2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a new front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, echoing the aggressive design cues of the A-Class and CLS-Class. The taillights had square LEDs within the same housing, making it hard to distinguish from previous models unless parked side by side. While the GLC wasn't unattractive, it lacked visual excitement from most angles, especially in the mass-market GLC 300 model. The AMG versions, with their wide tires and vertical-bar grille, added some flair, and the GLC Coupe's fastback roof brought a touch of entertainment. However, the beige paint and 18-inch wheels of the test car made it blend into parking lots, despite its hefty price tag.

What truly set the GLC apart was its interior, which was among the best in the business. The all-black interior with stained gray ash wood was rich and luxurious, featuring a continuous sweep of wood from the air vents, padded and stitched leather, and cold metal speaker covers. The fit, finish, and overall quality were impeccable. The major change for 2020 was the introduction of a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the older, smaller displays. The new touchpad on the console and the updated steering wheel with more buttons enhanced the user experience. A 12.3-inch display could replace the analog gauges, adding to the modern feel of the cabin.

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. The second generation, arriving in 2015, received a styling update in 2019, which carried over to 2020. The Edge's design gave it the appearance of a crossover version of the Fusion, with angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille. Inside, the Edge showed its age, with a layout unchanged since 2015 and awkwardly arranged climate and radio controls. The rotary shifter, a contemporary design cue, solved some space issues.

The cabin quality was decent, with soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish, but the heavy use of hard plastics detracted from the overall feel. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features. The SE came with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, satellite radio, WiFi hotspot, and Ford's SYNC 3 infotainment system. The SEL added LED fog lights, heated side mirrors, and a nine-speaker audio system. The Titanium trim featured 19-inch wheels, genuine leather upholstery, and a B&O 12-speaker sound system. The ST, the performance variant, included a more powerful engine, standard AWD, and sportier styling.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The 9-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), was reprogrammed for better performance. The GLC 300 felt more responsive than previous models, holding gears longer and downshifting earlier. However, the engine still fell short compared to competitors like the BMW X3. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivered 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, offering a thrilling driving experience. The AMG GLC 63 4Matic Coupe's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produced 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, while the AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic Coupe topped out at 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Despite the impressive performance of the AMG models, the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing, with body roll and vague steering detracting from the driving experience. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed to the front wheels or available AWD through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine provided solid low-end acceleration, making it suitable for city driving, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, absorbing potholes and road imperfections while remaining refined and engaging to drive. The sporty Edge ST featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque to standard AWD. The ST's acceleration was impressive, with heavy steering and excellent cornering. A Sport mode enhanced the driving experience, and an optional ST Performance Brake Package included unique wheels, summer performance tires, and upgraded brakes.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's interior featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for those unfamiliar with modern Mercedes vehicles. The column shifter required an upward tap for Reverse and a downward tap for Drive, while seat controls were located on the doors. The MBUX infotainment system, with its touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad, became intuitive with practice. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat's reclining mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space was 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2020 Ford Edge's cabin layout was one of its strongest suits, offering a commanding view of the road and plenty of storage compartments. The seats were spacious and comfortable, with ample head- and legroom in the second row. The Edge provided 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-fold rear seats folded. This was more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano, though slightly less than the Honda Passport. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system included advanced features like augmented reality for navigation, using a windshield-mounted camera to overlay directional arrows and street names on a live feed of the road. The system also used a cloud-based voice assistant for various tasks and could track user behavior to make suggestions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package added hill-descent control and underbody shields for light off-road use.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with Ford's SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with easy-to-use icons and a home button. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration were standard, with optional voice-activated navigation on the SEL and ST trims. The Titanium trim included navigation with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. The Edge also featured two smart-charging USB ports and an optional dual rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, scoring top ratings in all crash tests and for its standard forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded the GLC its highest 5-star rating in all crash tests. New for 2020 was Exit Warning Assist, which used blind-spot-monitoring sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars. Other features included Pre-Safe Sound, which played "pink noise" to protect eardrums in a crash, and Predictive Brake Priming, which moved the brake pads closer to the discs in anticipation of hard braking.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a full array of airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system, standard on all trims, included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, adding adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.