2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was characterized by its timeless aesthetic, favoring soft curves and rounded edges over the aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries. Its design language, while modern with features like menacing LED headlights, maintained a classic elegance reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. This approach underscored the GLC's car-like characteristics, offering a dramatic stance with its long hood and wide grille. Inside, the GLC's cabin was a testament to Mercedes-Benz's commitment to luxury, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated automotive design to an art form. The interior was considered the benchmark for compact luxury SUV cabins, featuring a floating center touchscreen and a host of standard features that emphasized comfort and convenience.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a unique appearance, inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models but standing out with its own character. The GV70 combined SUV bulk with athletic, car-like elements, thanks to its sloping roofline and ribbed detailing. The Sport Prestige models added even more character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia and 21-inch wheels with a web pattern. Inside, the GV70's interior was inspired by the cross-section of an airplane's wing, featuring an elliptical theme and a minimalist design. The cabin offered a wide array of interior color options and luxurious materials, with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts in the Sport Prestige model. However, base models came with leatherette seats.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission, with the option of rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. Despite these performance features, the GLC was more about refined driving than sporty thrills, offering a responsive powertrain and precise steering. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants provided significantly more horsepower, with the latter's twin-turbo V8 delivering up to 503 hp.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrain options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty intentions. However, while the powertrain could deliver impressive performance, the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 was more comfortable on highways, but its firm ride and lack of solidity detracted from its luxury credentials.

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 the seats up. The GLC Coupe's fastback design reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC's interior was well-utilized, with a decently sized center console and deep door pockets for storage. Rear-seat space was adequate, with good legroom and headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While not leading the segment, the GV70's cargo space was competitive. The interior design, while daring, compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were less intuitive.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller options for navigating menus. The steering wheel included 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 could be cumbersome.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, with a glass rotary controller for additional functionality. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also featured a digital-key system, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a high-tech rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features, including remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also offered 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, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning.

The 2022 Genesis GV70, lacking crash-test ratings, came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also included a driver-attention monitor and Highway Driving Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2, with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.