2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC

$40,200 · Crossover

$49,550 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The $9,350 MSRP difference between the 2025 Honda Pilot ($40,200) and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC ($49,550) represents the most significant initial divergence. The Pilot counters its lower price with superior power, delivering 285 hp compared to the GLC's 255 hp, although the Mercedes achieves higher torque at 295 lb-ft versus 262 lb-ft. Fuel economy is another major point of separation; the GLC offers a 27 MPG combined rating on premium fuel, significantly better than the Pilot's 22 MPG combined on regular unleaded. Dimensionally, the Pilot is substantially larger at 199.9 inches long, while the GLC offers more storage space with 21.9 cu ft versus the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft. Ultimately, the decision balances cost and size (Pilot) against efficiency and luxury orientation (GLC).

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC offers a superior combined fuel economy rating of 27 MPG versus the Pilot's 22 MPG, minimizing daily running costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot's larger overall dimensions (199.9 inches long) suggest better interior volume for passenger accommodation despite slightly less measured cargo space (18.6 cu ft).

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot provides 285 hp, which is 30 more horsepower than the GLC's 255 hp, offering higher peak power output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Honda Pilot

The Pilot offers 30 more horsepower and utilizes regular unleaded fuel at a $9,350 lower base MSRP than the GLC.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

Your primary requirement is minimizing initial purchase price, starting at $40,200.
You need the peak power advantage provided by its 285 horsepower engine.
You require the flexibility of running on regular unleaded gasoline instead of premium fuel.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC if...

Fuel efficiency is paramount, as indicated by its 27 MPG combined rating.
You prioritize maximizing cargo volume, where it offers 21.9 cu ft versus the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.
You prefer the higher torque figure of 295 lb-ft available for responsive low-end acceleration.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Length	199.9"	185.7"
Width	78.5"	74.4"
Height	71.0"	64.6"
Wheelbase	113.8"	113.1"

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 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC.

What is the performance difference between the 2025 Honda Pilot and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC?

The Pilot outputs more raw horsepower at 285 hp, whereas the GLC compensates with higher torque at 295 lb-ft compared to the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. Both use different transmission setups, with the Pilot employing a 10-speed automatic and the GLC a 9-speed automatic.

How significantly does the fuel economy vary between these two crossovers?

The 2026 GLC holds a distinct advantage with a 27 MPG combined rating, beating the 2025 Pilot's 22 MPG combined rating by 5 MPG. It is important to note the GLC mandates premium fuel, while the Pilot uses regular unleaded.

Is the Mercedes-Benz GLC smaller than the Honda Pilot, and how does that affect storage?

Yes, the Pilot is substantially larger, measuring 199.9 inches long compared to the GLC's 185.7 inches. Despite being smaller overall, the GLC manages to offer slightly more functional cargo capacity at 21.9 cu ft versus the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.

What is the actual price gap when comparing the base models?

There is a significant $9,350 difference in base MSRP, with the 2025 Honda Pilot starting at $40,200 and the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC starting at $49,550.

Which vehicle uses a less expensive type of fuel?

The Honda Pilot is designed to run on regular unleaded fuel. Conversely, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC requires premium unleaded fuel, which typically carries a higher cost per gallon.

Do the standard drive types differ between the two vehicles?

Yes, the standard configurations are opposite: the 2025 Honda Pilot comes standard with Front Wheel Drive (FWD). The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC comes standard with Rear Wheel Drive (RWD).