2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, presented a sporty yet understated aesthetic. Its design changes were subtle, avoiding excessive blacked-out trim or traditional performance cues, which conveyed a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. The RDX was not designed to be an off-road vehicle, as evidenced by the absence of oversized skid plates or bulging fender flares. Instead, it was tailored for daily driving and road trips, offering a sleek and stylish appearance without the rugged off-road pretensions.

Inside, the RDX A-Spec continued the sporty theme with front sport seats featuring simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting. The interior materials were of high quality, and the design focused on a sporty look and feel. However, the gauge cluster with red markings on a brushed silver background was difficult to read, except at night. Despite this, the RDX's cabin was not typical of a compact crossover SUV, offering a unique and engaging environment for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC, in contrast, embraced a more timeless aesthetic with its soft curves and rounded edges, while still incorporating modern aggressive elements like menacing LED headlights. The GLC's design language was reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing car-like characteristics. The interior of the GLC was a masterpiece, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated automotive packaging to an art form. The cabin was the benchmark for compact luxury SUVs, showcasing Mercedes-Benz's commitment to elegance and sophistication.

The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover "coupe" body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sharper look. Standard features on the GLC 300 included 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate. Inside, the GLC 300 offered synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a fully digital instrument panel. The Premium Package added advanced features like navigation with live traffic updates, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the GLC's luxurious appeal.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could deliver up to 70% of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered a range of driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their preferences. The A-Spec trim featured exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, enhancing its handling capabilities.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Power was routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The GLC offered Dynamic Select with Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, providing a balance of refined and responsive performance. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S models offered twin-turbocharged engines with 385 and 503 horsepower, respectively, delivering sports car-like performance.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. The RDX provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,668 litres with the seats folded. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 2,260 litres, though this figure was based on an unconventional loading method.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 offered 550 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,600 litres with the seats folded. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 500 and 1,400 litres, respectively. The GLC's interior featured a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets for storage. Rear-seat space was adequate, with ample legroom and headroom in the SUV model, though the Coupe's low roofline reduced headroom.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While the TTI mirrored the screen, making it more intuitive than similar systems, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was equipped with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen and an advanced voice-control system. The system offered both a touch controller and a touchscreen, providing a seamless user experience. The steering wheel featured touch-sensitive pads for navigating the digital instrument panel and infotainment screen. The MBUX system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps could be cumbersome.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring through the Intelligent Drive Package. Parking sensors and hands-free parking assist were part of the Premium Plus Package. However, the parking sensors were overly sensitive, leading to false positives at intersections.