Compare the2024 Dodge HornetVS 2024 Mercedes GLC

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Hornet are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The GLC doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Hornet. But it costs extra on the GLC.

The Hornet’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC.

Both the Hornet and the GLC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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 around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Dodge’s powertrain warranty covers the Hornet 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLC. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLC ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 6 times as many Dodge dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Hornet’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Hornet has a standard 160-amp alternator. The GLC’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Hornet’s reliability 25 points higher than the GLC.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Dodge vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 61 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 23rd, below the industry 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 Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Dodge above average in long-term dependability. With 26 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 Dodge vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Dodge 8 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Hornet GT’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (268 vs. 255) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Hornet R/T’s standard 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 33 more horsepower (288 vs. 255) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 295) than the GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hornet GT 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mercedes GLC:

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

On the EPA test cycle the Hornet R/T 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the GLC 300 4MATIC (29 city/29 hwy vs. 24 city/32 hwy).

The Hornet R/T can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The GLC can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Dodge Hornet uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GLC requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Hornet has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GLC doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Hornet stops shorter than the GLC:

The Hornet’s optional 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 front tires.

The Hornet 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’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Hornet R/T executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GLC 300 4MATIC (26.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Hornet R/T’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the GLC’s (37.9 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Hornet GT’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the GLC’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Dodge Hornet may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 450 pounds less than the Mercedes GLC.

The Hornet is 7.7 inches shorter than the GLC, making the Hornet easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Hornet has 1 inch more front legroom and .6 inches more rear legroom than the GLC.

The Hornet has a much larger cargo volume than the GLC with its rear seat up (27 vs. 21.9 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Hornet has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLC only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the Hornet’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the GLC’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”