2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Hyundai Palisade

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade had joined Hyundai's lineup as the brand's SUV flagship, replacing the Santa Fe XL. It stood atop a broad lineup of crossovers and SUVs, including the Venue, Kona, Tucson, and Santa Fe, with the battery-electric Ioniq 5 and hydrogen fuel-cell Nexo also in the mix. The Palisade presented an elegant, striking exterior design, shedding any past criticisms of Hyundai's designs. Its distinctive lines, prominent grille, and sculpted wheel arches added visual interest, while the continuous strip of glass surfaces around the tailgate gave the impression of a floating rear roof. Inside, the Palisade was equally polished, featuring a horizontally arrayed screen, high-quality materials, and spacious seating for up to eight passengers. The fit and finish were near-luxury levels, making the Palisade a worthy flagship.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was split between new and old, with the GLC 300 being redesigned while the Coupe models were carryovers from the previous year. The new GLC 300 had subtle exterior changes, such as narrower taillights, but retained the classy and substantive styling of its predecessor. The interior received a significant makeover, featuring a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a tablet-like instrument panel. The materials quality and construction were excellent, and the design was simpler and cleaner compared to rivals. The returning GLC Coupe models maintained their distinctive coupe-like roofline and first-generation interior, which had aged well. Overall, the GLC-Class continued to exude traditional luxury while evolving its design.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine featured gasoline direct injection, dual variable valve timing, and Atkinson-cycle capability, along with auto-stop-and-go settings to improve efficiency. The EPA estimated the Palisade FWD models could achieve up to 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/22 mpg combined, while AWD models had slightly lower estimates. Despite its middling efficiency, the Palisade offered a powerful and responsive driving experience with no turbo lag. It handled nicely, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension and stabilizer bars. The Palisade could tow up to 5,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with 4Matic all-wheel drive available. The GLC 300 could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, offering smooth and linear acceleration. The brake pedal effort was a bit soft, but the brakes were effective and easy to modulate. The suspension favored comfort over sporty handling, but the GLC still cornered confidently. The returning GLC 4Matic Coupe had a similar engine, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, producing 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and versatile interior, with comfortable seating in all three rows. The third row provided easy access and cupholders, while the second-row captain's chairs were exceptionally comfortable. The front row featured ample storage, including two compartments in the center console and door panel bottle holders. Luggage space behind the third row measured 18.0 cubic feet, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The Palisade also had an underfloor storage compartment and roof rails for additional cargo. The gear selector was a compact shift-by-wire setup, and the controls were logically arranged. Higher trims featured luxury amenities like a dual-panel sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery, and power-folding third-row seats.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's front seats offered ample adjustment and long-distance comfort, with synthetic leather upholstery that looked and felt substantial. Real leather was available for a smoother surface. The interior had plenty of storage, including a large center console bin with a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and well-sized door pockets. The rear seats provided adequate space for average adults, though headroom was slightly limited for taller occupants. The standard GLC had 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which was smaller than some rivals but still adequate. The rear seats folded flat for larger items. The GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo capacity to 17.6 cubic feet and lowered rear headroom by 1.3 inches.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade showcased Hyundai's technological prowess. The standard display audio system on SE and SEL models featured an 800 x 480 resolution screen, while the Limited and Calligraphy models had a 1920 x 720 color touchscreen with a 630-watt Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system included wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The Palisade had multiple USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, and several power outlets. Higher trims featured a head-up display, surround-view monitor, and Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system. The digital instrument cluster on Limited and Calligraphy models integrated with turn signals and blind-spot monitor cameras.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a large 11.9-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and immediate responses. However, its lower placement on the dash made it more distracting to use. The previous generation had a smaller screen mounted higher on the dash with a trackpad for easier control. The new GLC retained a tiny capacitive-touch trackpad on the steering wheel, which was frustratingly sensitive. The MBUX infotainment system had excellent voice recognition but interrupted music or podcasts. The new system performed better overall but was more distracting due to the layout and lack of physical buttons. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system.

The 2022 Hyundai Palisade boasted a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features. Passive safety features included seven airbags, three-point seat belts, LATCH anchors, active head restraints, and more. Standard active safety features included anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

Crash-test results for the 2023 GLC 300 were not yet available, but the previous GLC received top ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS. Standard safety features for the new GLC 300 included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive headlights, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and a surround-view camera system. The GLC Coupe had similar safety features, with cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view camera as standard.