2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to timeless design, characterized by soft curves and rounded edges. Its exterior, while modern with menacing LED headlights, avoided the aggressive styling seen in many contemporary SUVs. The 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 an automotive masterpiece, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated the interior to an art form. The GLC Coupe, despite its sharp look, sacrificed some cargo space for style.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, paying homage to its predecessors. The modern design included rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights, giving it a unique personality. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with a rugged yet refined design that included bare metal and exposed screws. The Defender 90 V8 test car featured a mix of leather and suede upholstery, emphasizing durability without compromising on luxury.

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 steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and multiple drive modes. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants provided 385 hp and up to 503 hp, respectively, with twin-turbocharged engines, delivering sports car-like performance.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 296 hp, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid with 395 hp, and a new 518 hp V8 engine. The V8 could propel the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities while maintaining impressive on-road comfort, with features like an electronic active rear differential and Dynamic drive mode for the V8 models.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 offered 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 design reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC provided ample storage options, including a sizable center console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, though the Coupe’s low roofline compromised headroom.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, with the Defender 90 offering limited cargo space but impressive rear-seat comfort. The four-door Defender 110 provided more versatility, with up to 70.4 cubic feet of cargo space in the two-row configuration. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large center-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. The Defender also offered exterior cargo solutions like a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice control. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with intuitive menu navigation. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender’s Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all but the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen. The system had user-friendly graphics and menu layouts, though the screen required a firm touch. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was equipped 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 features included a 360-degree parking camera and dynamic cruise control.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.