2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

$40,200 · Crossover

$49,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical difference is the $9,050 MSRP gap, with the 2025 Honda Pilot starting at $40,200 compared to the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class at $49,250. The Pilot offers superior power with 285 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the GLC-Class's 255 hp, though the Mercedes compensates with 295 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is a major divergence: the Pilot achieves a combined 22 MPG (19/27 city/highway) running on regular unleaded, whereas the GLC-Class nets 27 combined MPG (24/32 city/highway), but requires premium fuel. Dimensionally, the Pilot is larger at 199.9 inches long versus the GLC's 185.7 inches. While the Pilot has less cargo space at 18.6 cu ft, its lower operating cost through fuel type offsets some of the initial purchase price disadvantage against the more premium offering.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

The GLC-Class is superior for commuting due to its 27 combined MPG rating and smaller exterior footprint for easier urban maneuvering.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot is the clear choice for families, offering a substantially larger overall vehicle structure suitable for more passengers and gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Pilot

The Pilot generates higher peak horsepower at 285 hp, despite the GLC-Class offering superior torque delivery at 295 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda Pilot

The Pilot provides a much lower entry price point at $40,200 and utilizes less expensive regular unleaded fuel.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

You require a base MSRP under $41,000, as the Pilot starts at $40,200.
Maximum passenger or storage volume is prioritized over premium branding.
You wish to avoid the cost associated with premium unleaded fuel requirements.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class if...

Maximizing fuel efficiency is key, as it achieves 27 combined MPG versus the Pilot's 22 MPG.
A higher torque output of 295 lb-ft is preferred over peak horsepower.
A more compact overall length of 185.7 inches is necessary for tight garage storage.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Length	199.9"	185.7"
Width	78.5"	74.4"
Height	71.0"	64.6"
Wheelbase	113.8"	113.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	—
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	—
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	285 hp @ 6100 rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	rear wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/27 MPG	24/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.5/499.5 mi.	417.6/556.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	17.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	✓	—
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	11.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	240W	—
Speaker System	7	5
Subwoofer Count	1	1
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	6 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	40.5 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	40.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	57.3 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	—
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	10-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	10-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	3

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	40.2 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.8 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.7 in.	56.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.4 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	20 x 8.0 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/50R	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Mercedes-Benz
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	6 yr./ 62000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.

What is the fuel cost difference between the Pilot and the GLC-Class?

The GLC-Class achieves 27 combined MPG versus the Pilot’s 22 combined MPG, representing a 5 MPG advantage. However, the GLC-Class mandates premium unleaded fuel, which often carries a higher cost per gallon than the Pilot’s regular unleaded requirement.

How does the seating capacity compare between these two crossovers?

While specific seating counts were not provided, the 2025 Honda Pilot's longer body at 199.9 inches strongly suggests it offers three rows of seating, making it significantly more capable for large families than the compact 185.7-inch Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.

Which vehicle is faster based on published horsepower figures?

The 2025 Honda Pilot is numerically faster in raw power output, delivering 285 horsepower from its engine compared to the 255 horsepower produced by the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class engine.

Is the additional cost of the Mercedes worth the lower cargo capacity?

The Mercedes GLC-Class commands a $9,050 premium starting MSRP, yet it offers slightly more standardized cargo space at 21.9 cu ft compared to the Pilot’s 18.6 cu ft.

Do these vehicles have similar drivetrains?

No, they utilize different standard configurations: the Pilot features standard Front Wheel Drive paired with a 10-speed automatic, while the GLC-Class utilizes a standard Rear Wheel Drive setup with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

How much larger is the Pilot's physical presence?

The Honda Pilot is substantially larger, measuring 199.9 inches in length and 78.5 inches in width, giving it significant dimensions over the GLC-Class at 185.7 inches long and 74.4 inches wide.