Compare the2025 Mercedes GLCVS 2025 Genesis GV70

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 GV70 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 GV70 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 GV70, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

The GLC has standard Post-Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GV70 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.

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 GV70 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the GLC and the GV70 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mercedes GLC is safer than the GV70:

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.

The GLC 350e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 391) than the GV70’s optional 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the GLC 300 is faster than the Genesis GV70 turbo 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the GLC running on electricity gets better mileage than the GV70:

On the EPA test cycle the GLC running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the GV70:

The GLC 350e can travel with zero emissions for 54 miles. The GV70 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the GLC’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GV70 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLC higher (6 out of 10) than the Genesis GV70 (5). This means the GLC produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GV70 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 GV70.

The GLC stops much shorter than the GV70:

The GLC has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GV70 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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 GV70 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 GV70 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .88 G’s, while the GV70 Advanced pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the GLC has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GV70 (8.2 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the GLC to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the Mercedes GLC amounts to more than styling. The GLC has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the GV70 (.32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLC get better fuel mileage.

The GLC has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more rear headroom and .2 inches more rear legroom than the GV70.

The GLC’s cargo area is larger than the GV70’s in almost every dimension:

Optional 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 GV70 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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 GV70 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the GV70 Select/Advanced/Sport, 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 GV70 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLC’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the GV70 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLC to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The GV70 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

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 GV70 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Mercedes GLC has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the GV70 Select/Advanced/Sport.

The GLC is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GV70 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Mercedes GLC outsold the Genesis GV70 by 55% during 2023.