2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Honda Passport

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 edge with its menacing LED headlights, it avoided the aggressive styling 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 known for its minimalist approach, and the GLC's interior set the standard for compact luxury SUV cabins.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport adopted a more rugged look, sharing its platform with the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. The Passport's new nose design aimed to give it a tougher appearance, and it was available in three trim levels: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, was designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, although it was more about aesthetics than actual capability. The Passport's interior was spacious, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim. The Passport's large doors and low step-in height made it easy to access, and its generous cargo space was a standout feature.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered a range of drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, but even in Comfort mode, the engine provided ample power. 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 horsepower.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The V6 was smooth and responsive, and the Passport's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system provided mechanical torque vectoring. While the Passport excelled on paved roads, its off-road capabilities were limited. The SUV's brakes, however, were a concern, as they could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the GLC Coupe's fastback design reduced this to 1,400 litres. The GLC's interior was well-designed, with ample storage options and comfortable rear-seat space. The Coupe's low roofline, however, compromised headroom.

The 2022 Honda Passport excelled in interior space, with 1,430 litres of cargo volume behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the seats folded. The Passport's interior was comfortable, with large, supportive seats and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The SUV's storage solutions were plentiful, and its power liftgate made accessing the cargo area easy.

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, with touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel for customization. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, although switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps could be cumbersome.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim offered a navigation system and premium audio. The system was functional but lacked advanced features, and the navigation system was clunky compared to Apple CarPlay.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the Intelligent Drive Package for advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The parking sensors were overly sensitive, leading to false positives.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist were intrusive, and the adaptive cruise control lacked refinement. The Passport received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, although it fell short in some areas.