2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than a traditional SUV, making it a modern choice for family transportation. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier versions were upgrades of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a timeless aesthetic with its soft curves and rounded edges, while still maintaining a modern aggressive look with its menacing LED headlights. The GLC's exterior was likened to a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. Inside, the GLC's cabin was a masterpiece of automotive design, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated it to an art form. The interior was considered the benchmark for compact luxury SUV cabins, showcasing Mercedes-Benz's commitment to luxury and elegance.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V, offering a quick and responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its lightweight design contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered multiple drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, providing a balance of refinement and responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S offered twin-turbocharged V6 and V8 engines, respectively, with the latter producing an impressive 503 horsepower.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was praised for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan. It provided excellent head- and legroom, along with a roomy cargo compartment. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep centre console and a two-position load floor, added to its practicality. The CR-V's cargo space ranged from 1,065 to 1,110 litres, depending on the trim, making it easy to accommodate various needs.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced this to 1,400 litres. The GLC's interior featured a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets for storage. Rear-seat space was adequate, with the SUV providing more headroom than the Coupe. Overall, the GLC made efficient use of its interior space, though the Coupe's design compromised some practicality.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system was showing its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The CR-V Touring and Black Editions included a wireless phone charger and additional USB ports for convenience.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the advanced MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a touch controller. The system was intuitive, offering both touchscreen and controller options. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for navigating the digital instrument panel and infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were well-integrated, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required some navigation.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights improving visibility on higher trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package for advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Parking sensors and hands-free parking assist were part of the Premium Plus Package. However, the parking sensors were overly sensitive, leading to distractions.