2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to timeless design, eschewing the aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries for a more classic aesthetic. Its exterior featured soft curves and rounded edges, complemented by menacing LED headlights that added a touch of modern aggression. The long hood and wide grille gave the GLC 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 the interior to an art form. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover "coupe" body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sharper look.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a practical choice for those needing a family-friendly SUV with a touch of style. It featured a light restyle for the model year, with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated colour choices. The Traverse RS trim, in particular, stood out with its blacked-out trim and dark grey 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Traverse RS offered a comfortable and spacious cabin with black leather upholstery and red contrast stitching. The interior was logically laid out, with easy-to-use controls and a focus on practicality. The Traverse's design demonstrated a level of styling restraint that was becoming rare in the SUV landscape.

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. While the GLC 300 was not 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 significantly more power, with 385 and 503 horsepower, respectively.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, came with a single engine option: a 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse offered a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped and featured various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and the SUV delivered a pleasant ride quality, absorbing smaller road imperfections with ease. However, the Traverse's handling was not as precise as the GLC's, and it exhibited more road and wind noise at highway speeds.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced this to 1,400 litres. With the rear seats up, the GLC provided 550 litres of cargo space, and the Coupe offered 500 litres. The GLC's interior was well-designed, with ample storage options, including a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with plenty of legroom and headroom in the SUV, although the Coupe's low roofline reduced headroom.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse excelled in interior space, offering generous legroom, headroom, and foot room for second-row passengers. The RS trim featured captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven, but providing a wide pass-through for easier access to the third row. The Traverse's cargo space was impressive, with 651 litres behind the third row, 1,637 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,781 litres. The Traverse also offered numerous storage compartments, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, offering an intuitive interface with both touch and voice controls. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus. The GLC's steering wheel featured touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LS model, while other trims received an 8-inch high-definition display. The system offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and access to connected services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Traverse's voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, reducing frustration when using the infotainment system. The RS trim also featured a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert system, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the purchase of the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package to access its best safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. The Premium Plus Package added parking sensors and hands-free parking assist, although the sensors were overly sensitive and could be distracting.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS in most categories but was rated Acceptable in the new side impact test and Poor for its LED headlights and seatbelt reminders.