2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to timeless design, eschewing the aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries. With its soft curves and rounded edges, the GLC maintained a modern yet classic aesthetic, highlighted by its menacing LED headlights. 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 floating centre touchscreen and digital instrument panel were seamlessly integrated, setting a high standard for compact luxury SUV interiors.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a more subdued exterior in its base GLS 450 form, avoiding the flashy chrome and gaudy grilles of its competitors. However, the AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions provided options for those seeking more visual drama, with features like flared wheel arches and chrome accents. Inside, the GLS maintained a luxurious feel with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well integrated into the upright dashboard, providing a high-quality yet understated interior experience. Despite its luxury, the GLS's suspension left something to be desired, with poor body control over bumps and corners.

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. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive, providing a responsive and refined driving experience. The GLC offered various drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the performance to their preferences. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S models offered twin-turbocharged V6 and V8 engines, delivering 385 and 503 horsepower, respectively, with performance akin to sports cars.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, producing 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft from the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. This setup provided ample power for the large SUV, with smooth and balanced performance. The GLS also offered a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in the GLS 580, AMG GLS 63, and Maybach GLS 600 models, with up to 603 horsepower in the AMG version. Despite its power, the GLS's air suspension struggled with body control, impacting ride comfort. The GLS 450 boasted a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms, though some competitors offered more.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided 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, making it less practical than the conventional SUV. The GLC's interior was well-utilized, with ample storage options and decent rear-seat space, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom. The GLC's interior space was competitive, though not class-leading, with the BMW X3 offering more cargo capacity.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring captain's chairs. The second-row seats could slide and fold for third-row access, with the bench seat offering adjustable legroom. The GLS provided 355 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 2,400 litres with the second and third rows folded. While cargo space was slightly behind larger competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, the GLS offered convenient features like power-folding seats and a power tailgate. However, some ergonomic issues, such as the touchscreen's reach and small sun visors, detracted from its practicality.

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 for navigating menus. The steering wheel included touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps could be cumbersome.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS also utilized the MBUX system, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, navigation, and voice recognition. The voice recognition system was particularly effective, allowing for hands-free operation. However, the touchpad controller was overly sensitive, making it difficult to use. The GLS featured augmented-reality navigation, though the system occasionally suggested inefficient routes, undermining confidence in its reliability.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package for 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, though the sensors were overly sensitive, causing distractions.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and advanced driver-assistance systems were optional. The GLS also included Pre Safe, which prepared the vehicle for a potential collision. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time.