2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year and received an update in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 version still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when closed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel appeared to be from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna offered various trim levels, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each with distinct features. The base CE was well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added features like sliding dual power side doors and heated front seats, while the SE trim included a power liftgate and leather upholstery. The XLE Limited offered premium leather seats, a JBL audio system, and HID headlights.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, contrasting with the aggressive styling of many contemporary SUVs. Its long hood and wide grille gave it a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. The GLC's cabin was an automotive work of art, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach. The interior was considered the benchmark for compact luxury SUV cabins. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover "coupe" body styles, with the latter sacrificing cargo space for a sharper look. Standard equipment on the GLC 300 included 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate. Inside, it featured synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and the MBUX infotainment system. The AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 offered more powerful engines and performance upgrades.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. The Sienna's powertrain sent power to the front wheels as standard, with AWD available on all trims except the base CE. The AWD versions were limited to a 7-passenger configuration. The Sienna's FWD version delivered the best fuel efficiency, with 12.6 L/100 km in the city, 9.1 on the highway, and 11.0 combined. AWD versions returned slightly higher figures. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with 4MATIC AWD. It featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select with multiple drive modes. The GLC's powertrain was responsive, with occasional lag from the inline-4. The AMG GLC 43 offered a twin-turbo V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC 63 S boasted a twin-turbo V8 with 503 horsepower, delivering sports car-like performance.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 4,247 litres with the second-row seats removed. This was more than competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing the full cargo space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome. The Sienna's third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, such as the Auto Access Seat, making it easier for those with mobility needs.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 provided 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 550 litres with the seats up. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. The GLC's interior made efficient use of space, with a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with no need to slide the seats forward for legroom. The SUV offered more headroom than the Coupe, which had a lower roofline.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition. It also included Bluetooth connectivity and five USB ports. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL premium audio system. The XLE Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC, equipped with the Premium Package, featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and an advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, offering both a touch controller and touchscreen. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on SE models and above. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and received top scores from the IIHS.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package for advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. Parking sensors and hands-free parking assist were part of the Premium Plus Package. The parking sensors were overly sensitive, triggering false positives at intersections.