Mercedes-Benz vs. Subaru
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Mercedes-Benz and Subaru contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Mercedes-Benz and Subaru cars.
When comparing the Mercedes-Benz brand to the Subaru brand, Mercedes-Benz has the advantage in the areas of horsepower, towing capacity, safety and variety of models offered. Subaru has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, used car pricing, depreciation, fuel efficiency, overall quality, reliability and retained value.
Mercedes-Benz versus Subaru: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Mercedes-Benz versus Subaru pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Subaru in 4 out of 4 vehicle comparisons. Subaru also has a lower used vehicle starting price in 4 out of 4 comparisons. Subaru models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 5 out of 5 comparisons. The lower overall prices for Subaru, plus their lower depreciation rate, gives Subaru the overall advantage over Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz versus Subaru: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Mercedes-Benz vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 5 out of 5 model comparisons. Subaru offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 4 out of 4 comparisons. Mercedes-Benz offers a greater towing capacity in 1 out of 2 comparisons. In 1 comparisons, Mercedes-Benz and Subaru have the same towing capacity.
Mercedes-Benz versus Subaru: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Mercedes-Benz versus Subaru overall quality ratings shows Subaru with higher quality ratings in 1 out of 1 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Subaru has the advantage in 1 out of 1 comparisons. Mercedes-Benz has better safety ratings in 2 out of 2 comparisons. Subaru shows higher ratings for retained value in 5 out of 5 comparisons.
Best Car Rankings:
Most Reliable Car Rankings:
Available Body Styles: Mercedes-Benz offers 12 SUVs, 1 wagon, 11 sedans, 3 coupes, and 3 convertibles. In comparison, Subaru offers 7 SUVs, 1 wagon, 2 sedans, and 1 coupe.
Drivetrain Options: Mercedes-Benz offers 13 gasoline vehicles, 7 plug-in hybrids, and 4 electric vehicles. Subaru offers 8 gasoline vehicles, 2 hybrids, and 1 electric vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz offers 16 all-wheel-drive models, 4 front-wheel-drive models, and 8 rear-wheel-drive models. Subaru offers 8 all-wheel-drive models and 1 rear-wheel-drive model.
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
$43,420 - $54,540
Mercedes-Benz GLC
$51,645 - $78,302
Mercedes-Benz GLC
$51,645 - $78,302
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
$61,699 - $96,649
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
$61,699 - $96,649
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Not Yet Available
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,586 - $46,228
Subaru Forester
$31,888 - $43,559
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,586 - $46,228
Subaru Forester
$31,888 - $43,559
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
$47,130 - $52,398
Mercedes-Benz GLC
$44,343 - $64,953
Mercedes-Benz GLC
$44,343 - $64,953
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
$54,935 - $70,273
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
$54,935 - $70,273
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Not Yet Available
Subaru Outback (suv)
$28,999 - $40,745
Subaru Forester
$28,888 - $38,988
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
$28,999 - $40,745
Subaru Forester
$28,888 - $38,988
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
48.2%
Mercedes-Benz GLC
51.4%
Mercedes-Benz GLC
51.4%
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
53.6%
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
53.6%
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
33.6%
Subaru Outback (suv)
43.3%
Subaru Forester
37.2%
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
43.3%
Subaru Forester
37.2%
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
221 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Mercedes-Benz GLC
255 hp / 295 foot-lbs
Mercedes-Benz GLC
255 hp / 295 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
313 hp / 406 foot-lbs
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
313 hp / 406 foot-lbs
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Not Yet Available
Mercedes-Benz GLC
24 / 32 / 27
Mercedes-Benz GLC
24 / 32 / 27
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
23 / 28 / 25
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
23 / 28 / 25
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Not Yet Available
Subaru Outback (suv)
26 / 32 / 28
Subaru Forester
26 / 33 / 29
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
26 / 32 / 28
Subaru Forester
26 / 33 / 29
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Not yet available
Mercedes-Benz GLC
3500 lbs
Mercedes-Benz GLC
3500 lbs
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not yet available
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not yet available
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
3500 lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
3500 lbs
Subaru Forester
3000 lbs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
3500 lbs
Subaru Forester
3000 lbs
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
7.9 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Not available
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Not available
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.6 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.3 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.3 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
7.8 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Not available
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Not available
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
7.8 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.0 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
7.8 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
Not available
Mercedes-Benz GLC
10 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLC
10 / 10
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
Not available
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
9.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
7.9 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLC
7.7 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLC
7.7 / 10
Other Comparisons
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.6 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLC (Plug-in Hybrid)
7.6 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.9 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.2 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.7 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.2 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.7 / 10
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Mercedes-Benz GLA
#2 of 12 in
Most Reliable Luxury Subcompact SUVs