2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB

$38,045 · Crossover

$43,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 bursts onto the scene emphasizing muscular performance with its 280 hp inline-six engine, ready to conquer the highway with standard All-Wheel Drive. Contrastingly, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB charms with efficiency and premium heritage, albeit with a more modest 221 hp output and a Front-Wheel Drive focus for its base model. The Mazda leverages its substantial 200.8-inch length to offer potential interior space, while the Mercedes prioritizes maneuverability with its shorter 182.4-inch footprint. The CX-90 provides 332 lb-ft of torque versus the GLB's 258 lb-ft, promising quicker acceleration despite the Mazda achieving 25 combined MPG versus the Mercedes’ superior 28 combined MPG. Furthermore, the significant $5,755 price gap—starting at $38,045 for the Mazda versus $43,800 for the Mercedes—presents a clear divergence in initial cost for buyers seeking power or efficiency.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 28 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 offers a larger exterior platform, suggesting potentially better passenger or cargo accommodation over the physically smaller GLB.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 dominates the driving dynamic category with 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the GLB's 221 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 provides substantially more horsepower for a starting MSRP that is $5,755 less expensive than the Mercedes-Benz GLB.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You demand spirited acceleration, leveraging the 280 hp engine and standard All-Wheel Drive.
You need to save money upfront, as the MSRP starts at $38,045, over $5,700 less than Car 2.
You prefer the assurance of regular unleaded fuel rather than premium unleaded required by Car 2.

Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLB if...

Fuel efficiency is paramount, highlighted by its 28 combined MPG versus Car 1's 25 MPG.
You desire a more compact vehicle for easier city navigation, evidenced by its 182.4-inch length.
Your priority is maximizing rear storage space, offering 22 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to Car 1's 14.9 cu ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-90	Mercedes-Benz GLB
Length	200.8"	182.4"
Width	78.5"	72.2"
Height	68.2"	66.7"
Wheelbase	122.8"	111.4"

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	✓	✓
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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling 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 Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Base Engine Displacement	3.3 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	mild hybrid
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5000 rpm	221 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1800 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	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed automated manual
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/28 MPG	25/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	444.0/518.0 mi.	397.5/524.7 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	15.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Driver Assisted Parking Assist	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	10.25 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Memory Card Slot	✓	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	6 months

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	40.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.2 in.	55.9 in.
Front Hip Room	56.2 in.	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Thigh Extension	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-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	39.3 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	54.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	19 x 8.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	—
Tire Size	265/55R19	235/55R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Run Flat Tires	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Mazda	Mercedes-Benz
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
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-90 and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB.

How significant is the performance difference between the CX-90 and the GLB?

The difference is substantial: the 2025 Mazda CX-90 boasts 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, which eclipses the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB's 221 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This nearly 60 hp advantage strongly favors the Mazda for enthusiastic driving.

Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for daily commuting?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB wins on efficiency with 28 combined MPG (25 city/33 highway). The 2025 Mazda CX-90 trails slightly at 25 combined MPG, though both utilize an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Why is the Mercedes-Benz GLB considerably more expensive initially?

The Mercedes-Benz GLB has an MSRP of $43,800, which is $5,755 more than the Mazda CX-90's base price of $38,045. This price premium reflects the Mercedes badge and potentially differing standard features, despite the Mazda offering superior base horsepower.

Is the cargo space significantly different between these two crossovers?

Yes, the difference is notable, favoring the Mercedes-Benz GLB which offers 22 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The Mazda CX-90 provides only 14.9 cubic feet, suggesting the physically smaller GLB maximizes its internal volume better for storage.

What drives the difference in transmission type listed for these two vehicles?

The Mazda CX-90 uses a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic, known for smooth, reliable shifts. The Mercedes-Benz GLB utilizes an 8-speed automated manual, which often offers quicker shifts favored by driving purists but sometimes sacrifices low-speed refinement.

Does the required fuel type affect the long-term cost of ownership?

The Mazda CX-90 accepts regular unleaded gasoline, keeping immediate fueling costs lower. Conversely, the Mercedes-Benz GLB strictly requires premium unleaded, which will invariably increase routine operational expenses for owners.