2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Lexus RX

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 and 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 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 offering a sharp look at the expense of cargo space.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX continued to impress with its modern and sporty design, featuring razor-sharp character lines and angular features that stopped just short of excessive. The RX's aggressive exterior styling set it apart from its midsize luxury crossover competitors. The F Sport models added a touch of athleticism with 20-inch wheels, unique front fascia, and sporty accents. Inside, the RX maintained a luxury appeal, with F Sport models adding sporty elements like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. However, the centre stack felt dated, and the abundance of buttons detracted from the overall design. Despite these drawbacks, the RX offered a high-quality feel and a comfortable cabin.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered various drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, but even in Comfort mode, the engine provided ample power. The steering was precise, and the GLC struck a balance between refinement and responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S offered twin-turbocharged V6 and V8 engines, respectively, with up to 503 horsepower.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added electric motors for a combined output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lack of engine growl and hesitant acceleration. The F Sport models included adaptive variable suspension and additional drive modes, but the differences between Normal and Sport/Sport+ modes were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel efficiency varied, with the RX 350 using 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 7.9 L/100 km.

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 design 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 Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom, making the SUV the preferred choice for practicality. The GLC's interior featured a well-designed centre console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders, maximizing interior space.

The 2022 Lexus RX had 2,826 litres of passenger volume in the standard two-row model, comfortably accommodating four adults. The three-row L models offered limited space for anything beyond groceries. Cargo space in the standard RX was 453 litres behind the second row, expanding to 923 litres with the seats folded. The three-row version provided 210 litres with all seats up, increasing to 1,657 litres with both back rows down. The RX's interior featured thoughtful touches like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net, but the rear seats didn't fold completely flat, and the load-in height was high.

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

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were moved closer to the driver but remained ergonomically challenging. The design created access issues, and the touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start and vehicle settings customization.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package for advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. 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 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but received four stars from the NHTSA.