2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a commanding presence on the road, towering nearly six-and-a-half feet above the ground and stretching up to 19 feet in length. It was a motorized cargo container with three rows of leather seats and an array of advanced technology. The Escalade ESV variant extended the wheelbase by 15 inches, offering even more space. Despite its massive size, the Escalade managed to look athletic and trim, thanks to design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits on the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was luxurious, especially in the first row, with a 38-inch curved screen and high-quality wood trim. However, some components borrowed from cheaper GM vehicles detracted from the overall luxury experience, particularly in the second and third rows.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was a blend of new and old, with the GLC 300 being redesigned while the Coupe models carried over from the previous year. The new GLC 300 featured subtle exterior changes, such as narrower taillights, maintaining a timeless and classy design. The interior received a significant update, with a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a tablet-like instrument panel, offering a modern and high-tech feel. The materials and construction were of excellent quality, and the cockpit design was simpler and cleaner compared to rivals. The GLC Coupe retained its first-generation interior, which had aged well and offered some usability advantages over the newer model.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade offered a standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for towing up to 8,200 pounds on the RWD model. However, the Escalade felt heavy during passing situations, and the 10-speed automatic transmission, while responsive, struggled in Sport mode. The Escalade-V variant addressed acceleration issues with a supercharged Corvette V8, delivering 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque, but this seemed excessive. An optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 offered smoother torque delivery and better fuel economy at 22 mpg combined with 4WD. The Escalade's magnetic dampers and air suspension improved maneuverability, but wind noise at highway speeds was noticeable.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission and RWD were standard, with 4Matic AWD available. Acceleration was smooth, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, but it lacked the liveliness of some competitors. The brake pedal was soft but effective, and the suspension favored comfort over sporty handling. The GLC 4Matic Coupe retained its older engine, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe offered a sportier experience with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, producing 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an incredibly spacious interior, with 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV offered even more space, maxing out at 143 cubic feet. The independent rear suspension provided generous headroom and legroom in every row, accommodating six adults comfortably. The controls were user-friendly, with a smart and fast infotainment system. Optional features included a front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps for easy access. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered comfortable front seats with ample adjustment options and well-shaped cushions for long-distance comfort. The synthetic leather upholstery was convincingly grained, and real leather was available for a smoother feel. The interior provided adequate storage space, though the piano black lid attracted dust and fingerprints. The rear seats accommodated average adults comfortably, with slightly limited headroom for taller occupants. The standard GLC offered 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, smaller than some rivals, but still adequate for most shoppers. The GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo capacity to 17.6 cubic feet and lowered rear headroom.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a vast array of OLED screens across the dash, providing sharp and clear visuals. The front camera displayed a high-resolution feed with navigation overlays directly in the driver's field of view. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, offered the best hands-free highway driving system, using infrared eye-tracking cameras for safety. The Escalade also included night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and massaging front seats. The rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps like Hulu, and the LED headlights were exceptionally bright.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's interior featured a large 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 new system performed well but lacked physical buttons for no-look adjustments. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

Crash-test results for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 were not yet available, but the previous GLC received top scores from the NHTSA and IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive headlights, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and emergency stop assist. The Coupe included cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view camera.