2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a new front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, echoing the aggressive designs of the A-Class and CLS-Class. The taillights had square LEDs within the same housing, making it hard to distinguish from earlier 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 visual drama, and the GLC Coupe’s fastback roof brought a touch of flair. However, the beige paint and 18-inch wheels of the test car made it blend into parking lots, despite its over $60,000 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 on the seats and doors, and cold metal covers on the stereo speakers. The fit, finish, and overall quality were impeccable. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous smaller displays, and a new touchpad on the console. The steering wheel had more buttons and felt thicker and softer, with an optional 12.3-inch display replacing the analog gauges.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 combined Nissan Armada and Infiniti styling elements, with a body-on-frame construction that provided a truck-like ride. The QX80’s front-end styling, introduced in 2018, featured a distinctive grille and headlight design, giving it an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base Luxe trim and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its appeal.

Inside, the QX80’s design closely resembled the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery. The dashboard had a similar shape, and the switchgear appeared to carry over from the Armada. Despite the foot-operated parking brake, the interior felt luxurious, though it might disappoint buyers seeking exclusivity. The QX80 offered a comfortable ride, thanks to its independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control on Sensory models, which limited body roll during cornering. However, it felt less composed in corners and had a low threshold for body roll.

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 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), featured major reprogramming, making the GLC 300 feel more responsive. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, offered phenomenal performance. The AMG GLC 63 4Matic Coupe and AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic Coupe, with their twin-turbo V8 engines, provided even more power, but the GLC 300’s steering and handling were disappointing, with body roll and vague steering. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with 4WD as an option. The V8 engine was responsive, making highway overtaking stress-free, though the transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80’s body-on-frame construction provided a comfortable ride, with independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control on Sensory models. However, it felt less composed in corners, with noticeable body roll. The QX80’s 4WD drivetrain and 8,500-pound towing capacity made it capable off-road and for towing, though its size and wheel-and-tire combinations limited its off-road prowess.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC’s interior featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for new Mercedes drivers. The column shifter and door-mounted seat controls were unconventional but practical. The MBUX system, with its touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad, became second nature with practice. The GLC had enough room for four adults, though the back seat’s reclining mechanism was perplexing. Cargo space was 19 cubic feet behind the seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than a BMW X3.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 offered a seven-seat configuration with second-row captain’s chairs and an optional eight-seat configuration. Standard features included power-adjustable front seats, a driver’s memory system, and USB ports. Passenger space was competitive, with enough room for adults in all three rows. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third and second rows folded. The center console could open from both the front and back, though storage space was limited.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC’s MBUX system included augmented reality for navigation, a cloud-based voice assistant, and AI-based tasks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package added hill-descent control and underbody shields.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80’s Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Optional features included a 17-speaker Bose system and a rear-seat entertainment system. The system had analog controls, but the user interface was confusing. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included Exit Warning Assist, Pre-Safe Sound, and Predictive Brake Priming.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests and four stars for frontal crash tests. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.