2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from its traditionally conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort. However, the Enclave marked a shift, reflecting Buick's strategic pivot towards SUVs, aligning with market trends. The 2022 model, as part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille and updated fascias, headlamps, and wheel designs. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique styling elements and luxurious interior upgrades, such as climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, offering a level of comfort and sophistication that elevated the Enclave's appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC maintained a balance between new and familiar elements. The GLC 300 was redesigned, yet its changes were subtle, with the most noticeable being narrower taillights. This continuity in design was not necessarily negative, as the GLC had been a leader in the small luxury SUV class, known for its timeless and classy styling. The interior, however, received a significant update, featuring a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a modern, high-tech design. Despite these advancements, the GLC retained its reputation for excellent materials and solid construction, offering a simpler and cleaner cockpit design compared to its rivals. The GLC Coupe models, while carryovers, continued to offer a distinct coupe-like roofline and a well-aged interior, maintaining their usability advantages.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided a smooth and quiet ride, a hallmark of Buick vehicles, enhanced by the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's AWD system and 7.5 inches of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road conditions. Despite its size and weight, the Enclave offered surprisingly responsive acceleration, with the nine-speed transmission performing seamlessly. The QuietTuning technology further contributed to a serene cabin experience, rivaling more expensive luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain offered smooth acceleration, akin to an electric vehicle, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds. While not as lively as some competitors, the GLC provided ample power for highway merging and passing. The brake system, though effective, had a softer pedal feel, and the suspension favored comfort over sporty handling. The GLC Coupe retained its older engine, offering similar performance, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe provided a sportier option with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, delivering 385 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility and comfortable seating. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated. The spacious cabin accommodated passengers comfortably across all three rows, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, enhancing accessibility to USB ports and the wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustment options, upholstered in convincing synthetic leather. The interior offered sufficient storage, though the piano black trim attracted dust and fingerprints. The GLC's cabin accommodated taller passengers comfortably, with adequate legroom in the rear. Cargo space was 21.9 cubic feet, smaller than some rivals, but the rear seats folded flat for larger items. The GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo capacity to 17.6 cubic feet and slightly impacted rear headroom.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 4.2-inch driver information center, with an 8-inch version on higher trims. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. The system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims offered a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though it lacked power for back-seat passengers. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology, with additional options like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC boasted an 11.9-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics, though its lower placement on the dash was distracting. The MBUX infotainment system offered excellent voice recognition, but the steering wheel's capacitive-touch trackpad was overly sensitive. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system. The lack of physical buttons made adjustments more distracting, though the older system was available with the Coupe body style.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional safety features included a Safety Alert driver's seat and a rear-seat reminder system. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings from IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC had not yet been crash-tested, but its predecessor received top ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Coupe shared similar safety features, with cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view camera as standard.