2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Subaru Outback

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 moving towards larger screens and a minimalist approach, but the GLC's interior design set a high standard for compact luxury SUV cabins.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback retained a familiar and comfortable design, reminiscent of older models. While the base trim featured two 7-inch touchscreens, higher trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outback's interior quality had improved significantly, with substantial window switches, dash padding, and surface materials. The Outdoor XT trim featured water-resistant synthetic upholstery with lime green contrast stitching, adding a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback's styling was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding for protection. It was essentially a lifted wagon, offering a practical alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

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+, but even in Comfort mode, the engine provided ample power. The steering was soft yet precise, and the GLC balanced refinement with responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 featured a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC 63 S boasted a twin-turbo V8 with 503 horsepower, offering sports car-like performance.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine was a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), this engine struggled with the Outback's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. However, the XT trims offered a 2.4-litre turbocharged flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's handling was more about comfort than speed, with a focus on long-distance cruising. Its electronically-variable all-wheel drive system was proactive, providing excellent off-road capability, especially with the X-Mode feature for challenging conditions.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 550 litres with them up. The GLC Coupe's fastback design reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. The GLC's interior was well-utilized, with a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with ample legroom and headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom.

The 2021 Subaru Outback excelled in cargo space, offering 2,144 litres with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with no intrusive elements. The Outback provided ample headroom and legroom in all seating positions, with excellent outward visibility. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front centre console. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, allowing for easy installation of roof racks.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, centre console touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller options. The steering wheel had 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.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like adaptive cruise control, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight was standard, providing adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. The system relied on forward-looking cameras, which could be less effective in certain conditions compared to radar-based systems.

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

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver and passenger airbags. Blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking were available from the Touring trim. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test.