2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Honda Passport adopted a familiar design, closely resembling the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck from the doors forward. This similarity was due to the shared vehicle platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV. The Passport was essentially a shorter version of the Pilot, minus the third-row seating, and featured a distinct styling. Honda's design updates aimed to give the Passport a more rugged appearance, especially with the introduction of the TrailSport trim, which added unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates to enhance its SUV look.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was redesigned, sharing its platform with the new C-Class sedan. Despite being an all-new model, the GLC 300 retained a similar appearance to its predecessor, with the most noticeable change being the narrower taillights. The GLC's design was timeless, maintaining its classy and substantive styling. The interior received a significant update, featuring a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a modern, high-tech design. The GLC Coupe models, however, carried over from the previous year, with a coupe-like roofline that distinguished them from the standard GLC 300.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The V6 engine was smooth and felt more powerful than its ratings suggested. The Passport's Intelligent Variable Torque Management Four (i-VTM4) system provided mechanical torque vectoring, delivering up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. The Passport excelled on roads and freeways, offering satisfying acceleration, a firm ride, and athletic handling. However, its brakes could heat up and vibrate on mountain descents, which was a concern given its 2,268-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It was equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive in Canada. The GLC 300 offered smooth acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 6.2 seconds. The brake pedal was soft but effective, and the suspension prioritized comfort over sporty handling. The GLC 300 delivered a smooth ride with a nearly silent cabin. The GLC Coupe models continued with the older four-cylinder turbo engine, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, offering a sportier driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Passport provided easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The interior featured large, comfortable seats with leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim offered ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was spacious, with ample room for passengers and generous storage options. Cargo space was impressive, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and up to 2,854 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered adjustable front seats with firm cushioning and synthetic leather upholstery. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, along with a 64-colour ambient lighting system. The GLC provided ample space for front passengers, while rear seats accommodated average adults comfortably. Cargo capacity was 620 litres behind the rear seats, slightly smaller than some rivals, but still adequate. The GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo capacity to 500 litres and affected rear headroom.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured a navigation system, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and HondaLink connected services. The system was functional but lacked advanced features, and the navigation system was clunky. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base Sport trim.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured an 11.9-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and immediate responses. However, its lower placement on the dash made it distracting to use. The MBUX infotainment system offered excellent voice recognition, but the lack of physical buttons made adjustments more challenging. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system for audio enthusiasts.

The 2022 Honda Passport came with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories but had a four-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's crash-test results were not yet available, but the previous GLC received top ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive headlights. The optional Intelligent Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other advanced features. The GLC Coupe shared similar safety features.