2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Jeep Compass

The 2022 Jeep Compass received exterior styling updates and new wheel designs, but it retained much of its look from the 2017 redesign. It resembled a smaller Grand Cherokee. The High Altitude test vehicle featured 19-inch multi-spoke wheels with a dark sparkly finish that matched the paint, giving it an upscale appearance for a compact Jeep.

Inside, the 2022 Compass High Altitude impressed with a new dashboard design, updated digital instrumentation, and infotainment systems. Soft-touch surfaces, luxury-grade leather seats, and added sound deadening elevated its sophistication. The High Altitude trim, the most expensive in the lineup, came with standard all-wheel drive and several option packages, bringing the MSRP to $40,470, including destination charges.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was split between new and old models. The GLC 300 was redesigned, while the Coupe models were carryovers from the previous year. The most noticeable exterior change was the new, narrower taillights. Despite the redesign, it closely resembled the first-generation GLC from 2016, which had led the small luxury SUV class for much of its production run. The design remained classy and timeless, though some might have preferred more distinct updates.

The new GLC's interior saw significant changes, aligning with newer Mercedes models. A large vertical infotainment touchscreen dominated the dashboard, complemented by a tablet-like instrument panel. The cabin featured excellent materials quality and solid construction, with a simpler and cleaner design compared to rivals like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Lexus RX. The returning GLC Coupe models retained their first-generation interiors, which had aged well and offered some usability advantages over the newer sibling.

The 2022 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 177 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Dubbed the "Tigershark" engine, it lacked the power to compete with most other SUVs. A turbocharger would have significantly improved its performance, especially for those planning mountain adventures. The engine was noisy at high revs, and the nine-speed automatic transmission, while better than a CVT, was reluctant to downshift and quick to upshift, resulting in a busy and unrewarding powertrain character. The automatic stop/start system was slow to re-engage, leading to hard engagement and slow acceleration from a rolling start. The Compass averaged 23.8 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 25 mpg. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance, it handled light off-roading and snowstorms well, but the Trailhawk trim offered more serious off-road capabilities. The Compass felt nimble and maneuverable, but its short-wheelbase made it bouncy on uneven pavement.

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. The nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel-drive were standard, with 4Matic all-wheel-drive available. Acceleration was smooth and linear, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The brake pedal 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 cabin was nearly silent, enhancing the smooth ride. 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, reaching 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The AMG model offered a sportier ride with a firmer suspension and louder engine.

The 2022 Jeep Compass shared similar interior dimensions with the Renegade and Cherokee, making it spacious enough for four adults and their luggage. The High Altitude trim featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Elite Interior Group option package added premium leather upholstery and light-gray contrast stitching. The dual-pane panoramic sunroof and redesigned soft-touch dashboard enhanced the cabin's sophistication. The new Uconnect 5 infotainment screen was integrated into the dashboard, and the center console offered twice the storage of the previous model. The Compass had 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, exceeding the cargo space of the more expensive Cherokee model.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's front seats offered ample adjustment and long-distance comfort. The synthetic leather upholstery was convincingly grained, with real leather available for a smoother feel. The center console featured a large bin with a wireless charging pad and cupholders, though the piano black lid attracted dust and fingerprints. The door pockets and bin under the center armrest provided additional storage. The front seats had plenty of space for taller passengers, while the rear seats accommodated average adults comfortably, though headroom was slightly limited. The standard GLC had 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, smaller than rivals but adequate for most shoppers. 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 Jeep Compass featured the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which was five times faster than the previous generation. An 8.4-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available. Uconnect 5 supported the pairing of two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Amazon Alexa skill, satellite radio, and voice text-to-reply capability. Over-the-air updates kept the system current. Additional features included a navigation system, connected services, a WiFi hotspot, Alexa Built-In, and a wireless device charging pad. The nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system was available. The voice recognition system was fast and accurate, though it struggled with specific requests like finding the nearest hospital. Overall, Uconnect 5 was impressive but not the easiest to use.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's new interior layout featured an 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 on the center console for easier control. The new GLC retained a tiny capacitive-touch trackpad on the steering wheel, which was frustrating due to its sensitivity. The MBUX infotainment system had excellent voice recognition but interrupted music or podcasts. The new system performed better 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 Jeep Compass saw improvements in safety features, with every version now including forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Highway Assist, pairing adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, was to be added later in the model year. A parallel and perpendicular parking assistance system and 360-degree surround-view camera system were also available. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worked well, though the lane-keep assist was too insistent at lower speeds. The forward-collision warning system occasionally gave false positives. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available, but the previous three-star rollover resistance rating was carried over.

Crash-test results for the 2023 GLC 300 were not yet available, but the previous GLC received a five-star rating from NHTSA and top scores from IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features for the new GLC 300 included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and emergency stop assist. Other options included a surround-view camera system and upgraded headlights. The Coupe had cross-traffic alerts and the surround-view camera as standard, with an identical Driver Assistance package. False alarms were rare, and the adaptive cruise control operated smoothly and reliably.