2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC had a timeless aesthetic, characterized by soft curves and rounded edges, which contrasted with the aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries. Its long hood and wide grille gave it a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, underscoring its car-like characteristics. The GLC’s cabin was an automotive work of art, with flowing dash lines and a floating center touchscreen with rounded edges. Mercedes-Benz was moving towards larger screens and a minimalist approach, but the GLC’s interior design set a high bar for compact luxury SUV cabins.

The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover “coupe” body styles. The coupe version, despite its sharp look, sacrificed cargo 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 the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen. Optional packages added features like navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, ambient lighting, and a Burmester premium sound system. The AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants offered more potent powertrains and performance upgrades.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared a platform with the Nissan Armada, but its front-end styling was unique, featuring a distinctive Infiniti grille. The QX80’s LED lighting and conservative use of chrome added a tasteful, upscale look. The stylish 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels on the Premium Select trim further enhanced its exterior. Inside, the QX80’s cabin featured upscale materials, including wood trim and quilted semi-aniline leather seats. However, its design was starting to show its age compared to newer competitors.

The QX80’s cabin was spacious and comfortable, with good head- and legroom in the front seats. The power-sliding moonroof, though smaller than panoramic designs, added to the open feel. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat, but the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and third-row seats were convenient but slow to operate.

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, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. The turbocharged engine provided ample power, and the vehicle struck a balance between refined and responsive handling. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 offered a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC63 variants featured a twin-turbo V8 with up to 503 horsepower.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and linear power. The QX80’s transmission provided seamless shifts and quick kickdowns for passing. The vehicle’s body-on-frame construction and 9.2 inches of ground clearance made it capable off-road. The QX80 offered a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. The available Hydraulic Body Motion Control system helped manage body lean during cornering. However, the QX80’s fuel consumption was high, and it required premium fuel.

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 the seats up. The GLC Coupe’s fastback profile reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC’s interior featured a decently sized center console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders. Rear-seat space was adequate, with good legroom and headroom in the SUV version, though the Coupe’s low roofline reduced headroom.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height. Inside, the cabin felt spacious and airy, with good front-seat head- and legroom. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat, but the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and third-row seats were convenient but slow to operate. The QX80’s interior featured illuminated kick plates, a cargo scuff plate, and radiant exterior welcome lighting.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, a center console touch controller, and advanced voice control. The system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller options. 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 radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The display also included navigation with lane guidance and voice recognition. A Bose 13-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Performance Series Bose system on the Sensory trim. The QX80 also had multiple USB ports, illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and a wireless smartphone charger. The dual-screen rear entertainment system included screens in the front-seat headrests and wireless headsets, though HDMI adapters were missing. The QX80 lacked Infiniti’s ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system due to its older vehicle systems architecture.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came with standard safety features, including 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 parking and proximity sensors were overly sensitive, triggering false positives at intersections.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 came with standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-departure prevention, forward-collision warning, backup collision intervention, a smart rearview mirror, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row outboard passengers. The QX80 received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a four-star overall crash protection rating for the 2021 model. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not rated the QX80.