Compare the2024 Mercedes GLCVS 2024 Mazda CX-50

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLC have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda CX-50 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The GLC’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-50 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The GLC has standard NECK-PRO front head restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the NECK-PRO front head restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its available Active Distance Assist Distronic, the Mercedes GLC is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Mazda CX-50, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	GLC	CX-50
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-14 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-19 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-19 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-19 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.1 sec	1.5 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-26 MPH	-14 MPH

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLC offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLC has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Active Brake Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus offers Rear Cross Traffic Braking.

Both the GLC and the CX-50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mercedes GLC is safer than the CX-50:

	GLC	CX-50
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	108	114
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.34 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.94 in	1.61 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	736 lbs.	982 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	67 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The GLC comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-50’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the GLC has a 150-amp alternator. The CX-50’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. With 2 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Mazda.

Engine

The GLC’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 68 more horsepower (255 vs. 187) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 186) than the CX-50’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLC is faster than the Mazda CX-50:

	GLC	CX-50 4 cyl.	CX-50 turbo 4 cyl.
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	8.5 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	16.5 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.8 MPH	84.1 MPH	89.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLC gets better mileage than the CX-50:

			MPG
GLC
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/32 hwy
CX-50
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the GLC’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLC has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50 (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLC higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-50 (5 to 7). This means the GLC produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-50 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-50.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLC’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-50:

	GLC	GLC	CX-50
Front Rotors	13.5 inches	14.6 inches	12.8 inches

The GLC’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-50 are solid, not vented.

The GLC stops much shorter than the CX-50:

	GLC	CX-50
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	181 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	118 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLC has larger standard tires than the CX-50 (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17). The GLC’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-50 (F:255/45R20 & R:285/40R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The GLC’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-50’s standard 65 series tires. The GLC’s optional 285/40R20 rear tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLC has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-50.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Mercedes GLC has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The GLC has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the GLC flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The GLC’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The CX-50 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLC’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the CX-50 (113.1 inches vs. 110.8 inches).

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .88 G’s, while the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLC 300 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-50 (27.3 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The GLC has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 5.4 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 6.2 inches more rear hip room and 3 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GLC’s rear seats recline. The CX-50’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the GLC. The CX-50 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The GLC’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-50’s (5291 vs. 2000 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the GLC uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CX-50 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLC is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-50. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The GLC has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the CX-50 Premium Plus/Turbo, the GLC has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLC’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the GLC and the CX-50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GLC is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the GLC the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-50 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLC’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Advanced Keyless Entry and Start standard on the CX-50 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLC to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-50 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The GLC’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-50 Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

Both the GLC and the CX-50 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the GLC has available rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-50 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLC has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the CX-50.

The GLC offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLC’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting and stopping automatically, with the driver only responsible for switching from reverse to drive. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The GLC is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The CX-50 has never been chosen.