2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load children into car seats, even in tight parking spaces, and its spacious third-row seat comfortably accommodated adults. The Odyssey's design, while adhering to traditional minivan aesthetics, included stylish elements like kinked sliding doors and dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels on the Elite trim. Inside, the Odyssey offered a classic open-concept design with quality materials and a user-friendly layout, although the center stack's switchgear placement initially seemed haphazard.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC presented a blend of new and old, with the GLC 300 receiving a redesign while the Coupe models carried over from the previous year. The GLC 300's exterior changes were subtle, with narrower taillights being the most noticeable update. Its interior, however, received a significant makeover, featuring a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a modern, high-tech design. The GLC maintained its reputation for excellent materials and solid construction, offering a simpler and cleaner cockpit design compared to its rivals. The Coupe models retained their distinctive roofline, setting them apart from the standard GLC 300.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was a front-wheel-drive minivan with an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While it lacked the hybrid options of some competitors, the Odyssey offered a fun driving experience, with quick acceleration and responsive handling. However, its brakes tended to heat up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivering 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. The GLC 300 accelerated smoothly, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, and offered a comfortable ride with a nearly silent cabin. The GLC Coupe models retained their older engines, with the AMG GLC 43 Coupe boasting a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 producing 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, providing a sportier driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather seats, tri-zone climate control, and ample storage space. The Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat provided comfort for adults. The Odyssey boasted 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided comfortable front seats with ample adjustment options and synthetic leather upholstery. It offered sufficient storage space, though the piano black trim attracted dust and fingerprints. The GLC's rear seats accommodated average adults, with slightly limited headroom for taller passengers. The standard GLC offered 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Coupe's sloping roofline reduced it to 17.6 cubic feet.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like navigation, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system felt outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command capabilities. The rear-seat entertainment system, while functional, lagged behind competitors.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured an 11.9-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and responsive controls. The MBUX infotainment system offered excellent voice recognition, though its layout and lack of physical buttons made it more distracting to use. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system for audio enthusiasts.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. While effective, the system lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings. The Odyssey received a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's crash-test results were not yet available, but it was expected to perform well based on Mercedes' reputation. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive headlights. The optional Driver Assistance package added features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The GLC's safety systems were praised for their smooth operation and reliability.