handles, a twisting rotary shifter, and a touchscreen that combined climate controls with stereo and shortcut controls.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, with both touch controller and touchscreen options. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the main infotainment screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the GLC’s radio and smartphone music apps required navigating through menus.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was simple and quick, with dual 12-inch screens, a wireless charger, and navigation. It lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The instrument panel showed vehicles in surrounding lanes and live feeds of blind spots when changing lanes. The 360-degree surround-view cameras were sharp and clear, and the head-up display used augmented reality for directional arrows. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system.

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 had front and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Kia EV6 had no published test results from U.S. agencies but came with impressive standard safety tech. The HDA system included lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor, rear parking sensors, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, evasive steering assist, and adaptive cruise control with machine learning.