2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan stood out among its competitors with a design that was both creased and symmetrical, leaning towards a conservative aesthetic. This approach, while not overly emotional, aged well and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a new grille with the updated VW logo and standard LED headlights. The SUV came in various trims, including the sportier R-Line models, and offered a range of paint colors and redesigned aluminum wheels. Inside, the Tiguan SEL R-Line boasted a richer cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, though the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, maintaining a modern aggression with its LED headlights. The GLC’s long hood and wide grille gave it a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. Inside, the GLC’s cabin was an automotive work of art, with flowing lines and a floating center touchscreen. Mercedes-Benz was moving towards larger screens and a minimalist approach, but the GLC’s interior design set a high bar for compact luxury SUVs. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover “coupe” body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sharper look.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the option of VW’s 4Motion AWD system. The Tiguan offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its torque arriving later than some competitors, the Tiguan was enjoyable to drive once the power kicked in. However, its fuel economy was modest, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined for the R-Line with 4Motion. The Tiguan’s ride and handling were nimble and responsive in normal driving situations, but it lacked the fun factor when pushed hard.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This power was channeled through a nine-speed automatic transmission to either the rear wheels or available 4MATIC AWD. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. The GLC’s powertrain was generally responsive, with occasional lag when pulling away from a stop. The steering was precise, and the GLC struck a balance between refined and responsive handling. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 models offered significantly higher performance with twin-turbocharged engines.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though this feature was not available in AWD versions. The SEL R-Line trim provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, power-adjustable front seats, and a panoramic glass sunroof. The second row was roomy enough for adults and children alike. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard was less user-friendly. Cargo space was generous, with up to 73.4 cubic feet available in AWD models with the rear seats folded down.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 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’s interior made good use of space, with a decently sized center console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with no need to slide the seats forward for legroom. However, the Coupe’s low roofline compromised headroom. Overall, the conventional GLC SUV offered better practicality than the Coupe.

For 2022, the Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with the SEL R-Line boasting a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available in all but the base S trim, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the natural voice recognition feature required an additional subscription, which was not active during testing. The Tiguan also offered a Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice control. The system was intuitive, with both touch and controller options for navigating menus. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen. The GLC also included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the radio and smartphone apps could be cumbersome. Overall, the MBUX system was highly regarded for its functionality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with Front Assist and Side Assist, and added Travel Assist and Emergency Assist to its IQ Drive collection. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, while Emergency Assist could safely bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s new features aimed to improve this score.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also had front and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning. The parking sensors were overly sensitive, but could be deactivated if needed.