2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid presented a bold and distinctive design that required an acclimation period for some. Its blunt and bulbous nose, along with black windshield pillars, created an impression of visual weight over the front wheels. The swollen haunches balanced the styling, but the cartoonishly-flared quarter panels could overwhelm the design. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered roomy and supportive accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited legroom and headroom, making it unsuitable for adults. Storage was plentiful, but the design of the dashboard shelf and centre armrest storage bin seemed less accommodating than previous models.

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 the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The GLC offered a range of drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor their experience. Despite occasional lag from the inline-4 engine, the GLC provided a responsive and refined driving experience, with precise steering and confident handling. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S offered twin-turbocharged V6 and V8 engines, respectively, delivering up to 503 horsepower.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an "E-CVT" transmission, producing a total output of 243 horsepower. This setup prioritized fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 6.7 L/100 km. While the Highlander Hybrid excelled in efficiency, it lacked the driving excitement of its predecessor. The powertrain sounded strained under hard acceleration, and the steering felt lifeless. The regenerative brakes were an improvement, but the ride and handling were marred by unwanted body movement. On smooth roads, the Highlander Hybrid demonstrated capable handling, but on uneven surfaces, it struggled to maintain composure.

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

In comparison, the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum provided comfortable accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated steering wheel. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight, but the narrow cabin made it uncomfortable for three adults. The third-row seat was cramped and lacked support, making it unsuitable for adults. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,387 litres. However, the storage design was less accommodating than previous models, with a wireless smartphone charger blocking access to the centre armrest storage bin.

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

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large stereo volume and tuning knobs and shortcut buttons for quick access to key functions. The voice recognition system worked well, but did not control climate settings. The JBL sound system offered powerful audio, but sound quality varied depending on music type. The Highlander also featured Driver Easy Speak technology and a video rearview mirror for improved visibility.

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

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure with steering assist. The system also featured intersection support and emergency steering assistance. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it earned four-star ratings for frontal-impact crash tests.