Denza B5 vs Mercedes-Benz GLC
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 27 Sep 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$74,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$89,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Denza B5 & Mercedes-Benz GLC
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Denza B5 starts from $74,990 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC opens at $89,900. That makes the Denza B5 the more affordable entry point by $14,910.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $82,489 and $98,890 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Denza B5 by roughly $8,410 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Denza B5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the Denza B5 and 92% for the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 4 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Denza B5, against 0 on the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems.
Recalls on our record
Denza B5
None open on our record
Mercedes-Benz GLC
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006414 · published 29 Aug 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the steering coupling bolts may not meet specifications and could become loose.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- REC-006318 · published 28 Mar 2025Due to a software issue, the high-voltage starter generator may experience an intermittent overload, which could deactivate functions of the system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2025
- 26 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
31.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Denza B5 features a 15.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLC gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments.
The Denza B5 stands out with Apple CarPlay, V2L and Devialet audio — features our data doesn't list for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Mercedes-Benz GLC counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Denza B5 gets leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLC offers synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Denza B5 uses a Petrol Turbo PHEV producing 400kW and 760Nm of torque, sent through a 1-speed auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC responds with a Petrol making 150kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
The Denza B5 has the clear power advantage at 400kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Denza B5 is 3.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Denza B5 measures 4,888mm long on a 2,800mm wheelbase, 172mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLC at 4,716mm (2,888mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLC generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 470L in the Denza B5 and 600L in the Mercedes-Benz GLC, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLC a 130L advantage.
For towing, the Denza B5 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.8m to 11.9m
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $456/year for the Denza B5 and $2,138/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. That is a $1,682 annual difference in favour of the Denza B5.
Warranty: 6 years / 150,000km (Denza B5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLC). The Denza B5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Denza B5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Denza's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLC if: You need more boot space, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (76 vs 62). The Denza B5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Denza B5 will save you roughly $1,682 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz GLC has a clear edge. The Denza B5 adds peace of mind with a longer 6-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
One enquiry, local dealers' best price on each. Free for you to use. If you buy, the dealer may pay us a commission.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Denza B5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC?
The Denza B5 is the cheapest at $74,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLC by $14,910.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Denza B5 uses the least fuel at 1.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Denza B5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLC has the largest boot at 600L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Denza B5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Denza B5 has the longest warranty at 6 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Denza B5 makes the most power at 400kW. The Denza B5 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.8s.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
