2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes, maintaining its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood reminiscent of the original version. The option for a white contrasting roof and steel wheels added a retro touch. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender's design was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender compared to its predecessor resulted in more interior space and better ergonomics, offering generous headroom and legroom, and a comfortable driving position with good visibility. The interior design emphasized the Defender's rugged character, featuring a mix of leather and suede upholstery, bare metal, and exposed screws, which made it more practical for off-road adventures without the worry of damaging a luxurious interior.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC, while redesigned, maintained a familiar look that could easily be mistaken for its predecessor, with the most noticeable change being the narrower taillights. This continuity in design was not necessarily negative, as the previous GLC had led the small luxury SUV class for years with its timeless and classy styling. The new GLC's interior, however, received a significant update, featuring a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a tablet-like instrument panel, offering a modern and high-tech feel. The materials used were of excellent quality, and the construction was solid, with a simpler and cleaner cockpit design compared to its rivals. The GLC Coupe models, although similar in appearance to the standard GLC, had a coupe-like roofline that set them apart, and their interiors, though from the first generation, still held usability advantages.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a mid-level 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new V8 engine, delivering 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 model included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. It also boasted a 3,500-kilogram towing capacity and impressive off-road features like the Terrain Response 2 system and All-Terrain Progress Control.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 9-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic all-wheel drive in Canada. The GLC 300 accelerated smoothly, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 6.2 seconds, providing adequate power for highway merging and passing. The brake pedal was soft but effective, and the suspension prioritized comfort over sporty handling, delivering a smooth ride with a quiet cabin. The GLC Coupe retained its older four-cylinder turbo engine with similar performance, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe offered a sportier option with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, producing 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 100 km/h in about 4.7 seconds. The AMG model featured a sport-tuned suspension and exhaust for a more dynamic driving experience.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatility with its 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access in the two-door Defender 90. The four-door Defender 110 provided more options, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with three-row models offering 160 litres with all seats in place, 743 litres with the third row folded, and 1,826 litres with the second row folded. Two-row versions had 786 litres with the rear seats up and 1,875 litres with them folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin, optional refrigeration, and an optional basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured front seats with ample adjustment options, firm cushioning, and well-shaped design for long-distance comfort. The synthetic leather upholstery was convincingly grained, with real leather available for a smoother finish. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 64-colour ambient lighting system. The GLC offered sufficient storage with a large centre console bin, wireless charging pad, and well-sized door pockets. The standard GLC provided 620 litres of cargo space, smaller than some rivals, but adequate for most needs. The rear seats folded flat for larger items, and the GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo capacity to 500 litres, affecting rear headroom.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and menu layouts, though the screen required a firm touch to operate. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC boasted a new interior layout with an 11.9-inch touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and immediate responses. However, its lower placement on the dash made it more distracting to use. The MBUX infotainment system featured excellent voice recognition, though it interrupted audio playback. The system lacked physical buttons, making 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 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring, with optional adaptive cruise control. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available, which was common for luxury brands.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's crash-test results were not yet available, but the previous model received high ratings. 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 more. The Coupe shared similar safety features, with additional cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view camera.