2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a new front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, echoing the aggressive design cues of the A-Class and CLS-Class. The taillights had square LEDs within the same housing, making the differences subtle unless compared side-by-side with older models. While the GLC wasn't unattractive, it lacked visual excitement from most angles, especially in the mass-market GLC 300 variant. The AMG versions, with their wide tires and vertical-bar grille, added some visual drama, and the GLC Coupe’s fastback roof brought a touch of flair. However, the beige paint and 18-inch wheels of the test car made it blend into parking lots, despite its hefty price tag.

What truly set the GLC apart was its interior, which was among the best in the business. The all-black interior with stained gray ash wood was rich and luxurious, featuring a continuous sweep of wood from the air vents, padded and stitched leather, and cold metal speaker covers. The fit, finish, and overall quality were impeccable. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the older, smaller displays. The new touchpad on the console and the updated steering wheel with more buttons enhanced the user experience, making the GLC’s interior a standout feature.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 aimed to deliver a premium experience with captivating style, compelling substance, and continual product improvement. For 2020, the CX-5 included more standard equipment, revised instrumentation, and control markings to enhance the cabin's appearance, along with modifications to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. The turbocharged engine saw an increase in torque output, and AWD versions gained a new off-road traction assistance feature.

The CX-5’s design, rooted in Mazda’s “Kodo” styling themes, remained appealing, distinctive, and upscale. The interior, especially in Signature trim, featured premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, giving it a luxurious feel. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the otherwise black cabin, reducing the contrast that often enhances a premium look. Despite this, the CX-5’s interior was stylish and well-executed, reflecting Mazda’s commitment to quality.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This setup offered either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), with the GLC 300 Coupe coming standard with 4Matic. The reprogrammed transmission and new engine improved the driving experience, making the GLC 300 feel more responsive. However, the engine still fell short compared to competitors like the BMW X3.

The AMG GLC 43, arriving in late 2019, featured a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, delivering impressive performance. The AMG GLC 63 4Matic Coupe and AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic Coupe offered even more power with their 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engines, producing 469 hp and 479 lb-ft, and 503 hp and 516 lb-ft, respectively. Despite the impressive performance of the AMG models, the GLC 300’s steering and handling were disappointing, with body roll, vague steering, and a lackluster suspension. Fuel economy for the GLC 300 4Matic was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 offered a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with AWD optional. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged version of the engine, producing 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular fuel. The turbocharged engine, paired with AWD, provided strong acceleration despite the CX-5’s 3,825-pound curb weight.

The CX-5’s fuel economy varied, with the turbocharged engine rated at 24 mpg combined, compared to 26 mpg combined for the naturally-aspirated engine with AWD. The CX-5 Signature averaged 22.1 mpg on the testing loop. The CX-5’s driving experience was engaging, thanks to the G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) technology, which stabilized the SUV during cornering. However, the CX-5’s high center of gravity resulted in excessive body motions, making it less thrilling to drive compared to other Mazdas. Despite this, the steering and brakes were responsive, and the CX-5 was enjoyable in typical driving situations.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for new Mercedes drivers. The column shifter required an upward tap for Reverse and a downward tap for Drive, while the seat controls were located on the doors. The new Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system offered a user-friendly interface with a 10.3-inch touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat’s reclining mechanism was cumbersome. Cargo space was 19 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5’s interior was stylish and well-equipped, with Touring trim adding dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and rear air conditioning vents. Grand Touring trim included a power height-adjustable front passenger seat, while Grand Touring Reserve added ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Signature trim featured Nappa leather, genuine wood trim, and more. The front seats were comfortable, but rear legroom was limited. Cargo space was 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.6 cubic feet with them folded, with a power liftgate standard on higher trims.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC’s MBUX system included advanced features like augmented reality for navigation, a cloud-based voice assistant, and AI-based suggestions. The system could display Yelp reviews, steer and brake on the highway, and offer a 10-second illusion of self-driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package added hill-descent control and underbody shields, but the GLC was not designed for serious off-roading.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5’s Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen on Sport trim, with Bluetooth, HD Radio, and internet radio apps. Touring trim added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Grand Touring included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, and a Bose premium sound system. Signature trim added navigation, a surround-view camera, and SiriusXM data services. The system could be controlled via touchscreen, center console controls, or voice recognition, but the latter was often unreliable. For 2021, Mazda planned to update the system with a wider, more modern display.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. New for 2020 was Exit Warning Assist, which used blind-spot-monitoring sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars. Other safety features included Pre-Safe Sound and Predictive Brake Priming, enhancing the GLC’s safety credentials.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the i-Activsense banner, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in individual testing parameters.