2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB

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, contributing to its balanced appearance. The GLB prioritized interior volume over sleek aesthetics, highlighted by robust standard roof rails. 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. Prices started at $36,600, with the tested GLB 250 4Matic priced at $55,890, including numerous options.

Inside, the GLB 250 made drivers feel special, especially with upgraded dual 10.25-inch screens and optional ambient lighting. The interior design blended high style with simplicity, though it required some acclimation for those unfamiliar with Mercedes-Benz controls. Materials and construction were of high quality, though some metallic trim pieces revealed the vehicle's more affordable status. Overall, the GLB’s interior was a lovely place to spend time, offering a blend of style and functionality.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined vehicle. Updated for the 2020 model year, the XT5 featured 40 upgrades, including a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology. The exterior had a snub-nosed design with distinct trim level differentiation. Standard LED lights highlighted the XT5’s beefy proportions, and 20-inch wheels were standard. The interior offered a mix of luxury materials and chic design, with sweeping horizontal lines and straightforward materials.

As tested in the Premium Luxury trim, the XT5 exuded elegance with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents. The interior design was more upscale than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer. The XT5’s cabin was thoughtfully designed, though the front seats were less comfortable on long trips. Heated front seats were standard, and the SUV offered a reasonable 30 cubic feet of cargo space, though it was less than some competitors. The cargo-management system and hands-free liftgate added convenience, but small-item storage was limited.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came in GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic specifications, both equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds, though it felt faster due to the engine’s wide torque band and 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 responsive experience in Sport mode. The GLB’s driving position and large windows made it fun to drive, though the brakes faded prematurely during enthusiastic driving. Fuel economy was 21.4 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 26 mpg.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 lb-ft of torque, standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but clunkier when downshifting. The V6 provided immediate throttle response but lacked low-end torque. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg during testing, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the AWD V6. The base engine achieved 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD. The XT5 handled well, though its fuel economy was comparable to rivals like the Infiniti QX50 and Acura RDX.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered generous interior dimensions, even larger than the more expensive GLC. It could be optioned with a third row of seats, a feature unavailable in other Mercedes SUVs except the GLS. The GLB comfortably seated four adults, with ample headroom, tall seating positions, and large windows. The second-row seat slid forward and back, allowing for extra space for third-row passengers or cargo. The test vehicle’s front seats offered power adjustment but lacked heating and ventilation. The second-row seat could fit three people, though two was more comfortable. Cargo space was 22 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 seated four adults comfortably in two rows, though it technically fit five with a three-seat bench in the second row. The back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants, but legroom was good in both rows. The front seats were less comfortable on long trips due to a hard bottom cushion. Heated front seats were standard, and the SUV offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space. The deep rear cargo area was hampered by wheel bump-outs, reducing width. The cargo-management system allowed for dividing and securing items, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone and small map pockets.

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 featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, using a forward-facing camera to provide a 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 also available, offering excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had a streamlined infotainment system and center stack, with climate controls housed in Piano Black plastic providing haptic feedback. The tri-zone automatic climate control had a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustment. A heated steering wheel and heated outboard rear seats were available. The standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen housed numerous functionalities, including the automatic start-stop engine on/off switch. The XT5 featured a rotary controller on the center console for infotainment system navigation. Standard features included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, AUX port, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hot spot and 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror and head-up display (HUD) were also available.

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 safety features included second-row side-impact airbags and blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Assist. The Driver Assistance Package added active speed- and lane-maintenance systems, 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 advanced driving assistance and collision avoidance systems operated with accuracy and refinement. Crash-test ratings were not available from NHTSA or IIHS at the time of publication.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5’s safety features included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all technologies were available in all trim levels. Standard features included a rear-seat reminder and a rearview camera. The available Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, allowing large wildlife and hazards to be seen at a distance. General Motors’ Teen Driver software was also standard, allowing parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.