2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC

$37,200 · Crossover

$49,550 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade unleashes more outright power with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, offering a robust presence thanks to its greater length of 196.7 inches. Conversely, the sleeker 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC immediately captivates with its superior efficiency, achieving a fantastic 27 MPG combined against the Palisade's 22 MPG, despite needing premium fuel. While the Palisade starts impressively at $37,200, the Mercedes demands a $12,350 premium at $49,550. The GLC compensates slightly with a larger 21.9 cu ft cargo capacity compared to the Palisade's 18 cu ft, though the Palisade boasts a 36 hp advantage for quicker highway merges using regular unleaded.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC is the superior commuter choice due to its class-leading 27 MPG combined fuel economy.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offers better value and more interior volume for carrying passengers, despite having slightly less cargo space (18 cu ft vs 21.9 cu ft in the GLC).

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade provides significantly more accessible power with 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque compared to the GLC's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade wins on pure affordability, starting $12,350 lower than the Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

You prioritize maximum horsepower, as the Palisade pumps out 291 hp compared to the GLC's 255 hp.
Budget is a primary concern, with the Palisade's MSRP starting $12,350 less than the Mercedes.
You prefer utilizing readily available regular unleaded fuel rather than premium required by the GLC.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLC if...

Fuel efficiency is paramount, given the GLC’s superior 27 MPG combined rating versus the Palisade’s 22 MPG.
You desire a slightly larger available cargo area, as the GLC offers 21.9 cubic feet against the Palisade's 18.
You favor the driving dynamics and traditional feel of a rear-wheel-drive architecture combined with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Palisade	Mercedes-Benz GLC
Length	196.7"	185.7"
Width	77.8"	74.4"
Height	68.9"	64.6"
Wheelbase	114.2"	113.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	—
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Front Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	3.8 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	291 hp @ 6000 rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5200 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	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	rear wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/26 MPG	24/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	357.2/488.8 mi.	417.6/556.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.8 gal.	17.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	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	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	11.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	6 months
Speaker System	—	5
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	44.1 in.	40.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.2 in.	57.3 in.
Front Hip Room	58.1 in.	—
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	10-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	10-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Passenger Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	40.1 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	42.4 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.8 in.	56.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.7 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R18	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Mercedes-Benz
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	—
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	6 yr./ 62000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Palisade and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC's handling superior to the Palisade?

While exact dynamics aren't listed, the GLC is fundamentally structured as a smaller, RWD vehicle (185.7 inches long), often translating to nimbler handling, whereas the Palisade is larger and FWD-biased. The GLC also features a more advanced 9-speed automatic transmission.

Which vehicle offers better immediate acceleration off the line?

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade generates a higher peak horsepower figure at 291 hp, suggesting quicker straight-line acceleration than the GLC's 255 hp, even though the GLC has slightly more torque (295 lb-ft vs 262 lb-ft).

How significant is the fuel cost difference between these two crossovers?

The difference is substantial; the GLC achieves 27 MPG combined, five better than the Palisade's 22 MPG, and the GLC mandates premium fuel, adding ongoing operational costs compared to the Palisade's regular unleaded requirement.

Is the Palisade significantly bigger than the GLC?

Yes, the Palisade is notably larger, measuring 196.7 inches in length compared to the GLC's 185.7 inches, which contributes to its larger overall stature, though surprisingly the GLC offers more maximum cargo capacity at 21.9 cu ft.

Why is the Mercedes-Benz GLC so much more expensive than the Hyundai Palisade?

The 2026 GLC commands a premium starting MSRP of $49,550, which is $12,350 more than the Palisade's $37,200 base price, reflecting differences in brand positioning, standard features, and perceived luxury.

Can the Palisade handle more passengers than the GLC based on these specs?

While seating capacity isn't specified, the Palisade's greater length (196.7 inches) strongly suggests it is built to accommodate more passengers, often featuring a third row, positioning it as the more capable family hauler.