2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was a testament to Volvo's rebirth under Geely Holding Group's ownership. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture platform, the XC60 shared its elegant, tailored design with other Volvo models, featuring short overhangs and an agile form. The upright grille with the iconic iron mark logo and Thor's hammer-shaped LED headlights added a distinct Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60's cabin exuded Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen was a nod to Volvo's early adoption of large displays, and the attention to detail in the cabin, from the HVAC vents to the harmonious textures and colours, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, while still maintaining a modern aggression with its menacing LED headlights. The GLC's long hood and wide grille gave it a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. Inside, the GLC's cabin was an automotive work of art, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach. The interior aesthetic set a high bar for compact luxury SUV cabins, with the GLC's conventional SUV format and crossover "coupe" body style offering different cargo space options. The GLC 300 came standard with features like synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and the MBUX infotainment system, while higher trims offered more potent powertrains and additional luxury features.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 model increased output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque with the addition of a supercharger. The T8 models, including the top-of-the-line T8 Polestar Engineered, combined a turbocharged and supercharged engine with an 87-hp electric motor, delivering a combined 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models were plug-in hybrids, offering up to 31 kilometres of electric-only driving. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided a solid and secure driving experience, with a serene cabin and smooth suspension. Fuel consumption figures ranged from 11.1 L/100 km city to 9.3 L/100 km combined for the T8 PHEV.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC offered steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, providing a balance of refined and responsive performance. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S models offered twin-turbocharged V6 and V8 engines, respectively, with the latter producing 503 hp. The GLC's powertrain was generally responsive, with precise steering and confident handling.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was designed for comfort and style, with highly adjustable front seats and a heating system capable of handling sub-freezing temperatures. The XC60's interior featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, with 613 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The XC60 was also rated to tow up to 1,587 kilograms.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered 550 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,600 litres with them folded in the conventional SUV format. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 500 and 1,400 litres, respectively. The GLC's interior made good use of space, with a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with the SUV offering more headroom than the Coupe.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, with a tablet-style touchpad interface that divided the screen into function quadrants. The system supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system providing exceptional audio quality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX infotainment system, part of the Premium Package, included a 10.25-inch centre touchscreen, a centre console touch controller, and an advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, with touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel for navigating the digital instrument panel and main infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also included, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps could be cumbersome.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and more. Volvo's semi-autonomous driving system, Pilot Assist, was available, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 180 km/h for safety.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the $2,700 Intelligent Drive Package for its best safety tech, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and more. Parking sensors and hands-free parking assist were part of the Premium Plus Package, though the sensors were found to be overly sensitive.