Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2023 Mercedes GLE

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature has standard Rear Smart City Brake Support that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The GLE doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-9. But it costs extra on the GLE.

The CX-9’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLE.

Both the CX-9 and the GLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-9 is safer than the Mercedes GLE:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-9 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GLE has not been fully tested, yet.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-9 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLE. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLE ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 41 percent more Mazda dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CX-9’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-9’s reliability 34 points higher than the GLE.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 24th.

The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 273) than the GLE 350’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-9 is faster than the GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better mileage than the GLE:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-9 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GLE requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CX-9 stops shorter than the GLE:

The CX-9 Signature handles at .85 G’s, while the GLE 450 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the GLE 350 4MATIC (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-9’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the GLE’s (38.8 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLE (8.8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the CX-9 Signature is quieter than the GLE 450 (37 vs. 38 dB).

The front step up height for the CX-9 is 1.7 inches lower than the GLE (18.3” vs. 20”). The CX-9’s rear step up height is 1.2 inches lower than the GLE’s (18.8” vs. 20”).

A Trailer Stability Assist is standard on the CX-9, using the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLE.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-9 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLE only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-9’s headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the GLE’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

Insurance will cost less for the CX-9 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-9 will cost $1500 to $6985 less than the GLE over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-9 is less expensive to operate than the GLE because it costs $264 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-9 than the GLE, including $268 less for a muffler, $157 less for front brake pads, $385 less for a starter, $363 less for fuel injection, $154 less for front struts and $485 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-9 will be $20584 to $37717 less than for the Mercedes GLE.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-9, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLE isn't recommended.