HS5 II vs GLC X254: which is better?
Hongqi HS5 II (2023–present) vs Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 (2022–present): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Hongqi HS5 II
Mercedes-Benz GLC X254Specifications
| Hongqi HS5 II | Mercedes-Benz GLC X254 | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2023–present | 2022–present |
| Body | crossover SUV | crossover SUV |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 2.0 Turbo | 2.0 Turbo (GLC300) |
| Power, up to | 252 hp | 258 hp |
| Torque, up to | 380 Nm | 400 Nm |
| Gearbox | automatic | automatic |
| Drive | all-wheel drive | all-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 790 mm | 4 716 mm |
| Width | 1 906 mm | 1 890 mm |
| Height | 1 700 mm | 1 640 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 870 mm | 2 888 mm |
| Fuel tank | — | 62 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 16 475 ₸ | ≈ 16 475 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Hongqi HS5 II
Pros
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: generally reliable
- Powerful versions: up to 252 hp
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Currently in production — can be bought new
Cons
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: valve body wear at high mileage
Gearbox (Aisin automatic): generally reliable; at high mileage — valve body wear.
Mercedes-Benz GLC X254
Pros
- Powerful versions: up to 258 hp
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Conventional automatic, no robotized gearbox or CVT
- Currently in production — can be bought new
Cons
- Engine Mercedes M254/M256/M276/M278/M176: complex engines, expensive to repair
- Gearbox Mercedes 9G-Tronic: jerky shifts when worn, software updates
Engine (Mercedes M254/M256/M276/M278/M176): engines are complex and expensive to repair; oil leaks and chain issues occur on M276/M278 at high mileage.
Gearbox (Mercedes 9G-Tronic): jerks when worn, software updates.
Which one to choose
- GLC X254 — if you care more about: power, torque, wheelbase.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: HS5 II or GLC X254?
HS5 II: up to 252 hp, GLC X254: up to 258 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: HS5 II — about 16 475 ₸, GLC X254 — about 16 475 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.