2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille shared with the two-row Atlas Cross Sport model. These changes added 2.4 inches to the length of the Atlas, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the conservatively-styled 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts. Despite these cosmetic changes, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which is used by most current VW models. The interior of the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with a standard seating configuration of seven seats across three rows. However, the material quality on the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, embodying a modern yet aggressive look with its menacing LED headlights. The GLC’s cabin was an automotive work of art, with flowing dash lines and a floating center touchscreen with rounded edges. The interior design was considered the bar by which other compact luxury SUV cabins were measured. The GLC was offered in both conventional SUV and crossover “coupe” body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sharper look. Standard equipment on the entry-level GLC 300 included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate, along with synthetic leather upholstery and a fully digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options. The standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. A 3.6-liter VR6, available on SE with Technology and higher trim levels, was rated at 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The 4Motion system could send power to the rear wheels when needed. However, the driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with adequate acceleration but rough shifts and poor ride quality. The Atlas also had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine, but only 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy was not impressive, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 22 mpg combined with FWD and the VR6 at 19 mpg combined with FWD.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that made 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels or available 4MATIC AWD. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select with Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes. The four-cylinder turbo provided plenty of power, with a generally responsive powertrain and precise turn-in. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLA 45 offered a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLA 63 featured a twin-turbo V8 with up to 503 hp.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but had the worst second-row legroom in its class. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It had up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad, along with up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, with low-speed automatic braking and active park assist available on higher trim levels.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 provided 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 had a decently sized center console and deep door pockets for storage. The rear seats offered adequate legroom and headroom in the SUV, but the Coupe’s low roofline cut into headroom. The GLC made good use of its interior space, with a retractable wood panel to hide the center cupholders.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The base S trim level had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trim levels offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW’s new MIBIII infotainment system later in the model year, which included multi-phone pairing capability and improved voice recognition. The base six-speaker audio system was decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on SEL and higher trim levels. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was also new for 2021.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which used a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, center console touch controller, and an advanced voice-control system. The steering wheel had two small touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the main infotainment screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but switching between the GLC’s radio and smartphone music apps required navigating through menus. Overall, the MBUX system was intuitive and seamless once acclimated.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received the top “good” rating in all IIHS crash tests, but a “marginal” rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published ratings for the 2021 model, but the 2020 model received a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trim levels. The Atlas was set to receive more sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came with standard safety tech such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other standard features included 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, but could be deactivated if desired.