Compare the2024 Mercedes GLCVS 2024 Genesis GV80

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 Genesis GV80 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row 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 GV80 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 GV80 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its available Active Distance Assist Distronic, the Mercedes GLC is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Genesis GV80, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLC offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The GV80 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the GLC and the GV80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 59 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLC’s warranty.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes GLC is faster than the GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the GLC gets better mileage than the GV80:

Regenerative brakes improve the GLC’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GV80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLC higher (7 out of 10) than the Genesis GV80 (5). This means the GLC produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GV80 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 an eight-speed automatic is available for the GV80.

The GLC stops shorter than the GV80:

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 GV80 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .88 G’s, while the GV80 Advanced pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the GLC’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the GV80’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Mercedes GLC may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 850 pounds less than the Genesis GV80.

The GLC is 9 inches shorter than the GV80, making the GLC easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GLC has 1.1 inches more front headroom and 1.3 inches more rear headroom than the GV80.

The GLC has a much larger cargo volume than the GV80 with its rear seat up (21.9 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the GLC uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GV80 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the GV80, the GLC has standard driver and 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.

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 GV80 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The GLC’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the GV80 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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 headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the GV80’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The GLC is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GV80 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The GV80 has never been chosen.

The Mercedes GLC outsold the Genesis GV80 by over two to one during 2023.