2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Porsche Macan

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 a high standard for compact luxury SUV cabins.

In contrast, the 2022 Porsche Macan retained much of its original design from its 2015 debut, with subtle updates over the years. The 2022 model featured a refreshed exterior with larger standard wheels and a new centre console with haptic touch controls. The Macan's design conveyed a sporty, athletic look, with a sloping clamshell hood and rakish roofline. Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, with a flat and wide dashboard and a centre console housing most secondary controls. The cabin, adorned with red leather and metallic accents, exuded an upscale, sporty feel, though the rear seats were notably cramped.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came 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 a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The GLC offered a balanced driving experience, with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. While not overly sporty, the GLC provided ample power and a responsive driving experience. For those seeking more performance, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S offered significantly more power, with 385 hp and 503 hp, respectively.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the base Macan and Macan T, delivering 261 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Macan S featured a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6, producing 375 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. The Macan GTS inherited the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 from the previous Macan Turbo, with 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. All Macans featured a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable all-wheel-drive system. The Macan S offered a thrilling driving experience, with precise steering, adaptive damping, and impressive grip, though the brake pedal required more effort than expected.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, dropping to 550 litres with the seats up. The GLC Coupe's fastback design reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. The GLC provided ample storage options, with a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with plenty of legroom and headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, while sporty, offered comfort for the driver and front-seat passenger, with optional 14-way power-adjustable seats. However, the rear seats were cramped, especially for taller passengers. The Macan's redesigned centre console featured haptic touch controls, though it required looking away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 488 litres behind the back seat, expandable to 1,503 litres with the rear seats folded.

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 both touch and controller options, and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel featured touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, known as Porsche Communication Management (PCM). It included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. The system was intuitive, though the voice recognition was less reliable than competitors. The Macan offered stereo volume and tuning controls below the screen, with climate control separate from the touchscreen.

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.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included lane-departure warning and a reversing camera as standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Macan's parking features, including Park Assist, performed well, though more advanced driving assistance tech was limited.