2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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 automotive masterpiece, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated its design to an art form. The interior was the benchmark for compact luxury SUV cabins, offering a blend of elegance and functionality.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the same design from the regular Atlas but with a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch. This design choice gave it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, appeared tacky. The interior followed VW's minimalist design, which was functional but let down by subpar materials. Despite leather upholstery and contrast stitching, the interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics that were prone to smudges. The choice of multiple dark colours didn't provide a welcoming feel, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. It offered a range of drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, though the default Comfort mode provided ample power for most situations. The AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S variants offered more potent powertrains, with the latter boasting a twin-turbo V8 engine producing 503 hp, delivering sports car-like performance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided livelier acceleration but lacked midrange power, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was among the worst in modern crossovers, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin let in significant wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport's handling was truck-like, with body roll and loose steering.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 550 litres with the seats up. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. The GLC provided decent rear-seat space, with adequate legroom and headroom in the SUV variant, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom. The interior featured a well-utilized space with a centre console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted competitive interior space, with front and rear legroom near the top of its class. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The interior included various storage options, such as a centre console, cupholders, and a cubbyhole for charge ports.

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, and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the base trim and the MIB3 with an 8-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. The Execline trim featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

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, though the sensors were overly sensitive and could be distracting.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. It received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with four-star ratings for frontal and rollover crash tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Cross Sport also had unique features like the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.