2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant mid-generation refresh, resulting in a more muscular aesthetic with its new hexagonal grille and standard LED headlights. This design shift moved away from the elegance of previous models, yet retained a touch of sophistication as the eye moved towards the sides and rear, highlighted by a new all-LED taillamp. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which added darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica stood out from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival by balancing practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim. The interior featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted Nappa leather seats, creating a luxurious feel. The Pacifica also excelled in sound deadening, providing a quiet ride.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, maintaining a modern aggression with its LED headlights. Its long hood and wide grille gave it a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. Inside, the GLC's cabin was an automotive masterpiece, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach. The interior set a high standard for compact luxury SUVs, with a focus on artful design. 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 included 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate, while the interior boasted synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and the MBUX infotainment system.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid version with a V6 engine, dual-motor electrically variable transmission, and a 16-kWh battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The hybrid model had an all-electric range of over 50 kilometres and a total range of 784 kilometres. The traditional V6 Pacifica had fuel consumption ratings of 12.4 L/100 km in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 10.6 combined, while the AWD version saw slightly higher figures. The AWD system was a new addition, automatically engaging when needed and deactivating for improved fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC AWD. The GLC featured Dynamic Select with multiple drive modes, providing a balance of refinement and responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 offered a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC 63 S boasted a twin-turbo V8 with 503 horsepower, delivering sports car-like performance.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious front seats and a padded centre console lid for a sense of togetherness. Storage options included an under-stack area and under-console storage for second-row passengers. Standard features included rear power-sliding doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating for flexible cargo space. The Pacifica provided best-in-class total storage of 3,979 litres, making it ideal for family travel.

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. The GLC made efficient use of its interior space, ranking mid-pack among compact luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its modern design and responsiveness. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with optional in-seat entertainment for the second row. The Pinnacle model offered a 20-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC's Premium Package included the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and advanced voice control. The system was intuitive, with both a touch controller and touchscreen for navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus. The system was praised for its seamless integration and user-friendly design.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered up to 116 safety features, with key features like automatic pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and forward collision warning available from the Touring-L grade. The Pinnacle grade included adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, and lane departure warning. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the 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 noted for being overly sensitive, but could be deactivated if needed.