2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Honda Passport

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 over rakish aesthetics. The GLB prioritized interior volume, 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 acclimation for those unfamiliar with Mercedes-Benz. Materials and construction were of high quality, though some metallic trim pieces revealed their cost-saving mission. Overall, the GLB’s interior was a lovely place to spend time, offering a blend of comfort and sophistication.

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. The styling similarities between the two were evident, with the Passport resembling a Pilot Sport. Inside, the dash layout was visually identical to the Pilot, sharing Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design. Despite this, the Passport had a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. Trim levels included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, each offering various features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

The Passport’s interior was spacious and comfortable, with the rear seats offering plenty of headroom and legroom. The seats could recline and slide, making them accommodating for passengers. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console featured a deep bin and an open cargo tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims offered a hands-free power liftgate, enhancing convenience.

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 at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 rpm 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 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 optional adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels provided a soft, pillowy 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, resulting in a fuel economy of 21.4 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 26 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Passport featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Passport offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well, though the stop-start system could be abrupt. The Passport’s ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models offering Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. FWD Passports could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds, making it suitable for light off-roading and towing.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered generous interior dimensions, even larger than the more expensive GLC. It could optionally include a third row of seats, a feature unavailable in other Mercedes SUVs except the GLS. The GLB comfortably accommodated four adults, with ample headroom, tall seating positions, and large windows. 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 was more suitable for two passengers due to the vehicle’s narrow width. Cargo space measured 22 cubic feet behind the second row and 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down, providing ample storage.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of under-floor storage was available. The EX-L trim featured a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims included a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console had a deep bin and an open cargo tray. The rear seats offered plenty of headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide for added comfort.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB’s Premium Package, priced at $2,200, included a blind-spot warning system, keyless entry, and twin 10.25-inch displays with lush graphics and fast response. The MBUX infotainment system offered Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and natural voice recognition. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, using a forward-facing camera for turn-by-turn directions. The Parking Assistance Package included a high-definition surround-view camera system and semi-autonomous active parking assistance. The 12-speaker Burmester premium sound system provided excellent audio quality and stylish aluminum speaker grilles.

The 2021 Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a poorly designed volume dial. Despite these drawbacks, the inclusion of smartphone connectivity features was a significant advantage over the Pilot, which required a higher trim level for these features.

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 Pre-Safe front collision preparation. Optional features included second-row side-impact airbags, blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Assist, and the Driver Assistance Package, which added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and automatic emergency stop assistance. Enhancements to Pre-Safe technology included rear-impact preparation and ear damage protection. However, the GLB had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of publication.

The 2021 Honda Passport was equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for passenger-side small overlap front crash test, headlights, and child-seat anchor ease of use. The front crash prevention tech received an "Advanced" rating.