Compare the2024 Mercedes AMG GLCVS 2023 Hyundai Kona N

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG 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 Hyundai Kona N doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The AMG GLC’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Kona N doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes AMG GLC has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona N doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The AMG GLC offers optional Post-Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kona N 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 AMG GLC has standard Maneuvering Assistance that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Kona N doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The AMG GLC has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona N doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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

The AMG GLC offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kona N only offers a rear monitor.

Both the AMG GLC and the Kona N have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes AMG GLC weighs 1213 pounds more than the Hyundai Kona N. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The AMG GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 140 more horsepower (416 vs. 276) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 289) than the Kona N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the AMG GLC’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Kona N doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The AMG GLC has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (17.4 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes AMG GLC higher (5 out of 10) than the Hyundai Kona N (3). This means the AMG GLC produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kona N every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes AMG GLC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Kona N.

For better stopping power the AMG GLC’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona N:

	AMG GLC	Kona N
Front Rotors	14.6 inches	14.2 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	12.4 inches

For better traction, the AMG GLC has larger tires than the Kona N (F:265/45R20 & R:295/40R20 vs. 235/40R19).

The AMG GLC 43’s optional 295/38R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 38 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kona N’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the AMG GLC 43 has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch wheels are available on the Kona N. The AMG GLC 43 offers optional 21-inch wheels.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the AMG GLC can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Kona N doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The AMG 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 Kona N doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the AMG GLC’s wheelbase is 11.3 inches longer than on the Kona N (113.7 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the AMG GLC is 3.4 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Kona N.

The AMG GLC has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona N.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the AMG GLC’s rear seats recline. The Kona N’s rear seats don’t recline.

The AMG GLC has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona N with its rear seat up (21.9 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The AMG GLC has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona N with its rear seat folded (59.3 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

Pressing a button automatically lowers the AMG GLC’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Kona N doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the AMG GLC. The Kona N doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG GLC’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Kona N doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The AMG GLC has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona N has no towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the AMG 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 Kona N doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The AMG GLC uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Kona N uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the AMG GLC is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Kona N. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

When three different drivers share the AMG GLC, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Kona N doesn’t offer a memory system.

The AMG GLC’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kona N doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The AMG GLC offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Kona N doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The AMG GLC’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Kona N has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The AMG GLC’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona N’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the AMG 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 Kona N can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The AMG 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 Kona N doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The AMG GLC’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kona N’s passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The AMG GLC’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Kona N’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the AMG GLC offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Kona N doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the AMG GLC is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Kona N’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The AMG GLC’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Kona N offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the AMG GLC and the Kona N have standard heated front seats. The AMG GLC also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kona N.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the AMG GLC keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Kona N doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the AMG GLC’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Kona N doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The AMG GLC’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kona N doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the AMG GLC and the Kona N offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the AMG GLC has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona N doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the AMG GLC offers an optional Active Distance Assist Distronic, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Kona N doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The AMG GLC has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Kona N doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The AMG GLC’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Kona N doesn’t offer an automated parking system.