2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class presented a blend of the familiar and the new. While the GLC 300 was redesigned, the Coupe models carried over from the previous year, with new versions expected for the 2024 model year. The changes in the GLC 300 were subtle, with the most noticeable being the narrower taillights. Despite these updates, the GLC maintained its classic luxury SUV appeal, with a design that had stood the test of time. The interior saw a more significant transformation, featuring a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a tablet-like instrument panel, offering a modern and high-tech feel. The materials and construction quality remained top-notch, providing a simpler and cleaner cockpit design compared to competitors like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5.

In contrast, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 made a bold statement with its design and luxury aspirations. Mazda aimed to elevate its status, challenging traditional luxury brands with its impressive design and material quality. The CX-90's exterior was imposing, with a large grille, wide-set front end, and sizable wheels, all contributing to its elegant yet commanding presence. Inside, the CX-90 offered a range of trims, with top models featuring luxurious materials like brown suede upholstery and wood inlays. The interior design was stylish and comfortable, with a focus on quality and attention to detail. Despite its size, the CX-90 managed to maintain a sense of elegance and sophistication, rivaling more expensive luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class 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. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive as standard, while the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system was available. The GLC 300 offered smooth acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which was average for its class. The suspension prioritized comfort, providing a smooth ride, although it wasn't as sporty as some competitors. The GLC Coupe retained its older engine, delivering similar performance, while the AMG GLC 43 Coupe offered a more powerful 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine with 385 horsepower, reaching 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The Turbo S variant delivered 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offering a thrilling driving experience with its impressive exhaust note. All CX-90 models came with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 featured three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, with noticeable differences in performance. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and offering an all-electric range of 26 miles. Both models demonstrated excellent handling, with the CX-90 feeling agile and composed through corners, thanks to its advanced suspension and steering setup.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered comfortable front seats with ample adjustment options and high-quality synthetic leather upholstery. The interior provided sufficient storage space, including a large center console bin and well-sized door pockets. The GLC's cargo capacity was 21.9 cubic feet, which was smaller than some rivals, but the rear seats folded flat for additional space. The GLC Coupe's sloping roofline reduced cargo capacity to 17.6 cubic feet and slightly impacted rear headroom.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in lower trims and featuring captain's chairs in mid-level trims. The Turbo S models had a two-seat third row, providing slightly more cargo space. The CX-90's cargo capacity was 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded, offering more space than the previous CX-9 but still falling short compared to some competitors. The interior featured clever storage solutions, including a large center console and spacious door pockets. The CX-90's materials and upholstery were of high quality, contributing to a comfortable and luxurious cabin environment.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured an 11.9-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. However, its lower placement on the dash made it more distracting to use. The MBUX infotainment system offered excellent voice recognition, but the lack of physical buttons made adjustments more challenging. Standard connectivity included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available Burmester 3D Surround Sound system for audio enthusiasts.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on reducing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to enhance safety, the system's quirks made it less user-friendly. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition, adjusting settings to the driver's preferences. Standard features included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls available for these systems.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC had not yet been crash-tested, but it was expected to perform well based on Mercedes' reputation. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot monitor. Additional options included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The GLC Coupe shared similar safety features, with cross-traffic alerts and a surround-view camera as standard.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came with the i-Activsense suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The CX-90 also featured lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. While crash-test results were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well, given the strong safety ratings of the previous CX-9 model.