Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2022 Mercedes GLC

The Atlas Cross Sport has standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GLC doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas Cross Sport offers optional Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The GLC doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Atlas Cross Sport 4Motion’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The GLC doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

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

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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the Mercedes GLC:

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

The Atlas Cross Sport’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the GLC’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas Cross Sport for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLC.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas Cross Sport’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the GLC’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 21 more horsepower (276 vs. 255) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The GLC requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC (18.6 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Atlas Cross Sport stops shorter than the GLC:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport has larger standard tires than the GLC (245/60R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLC (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line has standard 21-inch wheels. The GLC’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the GLC (117.3 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the GLC.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL 4Motion handles at .81 G’s, while the GLC 300 4MATIC pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Atlas Cross Sport 2.0T has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GLC (7.1 vs. 5 inches), allowing the Atlas Cross Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Atlas Cross Sport V6’s minimum ground clearance is 2.5 inches higher than on the GLC (7.5 vs. 5 inches).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 3.1 inches more rear legroom and 4.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLC.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GLC with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 19.4 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 56.5 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Mercedes GLC is limited to 3500 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas Cross Sport to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. Heated windshield washer nozzles cost extra on the GLC.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the Mercedes GLC, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Mercedes GLC by over two to one during the 2021 model year.