2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a unique blend of style, sitting comfortably between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a distinct profile, diverging from the traditional upright Range Rover look. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs hinted at performance capabilities. Despite its SUV status, the Velar's design leaned towards a more refined, urban aesthetic, with high-quality leather and metal trim in the interior, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to cityscapes than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB embraced a boxy and tall design, maximizing interior space within its compact dimensions. Built on a front-wheel-drive platform with optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive, the GLB featured a long, flat hood and nearly vertical rear liftgate, emphasizing function over form. The GLB's interior was spacious, offering generous headroom and seating comfort, with an optional third row of seats. The design was practical, with large windows and a panoramic sunroof enhancing visibility, while the interior materials and construction maintained the quality expected from Mercedes-Benz.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in its SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, marked a shift towards performance with the introduction of a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt less agile on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both offering respectable power outputs.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB, available in GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic specifications, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, allowed the GLB to accelerate to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. The GLB's performance was enhanced by its adaptive damping suspension and 4Matic AWD system, which provided a balanced and enjoyable driving experience. The GLB's ride quality was soft and comfortable in Comfort mode, while Sport mode offered a more engaging drive. However, the brakes showed signs of fading during spirited driving, slightly detracting from the overall performance.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as expected, with competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC offering more legroom. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB, despite its compact dimensions, offered impressive interior space, even accommodating an optional third row of seats. The GLB's interior was designed for comfort, with ample headroom and seating positions that provided excellent visibility. The second-row seat was adjustable, allowing for flexible cargo and passenger arrangements. Cargo space was generous, with 22 cubic feet behind the second row and 62 cubic feet with it folded. The GLB's practical design and spacious interior made it a versatile choice for families and those needing extra space.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens handling various functions. The system included a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. While the graphics and menu layout were praised, the system's slow response times were a drawback. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, which added to the Velar's modern and minimalist cabin design.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered a compelling technology package, especially with the optional Premium Package, which upgraded the standard 7-inch screens to twin 10.25-inch displays. These displays, part of the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) system, provided lush graphics and fast response times. The MBUX system included natural voice recognition, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The GLB also featured a navigation system with augmented video, a high-definition surround-view camera system, and a semi-autonomous parking assistance system. The 12-speaker Burmester premium sound system was a highlight, offering excellent audio quality.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar came with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. However, the Velar's safety offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors, and it lacked crash-test ratings from major safety organizations.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a driver monitoring system, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The optional Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and evasive steering assistance. The GLB's safety systems operated with accuracy and refinement, though it also lacked crash-test ratings from major safety organizations.