Mazda CX-80 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
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.
Track the Mazda CX-80 & Mercedes-Benz GLE
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Mazda CX-80 starts from $64,490 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE opens at $128,900. That makes the Mazda CX-80 the more affordable entry point by $64,410.
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 $70,939 and $141,790 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz GLE by roughly $2,565 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Mazda CX-80 and Mercedes-Benz GLE hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Mercedes-Benz GLE packs more ADAS features with 7 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the Mazda CX-80.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Mazda CX-80 and 9 in the Mercedes-Benz GLE. The Mercedes-Benz GLE adds a 360-degree camera that the Mazda CX-80 misses.
Feature Showdown
The Mazda CX-80 features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE counters with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, Burmester audio and ambient lighting that the Mazda CX-80 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mazda CX-80 gets cloth upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLE offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Mazda CX-80 and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Drivetrain
The Mazda CX-80 uses a Petrol producing 209kW and 450Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE responds with a Diesel making 198kW and 550Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The Mazda CX-80 has the clear power advantage at 209kW vs 198kW. In the real-world sprint, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mazda CX-80 measures 4,990mm long on a 3,120mm wheelbase, 66mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLE at 4,924mm (2,995mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-80 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 258L in the Mazda CX-80 and 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLE a 372L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLE leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. 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.
11.6m to 12.1m
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.1m 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 $2,394/year for the Mazda CX-80 and $1,881/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLE. That is a $513 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Estimated annual total: $2,394 (Mazda CX-80) vs $1,881 (Mercedes-Benz GLE). The Mercedes-Benz GLE saves you roughly $513 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mazda CX-80) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLE). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mazda CX-80 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Mazda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLE if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz GLE takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The Mercedes-Benz GLE will save you roughly $513 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mazda CX-80 and Mercedes-Benz GLE?
The Mazda CX-80 is the cheapest at $64,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLE by $64,410.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE uses the least fuel at 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mazda CX-80 and Mercedes-Benz GLE 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 GLE has the largest boot at 630L.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mazda CX-80 makes the most power at 209kW. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is quickest to 100km/h in 7.3s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Sign up free for price-drop alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown covering launches, deals and reviews. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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!
