Compare the2024 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Mercedes GLB

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the CX-90 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The GLB doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLB doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GLB doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S Premium has standard Rear Smart City Brake Support that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GLB 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-90. But it costs extra on the GLB.

The CX-90’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 GLB.

Both the CX-90 and the GLB have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-90 weighs 818 to 1605 pounds more than the Mercedes GLB. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Mazda CX-90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The GLB has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-90 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLB. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLB 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-90’s warranty.

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 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 22 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The CX-90’s standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 59 more horsepower (280 vs. 221) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-90 PHEV’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 102 more horsepower (323 vs. 221) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 119 more horsepower (340 vs. 221) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Mercedes GLB:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The GLB can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-90 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on CX-90 PHEV for maximum performance). The GLB requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The CX-90’s standard fuel tank has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLB (18.5 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-90 Turbo S’ standard fuel tank has 6.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLB (19.6 vs. 13.5 gallons).

For better stopping power the CX-90 Turbo S/PHEV’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GLB:

The CX-90’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the GLB are solid, not vented.

The CX-90 stops shorter than the GLB:

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the GLB (265/55R19 vs. 235/55R18). The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLB (275/45R21 vs. 235/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLB. The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the GLB.

The CX-90 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GLB; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the GLB don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 11.4 inches longer than on the GLB (122.8 inches vs. 111.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-90 is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the GLB.

The CX-90’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.7% to 48.3%) than the GLB’s (57% to 43%). This gives the CX-90 more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLB (8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S’ minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the GLB (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches).

The CX-90 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GLB can only carry up to 7.

The CX-90 has .6 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.1 inches more third row headroom, 1.3 inches more third row legroom and 9.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the GLB.

The CX-90’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLB.

The CX-90’s cargo area is larger than the GLB’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-90 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The GLB has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the CX-90 uses 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. The GLB doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the CX-90 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the GLB. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-90 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLB only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-90 has standard extendable sun visors. The GLB doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the CX-90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The GLB doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the CX-90 and the GLB offer available heated front seats. The CX-90 Premium Plus also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the GLB.

The CX-90 Premium Plus has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The GLB doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Mazda CX-90 outsold the Mercedes GLB by 84% during 2023.