Compare the2022 Mercedes GLCVS 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLC have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The GLC’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Equinox doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLC are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

The Mercedes GLC has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Equinox doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The GLC has standard NECK-PRO front head restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the NECK-PRO front head restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Equinox doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The GLC has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Equinox’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLC has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Equinox.

The GLC’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Equinox doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLC and the Equinox have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLC is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	GLC	Equinox
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	120	159
Neck Stress	177 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	113	376
Neck Injury Risk	24%	26%
Neck Stress	116 lbs.	153 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	29/68 lbs.	264/236 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes GLC is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	GLC	Equinox
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	69	109
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	117 lbs.	195 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	134	288
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	55 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
HIC	206	377

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GLC its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 116 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Equinox is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

The GLC comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Equinox’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The GLC’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Equinox’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Engine

The GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 85 more horsepower (255 vs. 170) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 203) than the Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLC is faster than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	GLC	Equinox
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	9.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.9 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.7 MPH	81.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The GLC has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 14.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLC has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank (17.4 vs. 15.6 gallons).

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Equinox.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLC’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Equinox:

	GLC	Equinox
Front Rotors	13.5 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.3 inches

The GLC’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Equinox are solid, not vented.

The GLC stops much shorter than the Equinox:

	GLC	Equinox
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	120 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	143 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLC has larger standard tires than the Equinox (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17). The GLC’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Equinox (255/45R20 vs. 235/50R19).

The GLC’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Equinox LS/LT’s standard 65 series tires. The GLC’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Equinox’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLC has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Equinox LS/LT. The GLC’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Equinox.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the GLC can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Equinox doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The GLC has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the GLC flat and controlled during cornering. The Equinox’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The GLC has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Equinox doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The GLC’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Equinox doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLC’s wheelbase is 5.8 inches longer than on the Equinox (113.1 inches vs. 107.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLC is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Equinox.

The GLC’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Equinox’s (56% to 44%). This gives the GLC more stable handling and braking.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .85 G’s, while the Equinox LT AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLC 300 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Equinox LT AWD (26.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The GLC has .1 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Equinox.

Cargo Capacity

The GLC’s cargo area is larger than the Equinox’s in almost every dimension:

	GLC	Equinox
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.6”/61.3”	34.9”/67.4”
Max Width	49.4”	53.7”
Min Width	43.3”	40.7”
Height	31.1”	31”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the GLC. The Equinox doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The GLC’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Equinox’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The GLC uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Equinox uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the GLC is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Equinox. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mercedes service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 19th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Equinox Premier, the GLC offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLC offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Equinox doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLC’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Equinox’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the GLC the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Equinox can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLC has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Equinox doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The GLC’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Equinox’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the GLC to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Equinox doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GLC’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Equinox’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the GLC offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Equinox doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLC to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Equinox doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The GLC has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Equinox and isn’t available on the Equinox LS.

The GLC’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Equinox LS doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

The GLC’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The Equinox Premier’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Model Availability

and e Mercedes GLC comes in four door bodystyles; the Chevrolet Equinox isn’t available as a .

Economic Advantages

The GLC will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GLC will retain 51.03% to 51.13% of its original price after five years, while the Equinox only retains 42.36% to 47.88%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLC is less expensive to operate than the Equinox because it costs $218 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the GLC than the Equinox, including $197 less for a muffler, $219 less for a fuel pump and $441 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mercedes GLC and the Chevrolet Equinox, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The Equinox has never been chosen.