2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a conservative yet timeless design, characterized by its creased and symmetrical lines. This approach, while not overly emotive, was appreciated for its simplicity and minimalism, ensuring the vehicle aged gracefully. The refreshed model featured new front styling that aligned it with Volkswagen’s larger Atlas models, a restyled grille with the new VW logo, and standard LED headlights. The Tiguan was available in four trim levels in Canada, all with standard 4Motion AWD, and offered a range of prices from $33,395 to $43,395. The R-Line models boasted a sportier look, with the Comfortline R-Line Black Edition featuring a trendy blacked-out appearance. Inside, the Tiguan Highline R-Line offered a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, new technology, and ambient lighting, though the hard plastic in the lower half of the cabin hinted at its mass-market status.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a more timeless aesthetic with its soft curves and rounded edges, while still maintaining a modern aggression through its menacing LED headlights. The GLC’s design language was reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. The interior was a masterpiece of automotive design, with a flowing dash and a floating centre touchscreen. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover “coupe” body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sharper look. Standard features on the GLC 300 included 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate, while the interior boasted synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and the MBUX infotainment system. The AMG variants offered more potent powertrains and performance upgrades.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan retained its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion AWD system, which could decouple the rear axle to save fuel. The Tiguan offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual driving modes, along with Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad settings. Despite its capabilities, the Tiguan’s engine exhibited some turbo lag, and its performance was more focused on fuel efficiency, achieving a combined driving average of 9.5 L/100 km. The Tiguan’s ride and handling were nimble and responsive in normal driving situations, but it lacked the excitement for more spirited driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This power was channeled through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the 4MATIC AWD system. The GLC offered Dynamic Select with Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, providing a balance of refinement and responsiveness. The AMG GLC 43 and AMG GLC 63 S variants offered significantly more power, with the latter boasting a twin-turbo V8 producing 503 horsepower. The GLC’s steering was precise, and it handled higher-speed turns with confidence, making it a well-rounded performer.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan was notable for its spacious interior, comparable to smaller midsize SUVs. It offered an optional third row, though this compromised cargo space. The Highline R-Line trim featured comfortable leather seats with power adjustments, excellent outward visibility, and a panoramic sunroof. The second row provided ample headroom and legroom, accommodating adults and children alike. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,078 litres available in the two-row configuration. However, the switch to touch controls on the steering wheel and dashboard proved to be a challenge, as they were harder to use than traditional buttons.

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’s interior was well-utilized, with a decently sized centre console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was adequate, with no need to slide the seats forward for legroom. The Coupe’s low roofline did impact headroom, making the conventional SUV a more practical choice for most scenarios.

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan featured standard digital gauges, with the Highline R-Line offering a more advanced Digital Cockpit Pro system. The MIB3 infotainment system, available on most trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen, Car-Net connected services, and smartphone mirroring. The Highline R-Line added a redesigned navigation system and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. However, the MIB3’s natural voice recognition was disappointing, and the Park Assist system was standard on the Highline R-Line.

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

The 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan came with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, along with available Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assistance, while Emergency Assist could safely bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The 2021 Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model’s improvements were expected to enhance its safety credentials.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC required the Intelligent Drive Package for its best safety tech, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Premium Plus Package added parking sensors and hands-free parking assist. However, the parking sensors were overly sensitive, leading to false positives that could be distracting.