2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a timeless aesthetic, characterized by soft curves and rounded edges, which set it apart from the more aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries. The GLC's design language, with its 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 a masterpiece of automotive design, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach that elevated the interior to an art form. The GLC Coupe, while visually sharp, sacrificed some cargo space for its sleek profile.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood, paying homage to its original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro elements, the Defender's design was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners and recessed LED headlights. The interior of the Defender emphasized its rugged character, featuring a mix of leather and suede upholstery, exposed screws, and bare metal, creating a unique look that was both functional and stylish. The Defender's design allowed for generous headroom and legroom, providing a comfortable driving position with excellent visibility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered a balanced driving experience, with precise steering and a responsive powertrain, even in its default Comfort mode. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S models provided 385 hp and 503 hp, respectively, with performance akin to sports cars.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new V8 engine, producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, propelled the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The Defender's suspension absorbed bumps well, and its boxy shape was less susceptible to crosswinds. Off-road, the Defender excelled with its 4WD system, good approach and departure angles, and impressive ground clearance.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 550 litres with them up. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. The GLC's interior was well-utilized, with deep door pockets and a retractable wood panel for the cupholders. Rear-seat space was decent, with ample legroom and headroom, although the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, with the Defender 90 offering limited cargo space due to its two-door design. The four-door Defender 110 provided more versatility, with up to 1,875 litres of cargo space in two-row configurations. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. The Defender also offered optional roof racks and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC's Premium Package included the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, centre console touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, with both touch and controller options, and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel featured touch-sensitive pads for navigating the digital instrument panel and infotainment screen.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered advanced safety features through the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package, including 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.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist tech like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.