2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

$49,250 · Crossover

$34,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical difference between the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is the $14,450 MSRP gap, with the Santa Fe starting at $34,800 compared to the GLC-Class's $49,250. Despite the lower entry price, the Santa Fe offers superior power output with 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, besting the GLC-Class's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. Fuel economy is a clear win for the Mercedes, achieving 27 combined MPG on premium fuel versus the Hyundai's 24 combined MPG on regular unleaded. In physical dimensions, the Santa Fe is longer at 190.2 inches versus 185.7 inches and taller at 67.7 inches versus 64.6 inches, although the GLC-Class offers more usable space with 21.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Santa Fe’s 14.6 cu ft. This comparison pits superior standard power and value against established luxury brand efficiency and hauling capability.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

The GLC-Class offers superior fuel efficiency for daily driving with a 27 combined MPG rating compared to the Santa Fe's 24 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

The Mercedes-Benz offers greater vertical storage volume with 21.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Hyundai's 14.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2026 Santa Fe produces 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, significantly outperforming the GLC-Class's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe offers an immediate $14,450 lower starting MSRP and utilizes less expensive regular unleaded fuel.

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

Fuel efficiency is a priority, as the GLC-Class achieves 27 combined MPG.
A higher degree of luxury brand cachet is desired, regardless of the $49,250 base price.
Rear-wheel drive orientation (RWD) is preferred over the Santa Fe's standard front-wheel drive (FWD).

Choose the Hyundai Santa Fe if...

Maximum standard power output is required, with the Santa Fe generating 277 hp and 311 lb-ft.
Cost is the primary deciding factor, reflected by the $34,800 MSRP and regular fuel requirement.
A longer, taller vehicle footprint (190.2 inches length, 67.7 inches height) is necessary.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class	Hyundai Santa Fe
Length	185.7"	190.2"
Width	74.4"	74.8"
Height	64.6"	67.7"
Wheelbase	113.7"	110.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
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
Brake Drying	✓	—
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Power 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	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	255 hp @ 5800 rpm	277 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	311 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Hyundai
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Hyundai
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (required)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/32 MPG	20/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	24 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	417.6/556.8 mi.	354.0/513.3 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.4 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Power 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	✓	✓
Automatic 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	✓	—
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Hyundai
Front Head Room	41.3 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	40.7 in.	44.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 in.	59.5 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	10-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	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	—
Front Hip Room	—	56.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	39.7 in.	40.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.4 in.	42.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	58.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	54.9 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Does the higher price of the GLC-Class translate to better fuel economy?

Yes, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class achieves 27 combined MPG, which is 3 MPG better than the 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe’s 24 combined MPG rating. However, the GLC-Class requires premium unleaded fuel, which increases operating costs.

Which crossover has more usable interior space?

The GLC-Class offers superior cargo volume with 21.9 cubic feet available behind the rear seats, significantly exceeding the Santa Fe's 14.6 cubic feet. This difference is primarily due to the Mercedes having a lower height and a more vertically oriented rear storage area.

Is the 2026 Santa Fe more powerful than the Mercedes GLC-Class?

The Santa Fe is factually more powerful, producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The GLC-Class is rated at 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

How significant is the difference in starting price?

The difference is substantial, standing at $14,450; the 2026 Santa Fe starts at $34,800 while the 2025 GLC-Class starts at $49,250.

What are the fundamental drivetrain differences between these two crossovers?

The GLC-Class comes standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD) and uses a 9-speed automatic transmission. Conversely, the Santa Fe is configured with front-wheel drive (FWD) and utilizes an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Which vehicle is physically larger in overall dimensions?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe is physically larger, measuring 190.2 inches long and 67.7 inches tall. The GLC-Class is slightly smaller at 185.7 inches long and 64.6 inches tall.