2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for the model year. It was notably longer, measuring 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, and slightly lower in height. This additional length was primarily at the rear, enhancing cargo space and providing a more stable ride due to its extended wheelbase of 134.1 inches. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious appearance with chrome styling on various trim levels, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spoke numbers depending on the trim. The vehicle's exterior was further enhanced by standard features like LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, while optional packages added even more luxury touches.

Inside, the Escalade ESV's interior was less impressive, particularly in lighter color schemes where the use of General Motors' standard switches and knobs detracted from its luxury appeal. Hard plastics were prevalent, lacking the refinement seen in competitors like Mercedes-Benz. Despite its high price point, the dashboard area lacked distinctive features. The Escalade ESV's interior design fell short of expectations for a vehicle in its price range, failing to deliver the level of opulence one might expect.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC, in contrast, embraced a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, offering a more classic design language. While it maintained a modern edge with its LED headlights, it avoided the aggressive styling seen in some competitors. The GLC's front end resembled a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. Inside, the GLC's cabin was a masterpiece of automotive design, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach. The interior was considered a benchmark for compact luxury SUVs, showcasing Mercedes-Benz's ability to elevate automotive packaging to an art form.

The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover "coupe" body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sleeker look. Standard features on the GLC 300 included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate. Inside, it offered synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a host of tech features, including the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen. Optional packages added navigation, ambient lighting, and premium sound systems, while the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 models offered more powerful engines and performance upgrades.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a 6.2-liter V8 delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 engine provided sufficient power, though it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The Escalade ESV's weight, ranging from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, posed a challenge for the engine when towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA, but the RWD version averaged around 18 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission to either the rear wheels or the available 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select drive modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. The four-cylinder turbo provided ample power, and the GLC struck a balance between refinement and responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 offered a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC63 featured a twin-turbo V8 with up to 503 horsepower in the 63 S variant.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a spacious and comfortable people and cargo hauler. It featured leatherette seating surfaces as standard, with leather upholstery available. The interior boasted 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Buyers could upgrade to 16-way power-adjustable front seats with massage functionality and other premium features. The Escalade ESV offered ample legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was suitable for occasional adult use. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, though it occasionally required manual adjustment.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC provided 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the GLC Coupe offered 49.4 cubic feet. With the rear seats up, the GLC had 19.4 cubic feet of cargo space, and the Coupe had 17.6 cubic feet. The GLC's interior featured a decently sized center console and deep door pockets for storage. Rear-seat space was adequate, with no need to slide the seats forward for legroom. The Coupe's low roofline reduced headroom compared to the SUV. Overall, the GLC made efficient use of its interior space.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system for an immersive sound experience. It featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The Escalade ESV's standout feature was its curved 38-inch OLED screen, which housed three screens for driver information and infotainment. The OLED technology provided deep blacks and crisp graphics, enhancing nighttime driving. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. While Super Cruise generally worked well, it occasionally struggled in construction zones or with sudden changes in lighting conditions.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which included a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, a center console touch controller, and an advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, offering both touch and controller options for navigating menus. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the infotainment screen. The GLC also supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus. Overall, the MBUX system was user-friendly and offered a seamless experience.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, front and rear pedestrian detection, safety seat alert, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision assist. Optional safety features included adaptive park assist, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, side blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, night vision, advanced adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, reverse automatic braking, and automatic seatbelt tightening. The NHTSA gave the Escalade ESV a four-star rating, with a three-star rating in the rollover test.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC was equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also included front- and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. The parking and proximity sensors were sensitive, occasionally triggering false positives. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning.