Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2024 Mercedes GLC

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

The Forester’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 GLC.

Both the Forester and the GLC 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

There are over 66 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Forester’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 20 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Mercedes.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 23 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The GLC doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the GLC:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Forester uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GLC requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Forester has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GLC doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Forester’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the GLC’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Subaru Forester may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 650 pounds less than the Mercedes GLC.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Forester has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The GLC uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The front grille of the Forester uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLC doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Forester has 2.6 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLC.

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GLC with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 21.9 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

The Forester’s cargo area is larger than the GLC’s in almost every dimension:

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 19% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

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

The Subaru Forester outsold the Mercedes GLC by almost four to one during 2023.