2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

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 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe embraced its heritage with familiar styling elements, including the iconic seven-slot grille. The latest generation blended past and present, with active shutters for improved aerodynamics and a forward rake reminiscent of the Wagoneer. The Grand Cherokee 4xe was available as a two-row, five-passenger SUV, with trim levels including the base 4xe, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. The Overland trim, in particular, offered a luxurious interior with leather seats, wood and metal accents, and bronze contrast stitching. However, the presence of hard plastic materials in the interior raised concerns about durability and noise over time.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. 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+, but even in Comfort mode, the engine provided ample power. The AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S variants offered more potent powertrains, with the latter boasting a twin-turbo V8 engine producing 503 horsepower.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.0-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with a 400-volt, 17-kWh battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the output of the company's 5.7-litre V8 engine. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered a total driving range of 719 kilometres, with a 42-kilometre all-electric range. The vehicle featured E Select powertrain modes, including Hybrid, Electric, and eSave, allowing drivers to optimize efficiency. The Grand Cherokee 4xe also boasted two off-road 4x4 systems, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 1,600 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced this to 1,400 litres. The GLC provided decent rear-seat space, with ample legroom and headroom in the SUV variant. The Coupe's low roofline, however, compromised headroom. The GLC's interior featured a well-designed centre console and deep door pockets for storage.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, while not available as a three-row model, offered generous space for passengers. Folding the second row of seats expanded cargo space from 1,067 litres to 2,004 litres. The Grand Cherokee 4xe's air suspension allowed for quick adjustments, facilitating loading and unloading. The vehicle's interior was comfortable, with ample head and legroom for passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the MBUX infotainment system, with a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen and a touch controller. The system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller 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 also included.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, an Android-powered interface with customization options. The My Pages feature allowed for personalized screen layouts. The Grand Cherokee 4xe included a 10.1-inch touchscreen front-passenger display, a 10.25-inch digital driver information display, and optional dual rear-seat entertainment screens. The McIntosh stereo system, available on higher trims, was a standout feature.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered advanced safety features through the Intelligent Drive Package, including 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, though the sensors were noted to be overly sensitive.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The vehicle also featured a 360-degree surround-view camera, standard on all trims except the Trailhawk. The NHTSA awarded the Grand Cherokee a five-star safety rating.