2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC showcased a timeless aesthetic with its soft curves and rounded edges, embodying a modern aggression through its menacing LED headlights. Its long hood and wide grille gave it a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. Inside, the GLC’s cabin was an automotive work of art, featuring flowing dash lines and a floating center touchscreen with rounded edges. Mercedes-Benz was moving towards larger screens and a minimalist approach, but the GLC’s interior design set a high bar for compact luxury SUV cabins.

The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover “coupe” body styles. The coupe version, despite its sharp look, sacrificed usable space. Standard equipment on the entry-level GLC 300 included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate. Inside, it featured synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats. The MBUX infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto was also standard. Higher trims like the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 added more potent powertrains and performance upgrades.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, introduced with a two-motor hybrid powertrain in 2020, retained the same design for 2021. It featured "Hybrid" badges, blue Honda logos, sophisticated LED fog lights, and a different rear bumper. Inside, it had unique instrumentation showing battery-charge status, power regeneration, and power distribution. The CR-V Hybrid was available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Pricing ranged from $30,560 to $36,350, with the Touring trim offering larger 19-inch wheels, navigation, a premium sound system, parking sensors, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power liftgate.

Our test vehicle, a Touring trim, featured Platinum White Pearl paint and Ivory leather, presenting a rich two-tone contrast. Despite the fake wood trim, the CR-V Hybrid’s interior was comfortable and spacious. The test vehicle cost $37,920 MSRP, including the destination charge.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD). The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select with Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes. Despite occasional lag and the need to deactivate auto stop-start, the GLC’s powertrain was generally responsive. The steering was precise, and the vehicle handled higher-speed turns with confidence, striking a balance between refined and responsive.

For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 offered a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC63 featured a twin-turbo V8 with 469 horsepower, and the 63 S variant delivered 503 horsepower. These AMG models provided performance levels comparable to sports cars from a few years ago.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor, producing a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. It featured three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most appropriate one. Additionally, it had three driver-selected modes—Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid’s added weight of 194 pounds, carried low in the vehicle, improved its center of gravity and weight distribution.

The CR-V Hybrid was quick off the line, had ample power, and handled predictably. However, it returned 33.7 mpg on the testing route, falling short of the EPA rating of 38 mpg and the 39.7 mpg achieved by a RAV4 Hybrid. More city driving might have improved the result, but the RAV4 Hybrid didn’t require special conditions to prove its efficiency.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 offered 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 19.4 cubic feet with the seats up. The GLC Coupe’s fastback profile reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC’s interior featured a decently sized center console, deep door pockets, and retractable center cupholders, making good use of its space. Rear-seat space was adequate, with plenty of headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe’s low roofline cut into headroom.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, with the driver’s seat offering 12-way power adjustment. Heated front seats were standard, and the available leather was soft and high-quality. The rear seat provided remarkable space, with cross-your-legs levels of room and good leg support. The CR-V Hybrid’s cargo space was configured for maximum utility, offering 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded, despite being slightly less than the standard CR-V due to the battery pack.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, offering both touch controller and touchscreen options. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the main 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 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid’s infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, featured a seven-inch touchscreen, which was smaller than many competitors. The system lacked a tuning knob and took a long time to start up. Voice-recognition technology was limited, making wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto necessary for natural commands. The navigation map display was cluttered, and HondaLink connected services were minimal. The Touring trim’s nine-speaker premium audio sounded good, and the system supported text messaging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and integrated Pandora internet radio.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also included front- and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. However, the parking and proximity sensors were overly sensitive, causing distractions. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. It also featured blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).