2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 INFINITI QX80

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB had a boxy and tall design compared to other small Mercedes SUVs. It sat on a front-wheel-drive platform with an optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The vehicle featured a long, flat hood leading to an upright windshield, large side windows, and a nearly vertical rear liftgate. The front and rear overhangs were symmetrical, contributing to its balanced appearance. The GLB prioritized function over form, maximizing interior volume within its narrow and short frame. Standard roof rails added to its utilitarian appeal.

Our test vehicle, painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, stood out with style and attitude. Prices for the GLB started at $36,600, but our loaded GLB 250 4Matic had a sticker price of $55,890. The interior featured dual 10.25-inch screens, ambient lighting, and a Burmester premium sound system. The cabin, with its high-quality materials and thoughtful design, made drivers feel special, though some metallic trim pieces revealed its more affordable status within the Mercedes lineup.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as Infiniti's flagship SUV, was significantly larger than the QX50 and QX60. For 2020, it was available in Luxe and Limited trims. The QX80's exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern details like welcome lights, power-folding mirrors, LED fog lights, and adaptive front lighting. Automatic on/off LED headlights with high beam assist illuminated the road ahead.

The QX80 offered comfort and convenience features such as body-color running boards, a power-sliding moonroof, rear privacy glass, and roof rails. Buyers could choose from nine paint jobs and three interior color schemes. The Limited-grade models featured matte silver and open-pore Ash wood trim. While the cabin materials had improved, some trim pieces still lagged behind competitors. The infotainment system had been updated for a sleeker look, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came in GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic specifications, both powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 and 4,000 rpm. Mercedes claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds, though it felt quicker due to the engine's wide torque band and the snappy eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The DCT powered the front wheels unless the 4Matic AWD was optioned, which optimized grip and performance. An Off-Road mode locked the drivetrain in a 50:50 power split for maximum traction.

The test vehicle, equipped with an adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels, delivered a soft, pillowy ride in Comfort mode, ideal for city and highway driving. In Sport mode, the suspension firmed up, and the turbo powertrain became more responsive. Despite its modest engine specs, the GLB offered a fun driving experience, though the brakes faded prematurely during enthusiastic driving. Fuel economy was 21.4 mpg, below the EPA's 26-mpg estimate.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, shared with the Nissan Armada, producing 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode, the QX80 handled its weight well, though downshifts were clunky compared to competitors' 10-speed automatics. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the RWD model getting 14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined, while the 4WD model dropped to 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined.

The QX80 Luxe offered RWD or 4WD, while the Limited came standard with 4WD. The SUV was capable off-road, with Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes. Two steering systems were available: engine-speed-sensitive power-assist for Luxe models and vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assist for Limited models. The QX80's light steering made low-speed navigation easy, but high-speed stability was a challenge. The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and standard rear auto-leveling suspension provided a smooth ride and maintained stability when towing, with an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered more interior space than the larger and more expensive GLC. It could be equipped with an optional third row, a feature not available in other Mercedes SUVs except the GLS. The GLB comfortably accommodated four adults, with ample headroom, tall seating positions, large windows, and an available panoramic sunroof. Entry and exit were easy, and the second-row seat could slide to adjust space for third-row passengers or cargo.

The front seats offered power adjustment but lacked heating and ventilation unless upgraded. The second-row seat could fit three people, but two was more comfortable due to the vehicle's narrow width. The third-row seat, an $850 option, was not included in the test vehicle. Cargo space was generous, with 22 cubic feet behind the second row and 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 featured plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, but the third row had limited legroom, suitable for small children or pets. Standard seating for seven included second-row captain's chairs, with an optional 60/40 split-folding bench. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather or Alcantara with quilting, contrast piping, and stitching.

The driver enjoyed a 10-way power-adjustable seat with lumbar support, while the passenger had an eight-way power-adjustable seat. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated second-row seats available. A heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a dual-occupant memory system for the driver's seat, mirrors, and steering wheel were standard. The QX80 offered ample cargo space, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, costing an extra $2,200, was highly recommended. It included a blind-spot warning system, keyless entry, and twin 10.25-inch displays with lush graphics and fast response. The GLB came with the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and natural voice recognition. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, using a forward-facing camera for live video feed with turn-by-turn directions.

The Parking Assistance Package included a high-definition surround-view camera system and a semi-autonomous active parking assistance system. The 12-speaker Burmester premium sound system was a standout feature, offering excellent sound quality and stylish aluminum speaker grilles.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came standard with an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for split functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Upgrades included two 8.0-inch rear-seat entertainment displays, a WiFi hot spot, and a 17-speaker Bose stereo.

SiriusXM services, including Travel Link and Traffic, were available with a four-year trial period, providing real-time traffic, weather, and fuel price information. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern in design.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came standard with several safety features, including a driver monitoring system, backup camera, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a Pre-Safe front collision preparation system. Emergency call service was also standard. Optional features included second-row side-impact airbags and blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Assist.

The Driver Assistance Package offered advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and an automatic emergency stop assistance system. Enhancements to the Pre-Safe technology included rear-impact preparation and ear protection at the moment of impact. The GLB had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of publication.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, being an older model, lacked some of the latest driver-assist features but still offered a good range of standard and available safety technology. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist.

The QX80 received "good" scores in the moderate overlap front and side crash tests from IIHS. NHTSA rated the QX80 as having better crashworthiness from the side than the front and a moderate risk of rollover during a crash.