2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC was a testament to the brand's commitment to luxury and design. Its sleek lines and muscular shape, complemented by the iconic Mercedes star pattern grille and standard LED headlights, made it a standout in the compact crossover segment. The GLC's taller, upright cabin and short overhangs hinted at its multi-terrain capabilities, especially in models without the AMG Line. The crisp headlights and detailed tail lights ensured the GLC's look remained fresh, while the optional 20-inch AMG five-spoke wheels enhanced its athletic form. Inside, the GLC exuded luxury with its beautifully designed interior, featuring contrasting leather door panels and premium materials. The GLC 350e PHEV model boasted supple white leather seats with heating and ventilation options, offering great adjustability and a commanding view of the road. The interior was further enhanced by a haptic steering wheel, piano black plastic climate controls, and faux carbon fiber accents, creating a sophisticated and comfortable driving environment.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the model's tradition of evolutionary improvements, maintaining its attractive design. The third-generation Crosstrek featured subtle updates, including a frameless grille with a curved wing bar that seamlessly connected with the headlights, giving the front fascia a distinctive look. The black plastic cladding around the wheel arches, with integrated aerodynamic air inlets and outlets, improved fuel efficiency and reduced road noise. The Crosstrek Hybrid was available in two trims, Sport and Limited, and offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort. The cabin's straightforward design prioritized function, with consistent material quality and soft-touch surfaces in key areas. The gray StarTex seats with orange contrast stitching added a touch of style, while the chrome-trimmed power window switches provided an upscale accent. The Limited Hybrid trim included a heated steering wheel and an optional power moonroof, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered a range of powertrains, including the GLC 300 with rear-wheel drive or 4Matic all-wheel drive, and the GLC 350e 4Matic plug-in hybrid. All models were powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLC 300 produced 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the 350e's output was slightly lower at 201 hp and 236 lb-ft. However, the 300's 48-volt mild-hybrid system added 23 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds. The 350e's hybrid system, with a 23.3-kilowatt-hour battery and electric motor, delivered a combined output of 313 hp and 406 lb-ft, matching the 300's 0-60 time despite its additional weight. The GLC excelled in both city and highway driving, with its hybrid systems providing ample torque for quick acceleration and easy passing. The ride quality was smooth, with excellent handling and steering, making it suitable for both road trips and off-road adventures. The braking performance was adequate, with regenerative braking enhancing the electric range.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. The hybrid model was powered by a 2.5-liter Atkinson/Miller-cycle engine paired with a 118-hp traction motor, delivering a total system output of 194 horsepower. This made it the fastest Crosstrek to date, with smoother acceleration than the gas-only version. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other as a drive motor and for regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 miles per gallon, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 36 mpg. The Crosstrek's AWD system, combined with Subaru's X-Mode traction management, provided excellent off-road capability, with specific settings for different terrains. The steering was light but precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and the body exhibited less lean than previous models.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC offered a spacious front cabin with ample hip, shoulder, and legroom, even for taller drivers. However, the rear seats were slightly cramped in terms of leg and headroom, a common issue in the compact crossover segment. The front seats were cleverly designed to maximize rear legroom, though they didn't allow for much stretching. The GLC's boxy shape provided 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 52.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it practical for everyday use, despite having smaller cargo dimensions compared to some competitors. The split rear seat could be easily dropped via buttons, allowing for the transport of larger items like an XL-sized road bike. The GLC's hybridization offered an estimated fuel economy of 29.3 mpg, with the 350e achieving 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined in hybrid mode, and 60 MPGe city, 70 MPGe highway, and 64 MPGe combined in all-electric mode.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. The hybrid model provided 18.6 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded. The gas tank remained a generous 16.6 gallons, allowing for an impressive range of up to 597 miles between fill-ups. The Crosstrek Hybrid also offered ample rear-seat space, with 36.7 inches of legroom, significantly more than some competitors. Up front, storage was limited, with a small tray housing a wireless charging pad and two cupholders. The Crosstrek's interior was practical, with deep door pockets and a standard-size glove compartment.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured the latest MBUX infotainment system, with haptic controls for the steering wheel, climate, and infotainment. The 11.9-inch touchscreen required some adjustment to use effectively, as swipe intensity affected navigation and volume control. Despite occasional sluggishness, wireless Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connected seamlessly, and the screen resolution was excellent. The ambient lighting customization added to the driving experience, and the Burmester 3D surround sound system provided top-notch audio quality.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen, but the infotainment system lagged behind competitors. The software was slow, and the screen was prone to fingerprints. Many controls were touchscreen-based, which could be frustrating. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, offering an alternative to the Starlink software. The Crosstrek Limited Hybrid included a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which could display navigation maps, though not Google Maps from phone projections.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLC came standard with advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, active parking assistance, and active braking assistance. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-change assist, and more, all of which worked smoothly and effectively, enhancing the driving experience in traffic.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid included Subaru's EyeSight ADAS, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking. While the 2025 model didn't receive a Top Safety Pick from IIHS, it scored well with NHTSA. The 2026 model's ratings were pending, but it included additional safety features like rear-seat side-curtain airbags.