The luxury SUV market may be dominated by the likes of Porsche, BMW, Audi, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz, but they are far from the only brands producing some of the most sought-after models in the U.S. at the moment. Most marques have either added luxury features in their lower trims or have dedicated trims that raise the bar.

Honda may not be the first brand you think of when thinking about luxury SUVs that can take on Mercedes-Benz levels of plushness, but they have released a trim this year that more than encroaches on what the GLC SUV can offer at a lower price. In typical Honda fashion, this new SUV is built to be used every day, it is affordable, it is exceptionally well-equipped for its price point, and it will make you think twice about spending big on a Mercedes.

The luxury SUV market in the U.S. has never been bigger and more well catered for. With SUVs being one of the most popular segments, it would be silly for there not to be a huge number of luxury models available. Nearly all brands are making one, and the lines between mainstream and luxury models are constantly being blurred. The more traditional luxury brands like Ferrari have recently released their first SUV, the Purosangue; BMW continues to rule the roads with models like the X7; Mercedes-AMG has models like the AMG 53, and Lexus is still offering a sensible and restrained lineup.

Today's luxury SUVs aren't just nice to sit in; some of them are performance beasts (think the Aston Martin DBX), some of them can off-road as well as old-school mud ruckers (the Lexus GX 550), and some of them have more tech and comfort features in them than most homes. The market is exceptionally well cared for today, and with prices for some luxury SUVs below $50,000, there is an option for nearly all budgets.

Many would say that Honda doesn't fit into the luxury market, and they are somewhat below what Mercedes and Cadillac turn out. For decades, we have enjoyed the sensible, well-priced, and reliable Honda SUV market for providing us with models we can use every day and for a long time. Honda is the mothership of Acura, and while they are gaining traction in the SUV market with models like the MDX, ADX, and RDX, Honda itself is not always used to high luxury praise.

Take the new Honda HR-V as an example; it has a starting price of $26,600, it is well adapted for city and urban driving thanks to its small build, and it can carry up to 55.1 cubic feet of storage around in it. In the new Honda Pilot, the story is similar. Starting prices are $42,300; it can go off-road well with the TrailSport trim, there are seven passenger seats available, and you get a refined, easy-to-use cabin. Honda, for its many good sides (like their bulletproof reliability and versatility), isn't exactly the first brand we think of when we think of luxury.

These select SUVs are built to make extended weekends as easy as possible.

This is where things have changed this year, though. The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid, or a certain trim of it at least, can be considered as a bona fide luxury SUV with the might to take on models from the Mercedes GLC lineup.

This compact SUV has a starting price of just $30,920, a very fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain equipped, high rates of reliability (it is rated 83 out of 100 for reliability on J.D. Power), and a modern yet fairly restrained exterior design. Again, on the face of things, it sounds very Honda and doesn't scream luxury, but then there is the top-tier trim, the Sport Touring Hybrid.

Comparing the entry trim of the CR-V to the entry-level Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV would be fruitless, as the new base trim of the 2026 GLC (GLC 300) is equipped with heated front seats, a 12.3 digital display, an 11.9-inch touchscreen, wireless phone connectivity, and a 255-horsepower turbo-four under the hood. However, the difference in pricing between the Honda CR-V and the Mercedes GLC trims is very apparent; they are as follows.

The Sport Touring Hybrid is where the CR-V's design sharpens into something that feels upscale. Honda leans into a clean, almost European-inspired look, with a wide stance, a more assertive front fascia, and a sculpted hood that gives the SUV real road presence. You get a gloss-black grille, slim LED headlights, and body-color accents, so it looks good without looking over-styled. Also, the Sport Touring Hybrid gets 19-inch machine-finished alloys and a fair amount of chrome detailing around the build.

Up against the GLC, the difference in design thought is obviously clear. The GLC leans on brand identity with the prominent star badge and flowing curves, while the CR-V counters it with a more modern yet minimalist look. The CR-V's upright proportions make it look practical, while still maintaining a sleek profile thanks to a gently sloping roofline. Around the rear of the Sport Touring Hybrid, you also get vertical LED taillights and a subtle roof spoiler, which gives it a polished finish and shows that luxury doesn't just have to be about badges or long-established reputation.

What are some of the most reliable luxury SUVs avaiable? These ten top the list and offer the vareity to provide every driver with good choices.

For many German SUV fans, it is going to be a hard sell to believe that a Honda SUV can encroach on Mercedes-Benz SUV levels of luxury, but there are a fair few points about the top trim of the CR-V that make it a very approachable, comfortable, luxurious, and fancy SUV for less. We aren't the only ones that think so either, and while the Kelley Blue Book reviews are only mediocre, at 3.6 out of 5 overall, a lot of owners have complimented the upscale interior, how it drives, the exterior design, and how the suspension soaks up the bumps. One owner review sums it nicely.

The interior is upscale, the exterior is eye-catching, the fuel economy is amazing, the cabin is super quiet, it is loaded with technology, even when using nav through Apple wireless Play it also shows the navigation info on the instrument cluster as well.

- KBB Owner Review of the 2026 Honda CR-V

The materials used in the cabin go beyond what you'd expect from a compact SUV in its segment; you get soft-touch materials on the doors and the dashboard, a noticeable absence of cheap-feeling plastics, leather-trimmed seating, and contrast stitching.

The colors used around the cabin are muted, while metallic accents and clean-looking designs give the interior a refined, almost European feel. The armrests and center console are nicely padded for comfort; the seats are shaped for long hauls with supportive bolstering; dual-zone automatic climate control is included, and rear-seat A/C vents aren't an afterthought, with an ample number placed around to ensure your passengers are comfortable.

Mechanically, refinement continues with a well-sorted conventional suspension instead of an adaptive one. The CR-V is equipped with a MacPherson strut front and a multi-link rear arrangement, but it is the tuning that stands out. Honda has dialed up the dampers and spring rates to deliver a ride that absorbs bumps with decent composure while still maintaining good body control.

You get five different drive modes (ECON, Normal, Snow, Sport, and Individual), and while there is no adaptive suspension like on the GLC, the top-tier CR-V does offer a smooth ride for its price point and its usually mainstream breeding.

The technology included in the Sport Touring Hybrid trim helps it punch way above its price point. Honda equips it with a nine-inch touchscreen paired with a fully digital 10.2-inch instrument cluster, and gives the cabin a layout that feels a lot closer to something luxury rather than mainstream. Google built-in functionality adds another layer of premium usability, while voice control, app integration, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto bring the tech in the cabin altogether.

A wireless charging pad, multiple USB ports, and a Bose premium sound system also help to make the inside genuinely high-end. On the safety side of things, the Sport Touring Hybrid trims come equipped with the full Honda Sensing suite, and it is here that the class-encroaching feel starts to take shape.

Features like adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, and traffic sign recognition work together to deliver a semi-automated driving experience that you'd expect from something far more expensive. Add in blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a driver-attention monitor, and the top trim of the CR-V helps to close the gap between entry-level luxury offerings and the higher-priced German models.

The best family SUVs aren’t the loudest or flashiest, they’re the ones that quietly deliver where it matters most, year after year.

The new GLC is without doubt a prestigious SUV, and you do get the Mercedes badge to flaunt instead of the Honda one. You get more power from the engine, and you get the sporty yet flashy cabin design that has come to epitomize some German marques. However, the top-tier trim of the new CR-V gets a lot of things right in the right places and makes a case for certain Honda models being viewed as more luxurious than they currently are.

This is where the real divide between badge and feel is clear; the GLC leans into its identity heavily with bold styling cues, a more aggressive powertrain, and an overall sense of occasion every time you get in it. It feels engineered to remind you that you are driving something premium. The Sport Touring trim does things very differently, focusing on refinement that isn't necessarily apparent straight away, but in terms of smooth responses, nice ergonomics, and long-term appreciation.

The GLC feels like a statement piece, while the CR-V prioritizes ease of use, comfort, and long-term livability. The CR-V doesn't try to mimic the GLC's personality, but instead closes the gap in areas that matter most during everyday driving. Take away the branding, and what you get is a narrower margin than you first think.

This is why the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid trim could make a very appealing alternative to the GLC, and not just in starting prices. The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-four paired with a two-motor hybrid system, mated to a direct drive transmission and Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System. This year's CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid has the following specifications.

Horsepower and torque are much lower than what you get from the 2026 GLC 300, but that is not why the top-tier CRV is a useful SUV; its high fuel efficiency is. According to FuelEconomy.gov, the Sport Touring Hybrid can achieve 37 combined mpg (40 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway), and will only cost you an estimated $1,600 a year on fuel.

Alongside all the luxury trimmings and quiet cabin, you also get an impressive amount of legroom and storage space. Up front, there is 41.3 inches of legroom; the rear legroom is roomy at 41 inches; the 60:40 split seats fold down to open up 76.5 cubic feet of cargo space, and you can tow 1,000 pounds behind it. Despite having a very roomy interior, the new CR-V also has city-friendly dimensions as well, which are as follows.

The new CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid makes its strongest case in the area that matters most for everyday luxury. It delivers strong efficiency, impressive practicality, and a blend of refinement and usability that feels far beyond what its price suggests.

Rather than chasing performance and prestige, Honda focuses on how the top grade of the CR-V rides, how it is quiet in the cabin, how it feels compared to the lower trims of the CR-V, and the materials that are used. The balance of comfort and economy allows it to sit uncomfortably close to far more expensive luxury German SUVs in perceived quality, even without the badge to match.

Found an error? Send it info@www.topspeed.com so it can be corrected.

Sources: Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Kelley Blue Book, FuelEconomy.gov

Source: https://www.topspeed.com/honda-suv-feels-more-premium-than-mercedes-glc/