2020 Kia Telluride vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB

The 2020 Kia Telluride marked a significant departure from Kia's previous designs, which often carried a reputation for being adequate but uninspiring. The Telluride, however, presented a more upscale appearance, with a design that borrowed elements from luxury SUVs while maintaining its unique identity. The front featured wide-spaced vertical headlights and a silver mesh grille, giving it a bold, boxy presence reminiscent of a high-end vehicle. The interior was equally impressive, with features like twin grab handles, wide air vents, and an ultra-wide touchscreen that mimicked the look of a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Despite some cost-cutting measures, such as faux wood and hard plastic in lower sections, the overall fit and finish were commendable, making the Telluride feel more expensive than its actual price.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was a new addition to the brand's extensive SUV lineup, slotting between the smaller GLA and the larger GLC. The GLB's design was unmistakably Mercedes, with a taut, athletic stance and a healthy 7.9 inches of ground clearance. Inside, the GLB was a modern stunner, featuring round shapes across the dash, polished metal details, and a single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and the infotainment screen. The cabin's fit and finish were excellent, and the beefy steering wheel with perforated leather grips added to the luxurious feel. The GLB's design was both functional and stylish, making it a strong contender in the compact luxury SUV segment.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain could drive either the front wheels or all four wheels, with AWD available as a $2,000 option. While the engine provided sufficient power to move the Telluride's substantial weight, the transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent. The Telluride's steering was slow, and there was noticeable body lean, but the ride quality was smooth, aided by double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride also offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the optional Towing package and had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

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 performance was decent, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. The GLB's fuel economy was impressive, with EPA estimates of 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined for FWD models. The 4MATIC AWD version offered better handling and driving feel, making it a wise choice for those who value agility and off-road capability. The GLB also came with the Off-Road Engineering Package, enhancing its off-road performance with features like hill-start assist and downhill speed regulation.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and third-tier EX seated eight, while the second-tier S offered eight as an option. The top SX trim featured reclining captain's chairs in the second row, with heating and cooling options, manual side-window shades, and a third climate zone. The Telluride's interior was spacious, with ample room in the second row and a tolerable third row for adults. Cargo capacity was 21 cubic feet with all seats raised and 87 cubic feet with them all flat. The Telluride's infotainment system included an 8-inch screen, with a 10.3-inch screen available on higher trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered a critical choice between a two-row or three-row configuration. The second row featured a 40:20:40 split seatback and a 40:60 split seat bottom, with each section adjustable for recline and slide. The third row, available as an option, was retractable and best suited for children or short trips for smaller adults. Cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with 27.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet behind the first row in the two-row model. The three-row model offered 5.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 24.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 56.7 cubic feet behind the first row. The GLB's front seats were highly adjustable and supportive, with available heated and ventilated options.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote access to the car via an app. Upper trims featured navigation with voice inputs, live traffic and weather updates, and a 10.3-inch screen. The SX trim offered advanced features like a live feed of blind spots on the instrument cluster, Highway Driving Assist, and an intercom system for the third row. The Telluride also had bright LED headlights, dual moonroofs, and a Harman Kardon surround stereo on upper trims.

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 screens to 10.25 inches each and added keyless go. The Multimedia Package included navigation with augmented reality and traffic-sign assist. Other available features included adaptive damping, 64-color ambient lighting, wireless device charging, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Kia Telluride was equipped with a comprehensive suite of active driver assists, including forward-collision alert with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit Assist was also standard, preventing passengers from opening the rear doors if an approaching vehicle was detected. Surround-view cameras and front parking sensors were optional.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured standard safety technology such as active brake assist, adaptive braking with hill-start assist, crosswind assist, attention assist, and emergency call service. Available safety features included active LED headlamps, adaptive high-beam assist, and blind-spot assist. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like active distance assist Distronic, active steering assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, and Pre-Safe Plus with Pre-Safe Sound, which emitted a signal to trigger a protective reflex in the ear during an imminent collision.