2023 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 eliciting strong emotional responses, aged gracefully and appealed to fans of simplicity and minimalism. The refreshed front styling aligned the Tiguan with Volkswagen’s larger models, featuring a restyled grille with the new VW logo and standard LED headlights. The SUV also boasted redesigned aluminum wheels and new nameplate lettering on the rear liftgate.

The Tiguan lineup for 2022 included S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Prices ranged from $25,995 to $36,995, with a destination charge of $1,195. The SEL R-Line test vehicle, priced at $37,970 MSRP, featured a sportier look, especially in the SE R-Line Black trim with its blacked-out appearance. The interior of the SEL R-Line was upscale, with perforated leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting in 15 colors. However, the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin revealed its mass-market status.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was a blend of new and old, with the GLC 300 being redesigned while the Coupe models were carryovers from the previous year. The most noticeable change in the GLC 300 was the new, narrower taillights, though it retained much of the first-generation GLC's design. This was not necessarily a drawback, as the GLC had led the small luxury SUV class for much of its production run with its timeless and substantive styling.

The new GLC's 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 like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. The returning GLC Coupe models maintained their distinctive coupe-like roofline and first-generation interior, which had aged well and offered some usability advantages over the newer sibling. Overall, the GLC-Class continued to exude traditional luxury while evolving its design.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,900 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the front wheels, with an optional 4Motion AWD system that could send up to half the power to the rear wheels. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, with additional Offroad settings for AWD models. Despite its 7.6 inches of ground clearance, the Tiguan was best suited for well-traveled paths.

The Tiguan's suspension system included MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent rear suspension, with 13.4-inch vented front discs and 11.8-inch solid rear discs. The variable assist steering adjusted based on speed, providing a nimble and responsive feel in normal driving situations. However, the engine's torque arrived later than some turbocharged engines, resulting in momentary turbo lag when accelerating from a stop. The EPA rated the R-Line with 4Motion at 24 mpg in combined driving, and our test drive in Malibu, California, averaged 24.7 mpg.

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. A nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive were standard, with optional 4Matic AWD. The GLC 300 accelerated smoothly, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which was average for the class. The brake pedal effort was soft but effective, and the suspension favored comfort over sporty handling, providing a smooth ride and a nearly silent cabin.

The GLC 4Matic Coupe continued with its older four-cylinder turbo engine, producing 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds. The AMG GLC 43 Coupe featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, delivering 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. The AMG model offered a sportier ride with a firmer suspension and louder exhaust, appealing to sport-minded drivers.

The 2022 VW Tiguan was a spacious compact crossover, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It featured a standard third-row seat in FWD models, though 4Motion models did not offer this feature. The SEL R-Line provided exceptional comfort with leather-wrapped, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The second row was roomy and comfortable for adults, with rear air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and ample storage.

Cargo space was among the best in the class, with FWD models offering 12 cubic feet behind the third row, 33 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with the second row folded. The 4Motion model provided 37.6 cubic feet behind the back seat and 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, rivaling midsize SUVs.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's front seats offered ample adjustment and long-distance comfort, with synthetic leather upholstery that looked and felt like genuine hides. Real leather was available for a smoother surface. The cabin had plenty of storage, including a large center console bin with a wireless charging pad, cupholders, well-sized door pockets, and a bin under the center armrest. However, the piano black lid attracted dust and fingerprints.

The GLC provided ample space for taller passengers in the front, while the rear seats accommodated average adults comfortably, though headroom was slightly limited for taller occupants. The standard GLC offered 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which was 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 Tiguan featured standard digital instrumentation, with most versions using an 8-inch display and the SEL R-Line offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, introduced last year, was available in all but the base Tiguan S, which used MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. The MIB3 system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, App-Connect smartphone mirroring, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The SEL R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

Natural voice recognition was a touted feature of MIB3, but it required a Plus Speech upgrade and an active Car-Net Hotspot subscription, which was not available for testing. Car-Net's Remote Access plan was complimentary for five years, allowing remote engine start, door lock operation, vehicle location, and Family Guardian alerts. The Safe & Secure plan offered automatic crash notification and emergency assistance, while the Hotspot plan provided a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Tiguan also offered an available Park Assist system for autonomous parking.

The 2023 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's screen was mounted higher 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 infotainment system performed well 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 Tiguan came with standard Front Assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection) and Side Assist (blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert). The IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems included Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and Emergency Assist, which slowed and stopped the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model's improvements aimed to maintain or improve that score.

Crash-test results for the 2023 GLC 300 were not yet available, but the previous GLC received top ratings from 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 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. The Coupe came standard with cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view camera.