Compare the2023 Volkswagen TiguanVS 2022 Mercedes GLC

The Tiguan has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies 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 Tiguan SE R-Line Black/SEL R-Line has standard 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 Tiguan’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The GLC doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Tiguan 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 Tiguan is safer than the Mercedes GLC:

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

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, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tiguan its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 92 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GLC has not been fully tested, yet.

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

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tiguan 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 Tiguan’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Tiguan’s engine uses 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.

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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Tiguan uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GLC requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Tiguan higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes GLC (6). This means the Tiguan produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GLC every 15,000 miles.

The Tiguan stops shorter than the GLC:

The Tiguan SEL R-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLC’s optional 45 series tires.

The Tiguan 4Motion® handles at .82 G’s, while the GLC 300 4MATIC pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Tiguan’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the GLC’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Tiguan has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GLC (7.6 vs. 5 inches), allowing the Tiguan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Tiguan offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the GLC can only carry 5.

The Tiguan has 1.8 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more rear headroom than the GLC.

The front step up height for the Tiguan is 2.6 inches lower than the GLC (17.4” vs. 20”). The Tiguan’s rear step up height is 5 inches lower than the GLC’s (17.5” vs. 22.5”).

The Tiguan’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLC.

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

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Tiguan 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 rated the Tiguan’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the GLC’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tiguan is less expensive to operate than the GLC because it costs $9 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Tiguan than the GLC, including $166 less for a water pump, $97 less for a muffler, $187 less for front brake pads, $138 less for fuel injection, $65 less for front struts and $675 less for a power steering pump.

The Volkswagen Tiguan outsold the Mercedes GLC by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.