Compare the2022 Mercedes GLCVS 2022 Porsche Macan

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 Macan doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 Macan 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 Macan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLC’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Macan doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

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 Macan doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLC and the Macan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

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 vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GLC the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 145 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Macan has not been tested, yet.

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLC’s warranty.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLC higher (6 out of 10) than the Porsche Macan (5). This means the GLC produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Macan every 15,000 miles.

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

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 Macan doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 Macan doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLC’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the Macan (113.1 inches vs. 110.5 inches).

The GLC’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the Macan’s (55.7% to 44.3%). This gives the GLC more stable handling and braking.

The Mercedes GLC may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Porsche Macan.

The design of the Mercedes GLC amounts to more than styling. The GLC has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .35 Cd. That is lower than the Macan (.35 to .37). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLC get better fuel mileage.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GLC’s rear seats recline. The Macan’s rear seats don’t recline.

The GLC has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Macan with its rear seat up (19.4 vs. 17.2 cubic feet). The GLC has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Macan with its rear seat folded (56.5 vs. 52.9 cubic feet).

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers the GLC’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Macan doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GLC’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Macan doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The GLC has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Macan doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The GLC’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Macan.

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 Macan doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 Macan can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLC’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Macan’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Macan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the GLC has standard extendable sun visors. The Macan doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The GLC offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Macan doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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 Macan’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

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

The GLC is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Macan doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the GLC owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GLC will cost $2670 to $7540 less than the Macan over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLC is less expensive to operate than the Macan because it costs $18 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the GLC than the Macan, including $403 less for a muffler, $56 less for front brake pads, $3 less for a fuel pump, $93 less for front struts and $779 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes GLC will be $4453 to $29828 less than for the Porsche Macan.

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

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

The Mercedes GLC outsold the Porsche Macan by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.