2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

$30,500 · Crossover

$49,250 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the rugged utility of the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and the luxury stature of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class often boils down to budget versus performance prestige. The most glaring difference is the MSRP, where the CX-50 starts at a very attractive $30,500 compared to the GLC-Class’s $49,250, a $18,750 gap. While the Mercedes offers a significant 255 hp, the Mazda’s 187 hp is adequate, and it pulls ahead slightly on efficiency, achieving 28 MPG combined versus the GLC’s 27 MPG. Interestingly, both vehicles are nearly identical in size, with the Mazda measuring 185.8 inches long, but the CX-50 provides noticeably more utility with 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the GLC’s 21.9 cubic feet. Finally, buyers must note the fuel requirements: the CX-50 runs happily on regular unleaded, while the GLC demands premium fuel.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-50

The CX-50 wins for commuters due to its lower entry price of $30,500 and use of regular unleaded fuel, saving money both upfront and at the pump.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 is the family choice because it offers substantially more usable storage space with 31.4 cu ft versus the GLC-Class’s 21.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Enthusiasts will prefer the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class for its significantly greater output, boasting 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque compared to the CX-50's 187 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-50

The Mazda CX-50 represents superior overall value, costing $18,750 less while still providing standard all-wheel drive and better cargo capacity.

Choose the Mazda CX-50 if...

You need the best value, as the $30,500 MSRP significantly undercuts the competition.
You prioritize fuel cost savings by only needing regular unleaded fuel, unlike the GLC's premium requirement.
You need maximum utility, benefiting from 31.4 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the GLC's 21.9 cu ft.

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

You strongly desire high performance, given the GLC's significant 68 hp advantage (255 hp vs. 187 hp).
You prefer a luxury badge and a more refined 9-speed automatic transmission.
You prefer rear-wheel drive biased performance handling over the CX-50's standard all-wheel drive setup.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-50	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Length	185.8"	185.7"
Width	75.6"	74.4"
Height	63.5"	64.6"
Wheelbase	110.8"	113.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Brake Drying	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Power Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	187 hp @ 6000 rpm	255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	185 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/31 MPG	24/32 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	397.5/492.9 mi.	417.6/556.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	17.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	11.9 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	5
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	6 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	39.1 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	40.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	57.3 in.
Front Hip Room	53.6 in.	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
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	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Rear Head Room	38.6 in.	39.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.8 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	56.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.1 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P225/65R17	235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	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.
Hybrid Component Warranty	—	6 yr./ 62000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-50 and 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class.

How much more power does the Mercedes GLC-Class have over the Mazda CX-50?

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class produces 255 horsepower, which is a notable 68 hp more than the 2025 Mazda CX-50's 187 horsepower. This power difference should result in quicker acceleration times for the Mercedes.

Does the size difference between these two crossovers matter for parking?

They are almost identical in length at 185.8 inches (CX-50) and 185.7 inches (GLC-Class), meaning maneuverability in tight spots should be comparable. However, the GLC-Class is slightly taller at 64.6 inches versus 63.5 inches for the Mazda.

Is the higher cost of the GLC-Class worth it for fuel economy?

The fuel economy is nearly identical, with the CX-50 achieving 28 MPG combined and the GLC-Class netting 27 MPG combined. However, the CX-50 uses regular unleaded, whereas the GLC requires more expensive premium fuel, making the Mazda cheaper to run overall.

Which vehicle offers better practical cargo space?

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 is significantly better for hauling gear, offering 31.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class trails substantially with only 21.9 cubic feet available behind the rear seats.

What is the key drivetrain difference between the two models?

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 comes standard with all-wheel drive and uses a 6-speed automatic transmission. Conversely, the standard 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class utilizes a rear-wheel drive setup paired with a modern 9-speed automatic transmission.