2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, as Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, further enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a stronger, more assertive look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights added to its modern appeal, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. The 20-inch alloy wheels, standard across the lineup in Canada, contributed to its premium feel, especially in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim with its new multi-spoke design. The interior of the Palisade was equally impressive, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim offering premium Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof. The seating configurations allowed for either seven or eight passengers, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC, particularly the GLC 300, was redesigned, sharing a platform with the new C-Class sedan. Despite the redesign, the changes were subtle, with the most noticeable being the narrower taillights. The GLC maintained its classy and timeless design, though some might have wished for more personality to distinguish it from its predecessor. The interior received a significant makeover, featuring a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a tablet-like instrument panel, offering a modern and high-tech feel. The GLC Coupe models, however, carried over from the previous year, retaining their first-generation design. Overall, the GLC continued to exude traditional luxury, appealing to those who preferred a more classic approach.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive within its class, offering more power than the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly more than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard paddle shifters, provided smooth gear changes. In Canada, the all-wheel-drive system was standard, and the HTRAC system proved capable during off-road tests. The Palisade's towing capacity was impressive, able to haul up to 2,268 kilograms, with a dedicated Tow Mode optimizing gear shifts. Fuel economy was reasonable, with consumption rates of 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured 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. The 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel-drive were standard in Canada. The GLC 300 offered smooth acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 6.2 seconds. While not as lively as some competitors, it provided ample power for highway merging and passing. The brake pedal was soft but effective, and the suspension prioritized comfort over sporty handling. The GLC Coupe retained its older engine, with the AMG GLC 43 Coupe offering a sportier option with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, producing 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered generous interior space, comfortably seating seven or eight passengers. It provided 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third, surpassing the Toyota Highlander. The passenger volume was 4,397 litres, and the cargo space was ample, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,297 litres behind the second, and 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded. The Palisade featured HVAC vents in all three rows and numerous cupholders, ensuring passenger comfort. The centre console was practical, with a phone holder and space for a bag, while the controls were intuitive and user-friendly.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided comfortable front seats with ample adjustment options and firm cushioning. 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 options, though the piano black lid of the centre console attracted dust and fingerprints. The rear seats accommodated average adults comfortably, though headroom was limited for taller passengers. The GLC's cargo capacity was 620 litres, smaller than some rivals, but adequate for most needs. The GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo space to 500 litres and affected rear headroom.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade boasted a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, standard across the lineup. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims featured a premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Palisade supported up to two Bluetooth connections simultaneously and offered multiple USB charging ports. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a wireless charger, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a colour head-up display. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system was standard, providing remote accessibility and management features, including remote start presets and seat heating or cooling.

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 more distracting to use. The MBUX infotainment system offered 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 GLC Coupe retained the older layout and system, with a less practical body style.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It came with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard, along with adaptive cruise control. Highway Driving Assist I and II were available on higher trims, and a full-display digital rearview mirror was offered on the Ultimate Calligraphy. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard, with rain-sensing wipers on the Ultimate Calligraphy.

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 other advanced features. The Coupe included cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view camera. The adaptive cruise control was praised for its smooth operation, and false alarms were rare.