2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2024 Honda Passport

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV presented a blend of new and familiar elements. The GLC 300 was redesigned, sharing its platform with the revamped C-Class sedan, while the GLC Coupe models remained unchanged from the previous year. The most noticeable update was the narrower taillights, though the overall design retained the classic grille, roofline, and beltline, making it easily mistaken for the first-generation GLC. This continuity in design was not necessarily negative, as the GLC had led the small luxury SUV class for much of its production run, thanks to its timeless and classy styling. The interior of the new GLC received a significant makeover, featuring a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a tablet-like instrument panel, aligning with Mercedes' modern high-tech design approach. The materials quality and construction remained excellent, offering a simpler and cleaner cockpit design compared to rivals like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Lexus NX.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Passport maintained much of its previous design, despite Honda's recent updates across its lineup. The Passport, along with the Honda Ridgeline, had received some tweaks in 2022, such as a more upright grille and squared-off corners, but it still shared similarities with Honda’s previous-generation designs. The Passport's trim levels were straightforward, with the Sport, TrailSport, and Black Edition available in Canada, all featuring a power moonroof, identical touchscreens, and AWD. The TrailSport trim was the most rugged, equipped with all-terrain tires and standard roof rails and LED fog lights in Canada. However, the Passport TrailSport was more about appearance than off-road capability, with plastic skid plates and no recovery points. Inside, the Passport featured old-school physical controls and an 8-inch touchscreen, with black leather upholstery and orange contrast stitching in the TrailSport trim. The interior was simple and unassuming, with a focus on utility and storage space.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC was limited to the GLC 300 trim level, 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 4Matic AWD as standard in Canada. The GLC 300 offered smooth acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 6.2 seconds, which was average for its class. While it provided ample power for highway merging and passing, it wasn't as lively as the BMW X3's powertrain. The brake pedal was a bit soft, but effective, and the suspension favoured comfort over sporty handling, delivering a smooth ride with a nearly silent cabin. The GLC 4Matic Coupe continued with its older engine, offering similar performance, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, providing a sportier option with a firmer ride.

The 2024 Honda Passport, on the other hand, stuck with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport offered decent acceleration, though peak torque required higher RPMs. Fuel economy was rated at 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.8 on the highway, and 11.3 combined. The TrailSport trim featured mechanical changes for off-road driving, with wider tracks, 18-inch wheels, and a tuned suspension. All Passports came with Honda’s torque-vectoring iVTM4 AWD system and a traction-management system with various settings. The Passport's steering was well-balanced and accurate, with minimal play off-centre. Towing capacity maxed out at 2,268 kilograms, surpassing some rivals but falling short of others like the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered front seats with ample adjustment options, providing long-distance comfort with synthetic leather upholstery that mimicked genuine hides. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada, along with a 64-colour ambient lighting system. The GLC provided sufficient storage with a large centre console bin, cupholders, and well-sized door pockets, though the piano black lid attracted dust and fingerprints. The front offered plenty of space for taller passengers, while the rear seats accommodated average adults, with slightly limited headroom for taller occupants. The standard GLC had a cargo capacity of 620 litres, smaller than some rivals, but adequate for most needs. The GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo capacity to 500 litres and rear headroom by 35 millimetres.

The 2024 Honda Passport excelled in cargo space, offering 1,430 litres behind the rear seats, with additional underfloor storage. This capacity surpassed competitors like the Subaru Outback and Hyundai Santa Fe. With 60/40-split folding rear seats, cargo space expanded to 2,854 litres, with the folded seats sitting flush with the trunk floor for easy loading. The Passport comfortably accommodated five adults, with rear-seat legroom on par with much of the segment. The front featured a redesigned centre console bin, offering more storage but a less airy feel. Cupholders were abundant, with six available in the back seat alone.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured 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 included a capacitive-touch trackpad on the steering wheel, which was sensitive and frustrating to use. The system's voice recognition was excellent, though it interrupted audio playback. The infotainment system was more distracting due to the lack of physical buttons for audio and climate controls. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system.

The 2024 Honda Passport came with an 8-inch touchscreen, smaller than most competitors. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity and a wireless charging pad. The screen offered sharp resolution and quick response, but the tech had some faults. Turn-by-turn directions were pushed to the driver’s information display, which could be annoying in city driving. The TrailSport trim's seven-speaker audio system was thin, with better options available in other vehicles. The Black Edition offered an upgraded 10-speaker system.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but the previous model received high ratings. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive headlights, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Intelligent Drive package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, lane change assist, and emergency stop assist. Other options included a surround-view camera system, traffic sign assist, head-up display, and upgraded headlights. The Coupe had additional standard features like cross-traffic alerts.

The 2024 Honda Passport came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Despite these features, the Passport received an "Acceptable" rating from IIHS in the passenger-side small overlap crash test and a "Marginal" rating in the updated side-impact crash tests. NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, but four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests.