Compare the2024 Mazda CX-5VS 2024 Mercedes GLB

The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The GLB doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The CX-5 Turbo Signature has standard Smart Brake Support-Rear that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply 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-5. But it costs extra on the GLB.

The CX-5’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-5 and the GLB 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.

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-5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GLB has not been tested, yet.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-5 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-5’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-5’s reliability 42 points higher than the GLB.

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-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (256 vs. 221) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Mercedes GLB:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the GLB 250 4MATIC (26 city/31 hwy vs. 24 city/32 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The GLB doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mazda CX-5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The GLB requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The CX-5 has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLB (15.3 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-5 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 better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the GLB’s (36 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The CX-5 has 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the GLB.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume than the GLB with its rear seat up (30 vs. 5.1 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The GLB doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CX-5 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The GLB has no towing capacity.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-5 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.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-5’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the GLB’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the CX-5 has standard extendable sun visors. The GLB doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Both the CX-5 and the GLB have standard heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the GLB.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The GLB doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Insurance will cost less for the CX-5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-5 will cost $700 to $1955 less than the GLB over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-5 will be $598 to $9227 less than for the Mercedes GLB.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLB isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Mercedes GLB by over 9 to one during 2023.