2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

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 the interior to an art form. The interior was the benchmark for compact luxury SUV cabins, with features like synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a fully digital instrument panel.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, offered a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and hockey-stick character lines. The Touring trim level added a touch of sophistication with dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. Inside, the Odyssey provided a classic open-concept design with quality leather upholstery and a low console between the front seats. The interior was spacious, with plenty of storage options and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats and comfortable third-row seating made it a practical choice for families, offering ample legroom and cargo space.

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 various drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor their driving experience. While the GLC was not overly sporty, it provided a responsive and refined driving experience, with precise steering and confident handling. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S offered twin-turbocharged V6 and V8 engines, delivering 385 and 503 horsepower, respectively.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive or an electrified powertrain. It had a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with quick acceleration and responsive handling. However, its brakes tended to heat up during downhill driving, leading to pedal vibration and audible grumbling. Despite this, the Odyssey remained a delightful vehicle to drive, offering a comfortable and composed ride.

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 profile reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. The GLC provided decent rear-seat space, with ample legroom and headroom in the SUV variant. The interior featured a well-designed centre console and deep door pockets for storage, making efficient use of space.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and versatility. It offered 929 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seat, which could be expanded to 2,452 litres by folding the third-row seats. Removing the second-row seats provided a massive 3,984 litres of cargo space. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seats were comfortable for adults. The interior featured quality leather upholstery, supportive seats, and numerous storage options, making it an ideal choice for families.

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. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, a rear entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display, and an 11-speaker premium audio system. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a small screen and limited voice command capabilities. A major upgrade was needed to keep up with competitors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package to access 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 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Odyssey also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with occasional false warnings and abrupt responses. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.