2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to the brand's commitment to a timeless aesthetic, characterized by soft curves and rounded edges. It managed to balance modern aggression with its menacing LED headlights, yet maintained a more refined look compared to some of its 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 was a benchmark for compact luxury SUV cabins.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe retained the iconic Wrangler design, with signature elements like the exterior-mounted spare tire, removable doors, rounded headlights, and seven-slot grille. The plug-in hybrid version was almost indistinguishable from its gas-powered siblings, save for the blue decals, badging, and charger port. Inside, the Wrangler 4xe offered a rugged yet functional interior, with Dark Saddle brown leather seats and black leather inserts. While the interior quality was consistent across the lineup, the Wrangler's design prioritized off-road capability and durability over luxury, maintaining its reputation as a true off-road vehicle.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was 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 a range of drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. Despite its performance features, the GLC was more about refined power delivery than outright sportiness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S offered twin-turbocharged V6 and V8 engines, producing 385 and 503 horsepower, respectively.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering a total system output of 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This setup was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler 4xe retained its trail-rated status, featuring a Selec-trac or Rock-trac transfer case, solid axles, and impressive off-road capabilities, including up to 76 cm of water fording. The plug-in hybrid system offered an electric-only range of 35 kilometres, with modes to optimize battery usage. The Wrangler 4xe provided a unique blend of electric efficiency and off-road prowess, though it wasn't the quietest or best-handling vehicle for everyday driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 550 litres with them upright. 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, making efficient use of space. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and headroom, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom slightly.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed to accommodate its battery pack under the rear seats, minimizing space loss. The Sahara grades offered 1,023 mm of headroom and 970 mm of legroom, while the Rubicon's soft-top roof provided even more headroom. Cargo capacity was slightly reduced compared to gas-only Wranglers, with 784 litres available with the seats up and 1,908 litres with them folded. Despite these compromises, the Wrangler 4xe remained practical for outdoor adventures. Its manageable width and included home charging cable added to its convenience, while the optional power-retracting roof enhanced the open-air experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, touch controller, and advanced voice control. This system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller options for navigating menus. The steering wheel housed touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required some navigation. Overall, the system was user-friendly and well-integrated.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe came with Uconnect 4C and navigation on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Uconnect was known for its intuitive interface, complemented by hard buttons and dials for essential functions. The system included off-road pages and Hybrid Electric Pages for efficiency settings. The instrument cluster featured a mix of traditional gauges and a 7-inch colour display for range and performance information. While lacking some advanced tech features, the Wrangler 4xe's infotainment system was practical and easy to use.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered advanced safety features through the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. 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.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe shared its safety ratings with other Wranglers, receiving a Good rating in most IIHS tests but a Marginal rating in the driver's side small overlap front test. The NHTSA rated it four stars for front crash tests and three stars for rollover resistance. Safety features like blind spot monitoring and rear park assist were standard on the Unlimited Sahara High Altitude but optional on other grades. The Advanced Safety Group added features like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning.