Mazda CX-90 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: Specs Compared
Also searched as Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs Mazda CX-90 specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Mazda CX-90 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 26 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $700 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Mazda CX-90 leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2024–2026
Mazda CX-90
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 9 configurations
2016–2026
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 92 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Mazda CX-90 | Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 26 mpg ✓ | 25 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 24 mpg ✓ | 23 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 28 mpg | 29 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,450 ✓ | $3,150 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 159 g/mi | 99 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI, SIDI; FFV |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8) | Automatic 9-spd, Automatic 7-spd |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium and Electricity, Premium, Regular | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Premium or E85 |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2024–2026 | 2016–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 9 | 92 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Mazda CX-90 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class dimensions and size
The Mazda CX-90 is 11 inches longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class on a wheelbase 7.9 inches longer, and 141.1 lbs lighter. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Mazda CX-90 (2026) | Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (2019) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8 in | 189.8 in | 11 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 77.6 in | 76 in | 1.6 in |
| Height | 68.1 in | 70.9 in | 2.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 122.8 in | 115 in | 7.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4,786 lbs | 4,927 lbs | 141 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Mazda CX-90 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Mazda CX-90 burns about $2,450 of fuel annually against $3,150 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. That $700 yearly gap compounds to roughly $3,500 over five years and $5,600 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Mazda CX-90 is the stronger commuter at 24 mpg city, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class pulls ahead on the interstate at 29 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Mazda CX-90 is recorded with 2 distinct engine configurations (SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid), the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with 4 (SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI). Across 9 recorded Mazda CX-90 configurations and 92 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Mazda CX-90 is offered with 4-Wheel Drive, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class emits 99 g/mile of CO2 versus 159 g/mile for the Mazda CX-90. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
CX-90 vs GLE-Class: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Mazda CX-90 or the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
The Mazda CX-90 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 26 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $700 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Mazda CX-90 runs about $2,450 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,150 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class — a difference of roughly $700 per year.
What engines do the CX-90 and GLE-Class offer?
Mazda CX-90: SIDI; PHEV, SIDI; Mild Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI; PHEV, SIDI, SIDI; FFV.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Mazda CX-90 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: mazda-cx-90-vs-mercedes-benz-gle-class