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

$49,250 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant initial differentiator between the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and the 2026 Mazda CX-90 is the $10,450 difference in starting MSRP, with the Mazda priced at $38,800 versus the Mercedes at $49,250. Despite the lower cost, the CX-90 boasts superior baseline power, delivering 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the GLC-Class's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. Fuel economy favors the Mercedes, achieving a combined 27 MPG (24/32 City/Highway) versus the Mazda's 25 MPG combined (23/28 City/Highway), although the GLC-Class mandates premium unleaded fuel. The Mazda is also substantially larger, measuring 200.8 inches in length compared to the GLC's 185.7 inches. While the Mercedes offers slightly better dedicated cargo space at 21.9 cu ft versus the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft, the GLC-Class is strictly RWD, whereas the CX-90 provides standard AWD capability.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is preferred for city commuting due to its higher 32 MPG highway rating and smaller exterior footprint (185.7 inches long).

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90's larger dimensions (200.8 inches length, 78.5 inches width) and standard All-Wheel Drive make it more accommodating for family transport.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is the stronger performance choice, generating 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, outclassing the GLC-Class's 255 hp and 295 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 offers 25 more horsepower for a $10,450 lower initial investment and uses less expensive regular unleaded fuel.

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

Your primary concern is maximizing highway fuel efficiency, as the GLC-Class achieves 32 MPG highway.
You require premium interior ambiance associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand.
You prefer the inherent efficiency and handling characteristics of a Rear-Wheel Drive platform.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You prioritize maximum baseline power, as the CX-90 provides 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
You need standard traction advantages provided by the All-Wheel Drive system.
Budget constraints dictate a purchase price under $40,000, given the $38,800 MSRP.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class	Mazda CX-90
Length	185.7"	200.8"
Width	74.4"	78.5"
Height	64.6"	68.3"
Wheelbase	113.7"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
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	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

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	255 hp @ 5800 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 2000 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	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear 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)	24/32 MPG	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	417.6/556.8 mi.	425.5/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.4 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
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	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Infotainment Display	11.9 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	5	8
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	—
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
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Front Head Room	41.3 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	40.7 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.3 in.	59.2 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	10-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	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	—	56.2 in.
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Rear Head Room	39.7 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.4 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	58.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	55.5 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mercedes-Benz	Mazda
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	265/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	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.
Hybrid Component Warranty	6 yr./ 62000 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 GLC-Class and 2026 Mazda CX-90.

How much does fuel choice impact long-term ownership costs between these two crossovers?

The GLC-Class mandates premium unleaded fuel, which typically costs significantly more per gallon than the regular unleaded required by the CX-90. This mandatory fuel type choice offsets some of the GLC-Class's 2 MPG combined efficiency advantage over the long run.

Which vehicle is better suited for hauling cargo on longer trips?

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class offers superior maximum usable space with 21.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the Mazda CX-90's 14.9 cubic feet. However, the CX-90 is physically larger overall at 200.8 inches long.

Is the power deficit in the GLC-Class noticeable compared to the CX-90?

Yes, the 25 horsepower and 37 lb-ft torque deficit means the GLC-Class (255 hp) will accelerate less briskly than the CX-90 (280 hp). The CX-90's superior torque output will be apparent when merging or under heavy load.

What is the fundamental difference in driving dynamics expected?

The GLC-Class features a standard Rear-Wheel Drive configuration paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, generally promoting balanced on-road handling. Conversely, the CX-90 utilizes standard All-Wheel Drive with an 8-speed automatic, prioritizing all-weather capability.

Does the significant MSRP difference justify the performance gap?

The $10,450 price gap heavily favors the Mazda CX-90 in value metrics, as buyers gain 25 more horsepower and standard AWD for thousands less than the GLC-Class entry price of $49,250.

How do the exterior dimensions affect maneuverability?

The GLC-Class is nearly 15 inches shorter in length (185.7 vs 200.8 inches) and narrower than the CX-90, making the Mercedes-Benz typically easier to navigate and park in dense urban environments.