2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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 system. The vehicle featured a long, flat hood, an upright windshield, large side windows, and a nearly vertical rear liftgate. The front and rear overhangs were symmetrical, emphasizing its functional design. The GLB prioritized interior volume over sleek aesthetics, highlighted by robust roof rails ready for action. Painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, the test vehicle exuded style and attitude.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, offered in various trims, had a shorter and lower profile than the larger Atlas, giving it an SUV coupe look. The steeply angled rear liftgate contributed to its stylish appearance. The test vehicle, with SEL Premium trim and the R-Line package, looked impressive with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels and Pure Gray paint. Inside, the Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme added a touch of elegance. However, closer inspection revealed hard plastics, though the design and materials in high-contact areas were well-executed. The available ambient lighting was a nice touch.

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 faster 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. The test vehicle, equipped with an adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels, delivered a soft ride in Comfort mode and a more engaging experience in Sport mode. However, the brakes faded prematurely during spirited driving, and the fuel economy fell short of the EPA's 26-mpg estimate, averaging 21.4 mpg.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine producing 235 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm on premium gas. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine offered 276 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,750 rpm, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission with a sport mode. The Atlas Cross Sport was primarily front-wheel drive, with an optional 4Motion AWD system. The V6 engine provided adequate power and refinement, though the transmission's delayed downshifts in normal mode were a minor drawback. The 4Motion system allowed some front-wheel slip before engaging the rear wheels. The Active Control system offered various traction settings, and the SUV handled well in Sport mode. However, the suspension allowed too much body motion, and the fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined, with an observed 18.7 mpg.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered more interior space than the larger GLC, with an optional third row of seats. The generous interior dimensions provided ample headroom, tall seating positions, and excellent outward visibility. The second-row seat slid forward and back, allowing for extra space for third-row passengers or cargo. The front seats offered power adjustment but lacked heating and ventilation. The second-row seat comfortably accommodated two adults, though three could fit. Cargo space measured 22 cubic feet behind the second row and 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, though smaller than the Atlas, felt spacious inside. The test vehicle featured large heated and ventilated leather seats with numerous power adjustments for the driver and front passenger. The second row comfortably accommodated three kids or two adults, with ample legroom and headroom. The dual-zone automatic climate control system struggled in direct sunlight, but the problem was mitigated outside urban areas. The Atlas Cross Sport offered plenty of storage space and 40.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the back seat, expanding to 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, costing an extra $2,200, included a blind-spot warning system, keyless entry, and twin 10.25-inch displays for infotainment and instrumentation. The MBUX infotainment system offered Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and natural voice recognition. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, and the Parking Assistance Package included a surround-view camera and semi-autonomous parking assistance. The 12-speaker Burmester premium sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered three infotainment systems, with the top-trim test vehicle featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display, USB-C ports, and robust Car-Net connected services. The 12-speaker Fender premium sound system delivered high-quality audio. However, the Cross Sport lacked natural voice recognition and struggled with standard prompt tests, requiring the use of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice commands.

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. The optional Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and an automatic emergency stop system. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included essential advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) as standard, along with an automatic post-collision braking system. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had additional features like road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist. The Lane Assist system prevented lane changes when another vehicle was in the blind spot, and the rear cross-traffic alert system included automatic emergency braking. Crash-test results for the Atlas Cross Sport were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in tests.