Compare the2026 Mercedes GLC Coupe VS 2027 Infiniti QX65

The GLC Coupe has standard NECK-PRO front head restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the NECK-PRO front head restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The QX65 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The GLC Coupe offers optional Post-Collision Brake, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX65 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GLC Coupe’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The QX65 doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLC Coupe has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The QX65 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the GLC Coupe and QX65 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the GLC Coupe has Active Brake Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The QX65’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the GLC Coupe and the QX65 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, all-wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes GLC Coupe achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2026 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, pedestrian crash prevention testing, and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention testing. The QX65 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLC Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GLC Coupe first among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The QX65 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 32 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Infiniti.

The GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 286) than the QX65’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the GLC 300 Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the QX65 (23 city/31 hwy vs. 20 city/26 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the GLC Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The QX65 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLC Coupe has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the QX65. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The GLC Coupe’s optional 285/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the QX65 Autograph’s 45 series tires.

The GLC Coupe’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The QX65 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For greater off-road capability the GLC Coupe has a 2.33 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the QX65 (8.2 vs. 5.87 inches), allowing the GLC Coupe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mercedes GLC Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 400 pounds less than the Infiniti QX65.

The GLC Coupe is 10.9 inches shorter than the QX65, making the GLC Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GLC Coupe has 1.4 inches more rear headroom and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the QX65.

The engine in the GLC Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the QX65. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the QX65, the GLC Coupe has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

If the windows are left open on the GLC Coupe the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the QX65 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the GLC Coupe to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The QX65 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

The GLC Coupe’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The QX65 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The QX65 has never been chosen.