2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to timeless design, eschewing the aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries for a more classic aesthetic. Its exterior featured soft curves and rounded edges, complemented by menacing LED headlights that added a touch of modern aggression. The long hood and wide grille gave the GLC 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 with rounded edges. 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 Toyota 4Runner embraced its rugged roots, maintaining a design that harkened back to the SUV craze of the 1980s. Its boxy proportions, high ride height, and sharply angled front bumper were all about function over form, designed to tackle off-road obstacles with ease. Inside, the 4Runner's cabin was a reminder of its last full redesign in 2009, with a dash layout that felt dated. However, it offered practicality with features like a power-sliding rear window and ample cargo space. The 4Runner's design was unapologetically utilitarian, appealing to those who valued adventure and off-road capability.

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. The GLC offered a range of drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, but even in Comfort mode, the turbocharged engine provided ample power. The steering was soft yet precise, and the GLC struck a balance between refinement and responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 featured a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC 63 S boasted a twin-turbo V8 with 503 horsepower, delivering sports car-like performance.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a single engine option, a 4.0-litre V6 producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD with low range. While the V6 was reliable, it felt underwhelming in most driving situations. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome, with noticeable body roll, but it excelled off-road, where its suspension absorbed rough terrain effortlessly. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models included features like Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms, more than most car-based crossovers.

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 profile reduced these figures to 1,400 and 500 litres, respectively. The GLC's interior was well-designed, with a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets for storage. Rear-seat space was adequate, with plenty of headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline compromised headroom. The GLC made efficient use of its interior space, ranking mid-pack among compact luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner provided a maximum of 2,540 litres of cargo capacity in the two-row version, with 1,337 litres behind the second row. The three-row model offered slightly less space, with 2,514 litres maximum and 1,311 litres behind the second row. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window for easy access. While not a masterclass in cabin packaging, the 4Runner offered ample space for gear, though it could be more efficient given its age.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen, touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller options for navigation. 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 Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, surrounded by hard buttons and dials for easy operation. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple USB ports. While not the most advanced system, it covered the tech basics and relied on tactile controls, ideal for off-road driving. Navigation and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system were available as upgrades.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered advanced safety features through the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, dynamic cruise control, and lane departure warning. Parking sensors and hands-free parking assist were part of the Premium Plus Package, though the sensors were overly sensitive and could be distracting.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, with standard forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The 4Runner earned four out of five stars for frontal and side-impact testing from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with three stars for rollover testing. It was backed by a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.