Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2023 Mercedes GLC Coupe

The Porsche Macan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Macan’s standard Porsche Hill Control allows you to creep down safely. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer Porsche Hill Control.

The Macan’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC Coupe.

Both the Macan and the GLC Coupe 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC Coupe’s (12 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Macan’s reliability 33 points higher than the GLC Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 21 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Macan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (261 vs. 255) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 120 more horsepower (375 vs. 255) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 273) than the GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 179 more horsepower (434 vs. 255) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 273) than the GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

The Macan has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC Coupe (19.8 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the GLC Coupe:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLC Coupe (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20).

The Macan’s standard 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLC Coupe’s standard 55 series tires. The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the GLC Coupe’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan offers optional 21-inch wheels. The GLC Coupe’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Macan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The GLC Coupe’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat folded (53 vs. 49.4 cubic feet).

The Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLC Coupe’s (4409 vs. 3500 pounds).

A Trailer Stability Management is standard on the Macan, using the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLC Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Macan has a standard rear wiper. The GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Macan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the GLC Coupe.

Insurance will cost less for the Macan owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Macan with a number “5” insurance rate while the GLC Coupe is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Macan is less expensive to operate than the GLC Coupe because typical repairs cost much less on the Macan than the GLC Coupe, including $351 less for a water pump, $138 less for a starter, $123 less for fuel injection and $372 less for a power steering pump.

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

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 6 more times in the last 8 years. The GLC Coupe has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.