2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$45,800 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class excites with its premium badge appeal and efficient 28 MPG combined fuel economy, despite requiring premium fuel for its 221 hp output. Conversely, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 punches above its weight with a robust 280 hp and a substantial 332 lb-ft of torque, immediately appealing to drivers seeking raw power. The GLB-Class is notably compact at 182.4 inches long, offering nimble urban handling. However, the CX-90 counters with its standard All-Wheel Drive and significantly higher output, even though its combined MPG sits slightly lower at 25 MPG. The $7,000 price disparity is a major talking point; the Mazda offers 59 more horsepower for nearly $8,000 less than the Mercedes, making it a formidable challenger in the luxury-adjacent crossover space. The GLB manages 25 MPG city driving, slightly edging out the CX-90's 23 MPG city rating.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

The GLB-Class wins for commuters due to its superior 28 MPG combined efficiency and smaller exterior dimensions (182.4 inches long) ideal for city maneuvering.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 is better suited for families because it offers standard All-Wheel Drive and a substantially larger overall footprint (200.8 inches long) for potential interior spaciousness.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

Enthusiasts will gravitate toward the CX-90 for its exhilarating 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, vastly outmuscling the GLB's 221 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 delivers far greater power and standard AWD capability for a $7,000 lower MSRP ($38,800 versus $45,800).

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

You prioritize the prestigious Mercedes-Benz badge and luxury feel.
You need better fuel economy, achieving 33 MPG highway on its required premium fuel.
You require a more compact footprint, measuring only 182.4 inches in length for tight parking situations.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Maximum engine performance is key, thanks to its 280 hp engine.
You prefer standard All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box.
Budget is a primary concern, saving $7,000 on the initial purchase price.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class	Mazda CX-90
Length	182.4"	200.8"
Width	72.2"	78.5"
Height	66.7"	68.3"
Wheelbase	111.4"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
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
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog 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	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	—	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	mild hybrid
Horsepower	221 hp @ 5500 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Transmission Type	8-speed automated manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/33 MPG	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	397.5/524.7 mi.	425.5/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.9 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Driver Assisted Parking Assist	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	—
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	59.2 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
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	—
Front Hip Room	—	56.2 in.
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.1 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.9 in.	58.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	55.5 in.
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class and 2026 Mazda CX-90.

Does the difference in fuel requirement impact the long-term cost?

Yes, the GLB-Class requires premium unleaded, which generally costs more per gallon than the CX-90's regular unleaded. This ongoing fuel expense may partially negate the GLB's slight MPG advantage on paper.

Which vehicle is truly the larger crossover?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is significantly larger, measuring 200.8 inches long and 78.5 inches wide, compared to the GLB-Class's 182.4 inches length and 72.2 inches width.

How much more power does the Mazda offer over the Mercedes?

The CX-90 boasts a substantial 59 horsepower advantage, producing 280 hp versus the GLB-Class's 221 hp, alongside 332 lb-ft of torque compared to 258 lb-ft.

Which crossover offers a better deal on paper?

The Mazda CX-90 represents superior value, offering 59 more horsepower and standard AWD for a starting MSRP that is $7,000 less than the GLB-Class.

Is the difference in cargo space significant for daily use?

While the GLB has 22 cubic feet of cargo space, this is notably more than the CX-90's 14.9 cubic feet, suggesting the smaller Mercedes might be slightly more practical for hauling gear, despite its smaller exterior dimensions.