2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, featuring an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, essentially acting as a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, potentially causing a tan on longer drives. However, the windshield's slight curve at eye level for taller drivers distorted the road view, which could be distracting.

Inside, the CX-30's cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. It boasted one of the best interior designs among affordable cars, blending conventional and digital displays artfully. The infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard, but its steep learning curve was a downside. The trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the Turbo Premium Plus, each adding more features and luxury elements, with the Turbo Premium Plus including front-and-rear parking sensors and advanced driver assistance features.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class was split between new and old, with the GLC 300 being redesigned while the Coupe models were carryovers from the previous year. The most noticeable difference in the new GLC 300 was the narrower taillights, but it still resembled the first-generation GLC from 2016. This wasn't necessarily a drawback, as the GLC had led the small luxury SUV class for much of its production run, maintaining a classy and timeless design.

The new GLC's interior received a significant makeover, aligning with newer Mercedes models. A large vertical infotainment touchscreen dominated the center of the dashboard, complemented by a tablet-like instrument panel in front of the driver. The materials quality and solid construction were excellent, and the cockpit design was simpler and cleaner compared to rivals like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, and Lexus RX. The returning GLC Coupe models retained their first-generation interior, which had aged well and offered some usability advantages over the newer sibling.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The test model had an upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, especially in Sport mode, which altered throttle response and shift mapping for a livelier drive.

The CX-30's conventional shifter design was a welcome feature, complemented by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a manual tap-shift mode. The sporty, refined ride had well-weighted steering and quick, precise turn-in, with minimal body roll in cornering. However, the downside was a rough ride over potholes and bumpy roads, where nearly every crack and imperfection could be felt.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel-drive were standard, with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive available. Acceleration was smooth and linear, with an estimated 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds, which was average for the class.

The brake pedal effort was a bit soft, but the brakes were effective and easy to modulate for smooth stops. The suspension favored comfort over sporty handling, but the GLC still cornered confidently. The nearly silent cabin and smoother ride compared to rivals were notable. The returning GLC 4Matic Coupe had a similar engine, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, producing 385 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, with a sport-tuned suspension and exhaust for a firmer ride and louder engine.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 offered up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 20.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in use, which was average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model had a power rear liftgate, which was a helpful feature. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, but it could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. The center console provided ample space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats offered solid headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the rear-seat headroom of the larger CX-5.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC's front seats offered enough adjustment for long-distance comfort, with synthetic leather upholstery that looked and felt substantial. Real leather was available for smoother surfaces. The center console had a large bin with a wireless charging pad and cupholders, but the piano black lid attracted dust and fingerprints. There were well-sized door pockets and another bin under the center armrest. The front seats provided ample space for taller passengers, while the rear seats could accommodate an average adult, though headroom was slightly limited for taller occupants. The standard GLC had 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which was smaller than rivals but adequate for most shoppers. The rear seats folded flat with the cargo floor for larger items. The GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo capacity to 17.6 cubic feet and lowered rear headroom by 1.3 inches.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash, controlled by a rotary dial/joystick in the center console and toggle buttons. This setup was inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems like BMW's iDrive, but it lacked touch functionality, making it less user-friendly. Navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the rotary dial was frustrating, and the system had a steep learning curve, even after setting up presets.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a large 11.9-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and immediate responses, but its lower placement on the dash made it more distracting to use. The previous generation had a smaller screen mounted on top of the dash, which was easier to control with a trackpad on the center console. The new GLC retained a tiny capacitive-touch trackpad on the steering wheel, but its sensitivity made it difficult to use consistently. The MBUX infotainment system had excellent voice recognition, but voice controls interrupted music or podcasts. The new system performed better overall but was more distracting due to the layout and lack of physical buttons. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system for audio enthusiasts.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with standard driver-assistance features such as forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. Adaptive front headlights and a 360-degree parking camera were also included. The CX-30 earned five out of five stars from the NHTSA and the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

Crash-test results for the 2023 GLC 300 were not yet available, but the previous GLC received top scores from the NHTSA and IIHS. Standard safety features for the new GLC 300 included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, emergency stop assist, a surround-view camera system, and upgraded headlights. The Coupe had cross-traffic alerts and the surround-view camera as standard, with an identical Driver Assistance package to the new GLC.