Compare the2025 Porsche MacanVS 2025 Mercedes GLC

The Porsche Macan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GLC doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Macan. But it costs extra on the GLC.

The Macan’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC.

Both the Macan and the GLC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC’s (12 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Macan’s reliability 46 points higher than the GLC.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The GLC isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 21 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Macan has more powerful engines than the GLC:

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the GLC 300:

The Macan has 6.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC 350e’s standard fuel tank (19.8 vs. 12.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Macan has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC’s standard fuel tank (19.8 vs. 16.4 gallons).

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The GLC doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GLC doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the GLC:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLC (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Macan’s standard 235/55R19 front and 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLC’s standard 60 series tires. The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the GLC’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLC. The Macan’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the GLC.

The Macan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The GLC’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the GLC 300 4MATIC pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLC (8.9 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLC doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLC’s (4409 vs. 3500 pounds).

A Trailer Stability Management is standard on the Macan, using the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLC.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 36% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 17th.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Macan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The GLC doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Macan, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLC isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The GLC isn’t in the top three.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 7 more times in the last 9 years. The GLC has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.