2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to the brand's commitment to a timeless aesthetic, characterized by soft curves and rounded edges. While it maintained a modern aggression with its menacing LED headlights, it avoided the overly sharp designs seen in some competitors. The GLC's 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 artful blend of soft lines and curves, with a flowing dash and a floating centre touchscreen. Mercedes-Benz was known for its minimalist approach, and the GLC's interior set the standard for compact luxury SUV cabins.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V's design was more utilitarian, blending in with the crowd of compact crossovers. Its styling was similar to many competitors, with few distinguishing features apart from the grille and some chromed plastic accents. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were variations of grey, black, and white. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and a choice of materials depending on the trim level. While it didn't stand out in terms of design, the CR-V was practical and functional, focusing on comfort and utility rather than aesthetics.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The GLC offered various drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor their driving experience. While the GLC wasn't overly sporty, it provided ample power and a responsive driving experience. For those seeking more performance, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S offered twin-turbocharged engines with 385 and 503 horsepower, respectively, delivering sports car-like acceleration and handling.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, was not designed for high-performance driving. It featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CR-V's acceleration was modest, taking about 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h. While it didn't offer the same level of engagement as some competitors with conventional transmissions, the CR-V provided smooth and predictable performance. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option on most trims. The CR-V's suspension setup ensured decent handling and ride quality, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered a practical interior with 1,600 litres of cargo space when the rear seats were folded, and 550 litres with them up. The GLC Coupe's fastback design reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. While the Coupe's cargo space was limited, the conventional GLC ranked mid-pack among compact luxury SUVs. The interior featured a well-designed centre console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders, maximizing storage options. Rear-seat space was adequate, with ample legroom and headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering more than 100 litres of additional interior volume compared to the Toyota RAV4. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V provided 1,065 litres of cargo space, accommodating a significant amount of luggage. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured different tailgate options, from manual to hands-free power operation. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional gear. The CR-V's interior was designed to comfortably fit five passengers and their belongings, making it a versatile choice for families.

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

In the 2021 Honda CR-V, a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system was standard, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had varying audio setups, while the Touring trim featured a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. The EX-L trim and above included Sirius XM and HD radio, with satellite navigation available on the Touring and Black Edition trims. Charging ports were abundant, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin, and a wireless phone charger was introduced in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered advanced safety features through the Intelligent Drive Package, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, dynamic cruise control, and lane departure warning. Parking sensors and hands-free parking assist were part of the Premium Plus Package, though the sensors were noted to be overly sensitive.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. While it didn't achieve the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating due to headlight and side crash test scores, it received a "Good" rating in the original side crash test. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system included a suite of standard safety features, such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring was standard on the Sport trim and above.