Compare the2025 Mazda CX-50VS 2025 Mercedes GLC

The Mazda CX-50 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 GLC doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-50 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mercedes GLC has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the GLC.

The CX-50’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 CX-50 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-50 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 40 percent more Mazda dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the CX-50’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-50’s reliability 17 points higher than the GLC.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 gets better mileage than the GLC running its gasoline engine:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo/Hybrid)’s fuel efficiency. The GLC 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-50 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The GLC requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The CX-50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC 350e’s standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 12.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-50 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.

The CX-50 stops much shorter than the GLC:

The CX-50 handles at .87 G’s, while the GLC 350e pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GLC 300 4MATIC (26.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.3 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-50 Hybrid’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the GLC’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The CX-50’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the GLC’s (36 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLC (8.6 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mazda CX-50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 1000 pounds less than the Mercedes GLC.

The CX-50 has 1 inch more front legroom and 2.4 inches more rear legroom than the GLC.

The CX-50 has a much larger cargo volume than the GLC with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 21.9 cubic feet).

The CX-50’s cargo area is larger than the GLC’s in every dimension:

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-50 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.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-50’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the GLC’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLC isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-50 outsold the Mercedes GLC by 23% during 2024.