2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar yet refreshed appearance, with updates to its grille and front bumper, and standard LED headlights across all trims. The addition of a gloss black spear with a chrome insert at the rear and a new 19-inch wheel design for the Touring trim modernized its look. The interior was enhanced with perforated leather upholstery and ambient lighting, giving it a more upscale feel. The Odyssey was available in four trims, with pricing starting at $44,645. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, showcased these updates, offering a more luxurious minivan experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, maintaining a modern yet less aggressive look compared to its competitors. The GLC's exterior, with its long hood and wide grille, resembled a raised sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. Inside, the GLC's cabin was a masterpiece of design, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach. The interior set a high standard for compact luxury SUVs, with a focus on elegance and functionality. The GLC was available in both SUV and Coupe body styles, with the Coupe sacrificing some cargo space for a sleeker appearance.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth and effortless power delivery, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 10.6 L/100 km in combined driving, and it averaged 10.8 L/100 km during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive was a disadvantage in snowy conditions. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and firm yet comfortable suspension. The brakes, though improved, showed signs of fade under heavy use.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Power was sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered multiple drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, but the default Comfort mode provided ample power for most situations. The steering was precise, and the GLC handled confidently at higher speeds. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S offered significantly higher performance with their twin-turbocharged engines.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility, with logical controls and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, and heated front seats were standard in Canada. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for various seating configurations, enhancing passenger comfort and cargo flexibility. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row and up to 3,984 litres with seats removed. However, removing the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded in the SUV model, while the Coupe's fastback design reduced this to 1,400 litres. The GLC's interior was well-designed, with ample storage options and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with good legroom and headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's roofline limited headroom. Overall, the GLC made efficient use of its interior space.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims added navigation, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk PA system. The Touring trim included an 11-speaker audio system and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice recognition were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system, while functional, was not touchscreen, which disappointed some users.

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

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing as standard, offering advanced driving assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey was expected to maintain its top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with improvements in LED headlights and additional safety features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the Intelligent Drive Package for its best safety tech, including automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The Premium Plus Package added parking sensors and hands-free parking assist. However, the parking sensors were overly sensitive, leading to false positives.