2024 Mazda CX-90 vs. Mercedes GLE

November 17th, 2023 by

The North American auto market’s midsize SUV segment is brimming with options, with two of the most renowned models coming from Mazda and Mercedes-Benz. The 2024 Mazda CX-90 has featured on multiple lists of the best overall midsize SUVs, while the 2024 Mercedes GLE is a leader in the luxury class. If you’re in the market for a new SUV, you’ll likely come across these revered rides when searching for your next vehicle. Read as our Capistrano Mazda team in Orange County, California, examines how they stack up against each other to help guide you in your decision.

Trim Levels and Dimensions

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offers a choice between a gas-powered model and a plug-in hybrid. The gas-powered CX-90 is available in eight trims and the plug-in hybrid in three:

  • Turbo Select.
  • Turbo Preferred.
  • Turbo Preferred Plus.
  • Turbo Premium.
  • Turbo S.
  • Turbo Premium Plus.
  • Turbo S Premium.
  • Turbo S Premium Plus.
  • Plug-in Hybrid Preferred.
  • Plug-in Hybrid Premium.
  • Plug-in Hybrid Premium Plus.

The CX-90’s exterior dimensions are the same across the board, though with some variation depending on your choice of exterior features. The vehicle measures a little over 200 inches long, almost 85 inches wide with the mirrors open, and just over 68 inches tall, providing a spacious interior of 141.6 cubic feet of passenger volume. There’s enough seating for six across three rows, and the cargo volume ranges from 14.9 to 75.2 cubic feet depending on how many rows you fold down and whether you have a two- or three-person third row.

The 2024 Mercedes GLE has a more limited range of four trims, including one plug-in hybrid option. They are as follows:

  • 350 4Matic.
  • 450 4Matic.
  • 450e 4Matic (plug-in hybrid).
  • 580 4Matic.

All trim levels of the GLE are identical in their exterior dimensions, measuring around 194 inches long, almost 85 inches wide, and close to 71 inches tall. Given its smaller length, the GLE accommodates less volume than the Mazda CX-90, with 111 cubic feet for passengers and around 33 to 75 cubic feet for cargo. It offers seating for up to seven.

Powertrain and Performance

The gas-powered models of the 2024 CX-90 are the first Mazda vehicles to feature a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six e-SKYACTIV-G engine. It’s a mild hybrid powertrain, meaning a small battery and electric motor boost the engine. With it, the three S trims put out 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the non-S trims generate 280 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. The CX-90 plug-in hybrid models feature a 2.5-liter inline-four setup that pairs with an electric motor and a 355-volt battery with a capacity of 17.8 kWh. Altogether, that makes 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Both the gas-powered and plug-in hybrid CX-90 boast impressive acceleration. With the S trims, you can expect to go from zero to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds, while the plug-in hybrid can get you there in a shade under that time. Both varieties of the CX-90 offer lithe handling and agile performance.

Powertrain options for the 2024 Mercedes GLE vary by trim, though all three gas-powered models feature a mild hybrid system like the CX-90. Powertrains by trim are as follows:

  • 350 4Matic: 2.0-liter inline-four turbo (255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque).
  • 450 4Matic: 3.0-liter inline-six turbo (375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque).
  • 450e 4Matic: 2.0-liter inline-four turbo with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain (381 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque).
  • 580 4Matic: 4.0-liter V-8 biturbo (510 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque).

The 350 4Matic doesn’t have the accelerating power of the CX-90, but the two 450s can almost match its zero-to-60 time. The 580 has tremendous power, reaching 60 mph in around 4 seconds. In terms of the overall driving experience, you may want to invest in the range-topping 580 or high-end options, such as an air suspension system, to realize the GLE’s full potential.

Fuel Economy

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is considerably more fuel-efficient than the GLE. The non-S trims get an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 24 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the S trims get 23 mpg and 28 mpg, respectively. With the plug-in hybrid, you’re looking at around 57 MPGe with an all-electric range of 25 to 26 miles.

With the 2024 Mercedes GLE, the gas-powered models don’t fare well in fuel efficiency. The 350 4Matic is the most fuel-efficient at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The 450 gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, and the 580 gets 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. For the 450e, Mercedes-Benz reports an all-electric range of 38 miles, but no fuel economy estimates are available as of late October 2023.

Price

Though Mazda is a premium brand, the Japanese automaker tends to price its vehicles within the reach of a broader consumer audience. Unsurprisingly, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is the more affordable of the two vehicles, with a starting MSRP of $39,595 for the base-level Turbo Select. From there, the prices increase as follows:

  • Turbo Preferred: $43,445.
  • Turbo Preferred Plus: $45,900.
  • Turbo Premium: $48,900.
  • Turbo S: $51,750.
  • Turbo Premium Plus: $52,950.
  • Turbo S Premium: $56,450.
  • Turbo S Premium Plus: $59,950.

Even the CX-90 plug-in hybrid stays within the above price range. The Plug-in Hybrid Preferred begins at $49,945, the Plug-in Hybrid Premium comes in at $54,400, and the Plug-in Hybrid Premium Plus will run you $57,450.

As for the 2024 Mercedes GLE, even the base-level 350 4Matic begins at a higher price than any of the CX-90s, with a starting MSRP of $62,650. The 450 and 450e 4Matic are a bit higher, starting at $69,500, while the ranging-topping 580 4Matic jumps up in cost to a starting MSRP of $86,700.

Get Behind the Wheel of a Mazda CX-90 in San Juan Capistrano, California

Our new vehicle inventory at Capistrano Mazda features all the newest models, including the 2024 CX-90. Get behind the wheel and experience its power, luxury, and agility. Send us a message online, or call 949-755-8496 to schedule a test drive today.

Posted in Mazda CX-90