INFINITI QX50 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to timeless design, opting for soft curves and rounded edges that contrasted with the aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries. Its exterior, with a long hood and wide grille, presented a dramatic stance reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. The interior was equally impressive, with a flowing dash and a floating center touchscreen that embodied Mercedes' minimalist yet artistic cabin design. The GLC was available in both a conventional SUV format and a crossover "coupe" body style, with the latter offering a sharp look at the expense of cargo space. Standard features included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate, while the interior boasted synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 stood out in the luxury compact crossover segment with its distinctive design and engineering prowess, particularly its VC-Turbo engine. The exterior featured a large honeycomb grille and a curved hood with athletic bulges, giving it a sporty appearance. The rear was marked by a unique chrome strip, adding character to the design. Inside, the QX50 offered a spacious cabin with soft-touch materials and aluminum trim accents. The front seats provided heating and cooling, enhancing comfort in varying weather conditions. The interior controls were user-friendly, with actual knobs and buttons for radio and climate settings. The QX50's cabin was complemented by a panoramic moonroof, which added to the airy feel and provided stunning views.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, with options for rear-wheel or 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. Despite these performance features, the GLC was more about balance than outright sportiness, offering a responsive yet refined driving experience. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 variants provided significantly more horsepower, with the latter's twin-turbo V8 engine producing up to 503 hp.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 offered a single powertrain option across its lineup: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup produced 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The QX50's VC-Turbo engine was notable for its ability to adjust the compression ratio, balancing power and efficiency. The CVT, while traditionally known for droning, was well-tuned in the QX50, providing a smooth driving experience. The vehicle came with a drive mode selector, offering Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal modes. Sport mode enhanced responsiveness, while Eco mode prioritized fuel efficiency. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded in the conventional SUV format, while the GLC Coupe's fastback design reduced this to 49.4 cubic feet. The GLC's interior was well-utilized, with a decently sized center console and deep door pockets for storage. Rear-seat space was adequate, with ample legroom and headroom in the SUV variant, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 provided a spacious interior, with ample hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for flexibility between passenger comfort and cargo space. The cargo area offered 31.1 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, expanding to 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The QX50 was equipped with numerous storage options, including cupholders, storage bins, and charging ports.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system, which included a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, a center console touch controller, and an advanced voice-control system. 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. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with the InTouch infotainment system, featuring dual display screens—an 8-inch upper and a 7-inch lower unit. The system included voice recognition and a suite of connected services. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was seamless, and Apple CarPlay integration was glitch-free. The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system provided excellent sound quality. The QX50 also featured Infiniti's Around View Monitor and ProPilot Assist, an advanced driving assistance system that combined adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also included front- and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera and dynamic cruise control. However, the parking sensors were noted to be overly sensitive, causing distractions.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, predictive forward-collision warning, and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection. It also offered lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking. The QX50 received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for crash protection. The ProPilot Assist system provided additional safety and convenience on long drives.