2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Honda Passport

The 2020 Honda Passport was a quintessential Honda, embodying the brand's familiar design and functionality. Its exterior, reminiscent of a scaled-down Honda Pilot or a beefed-up CR-V, struck a balance between ruggedness and athleticism. The Passport's design included a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights, giving it a robust appearance. The interior, while not groundbreaking, was practical and comfortable, featuring perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a spacious layout that emphasized utility over flair.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was a modern stunner, fitting seamlessly into Mercedes' extensive SUV lineup. Its exterior, with a healthy 7.9 inches of ground clearance, presented an athletic stance. Inside, the GLB impressed with its sophisticated design, highlighted by round shapes across the dash and polished metal details. The cabin featured a single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and the infotainment screen, exuding elegance and high-quality craftsmanship. The GLB's interior was both comfortable and highly adjustable, with options for heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2020 Honda Passport was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, the Passport excelled in performance, handling various driving conditions with ease. The AWD version, equipped with torque-vectoring, provided a planted feel on the road and was capable of light off-roading. The Passport could tow up to 5,000 pounds, outperforming rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GLB's fuel economy was commendable, with FWD models achieving 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The GLB's performance was solid, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. The optional 4MATIC AWD system enhanced handling and off-road capability, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions.

The 2020 Honda Passport was all about practicality. Its size, slightly larger than the CR-V, provided ample space for passengers and cargo. The interior featured comfortable seats, height-adjustable seatbelts, and three full LATCH connections for child safety seats. The Passport offered 41.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with the most under-floor storage in its class. The cabin included thoughtful storage solutions, such as a large center console and secondary shelf space in the front doors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered a choice between a two-row and a three-row configuration. The second row featured adjustable seatbacks and an "Easy-Entry" function for the third row. Cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with the two-row model offering 27.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet with the seats folded. The third row, suitable for children or short trips, provided 5.1 cubic feet of space. The GLB's cabin was well-sorted, with comfortable front seats, modern amenities, and ample storage options.

The 2020 Honda Passport came with a 5.0-inch display monitor on the base model, while higher trims featured an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was practical and easy to navigate, with additional features like Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was packed with technology, including the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with voice control and natural language understanding. Standard features included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display, and smartphone integration with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium Package upgraded the displays to 10.25 inches each, while the Multimedia Package added navigation with augmented reality. Advanced options included adaptive damping, ambient interior lighting, wireless device charging, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning good scores from the IIHS and NHTSA and being named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured a comprehensive suite of standard safety technologies, including active brake assist, adaptive braking, crosswind assist, and attention assist. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, and Pre-Safe Plus with Pre-Safe Sound. The GLB had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.