2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB had a boxy and tall design, distinguishing it from 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, creating a symmetrical look. The GLB prioritized function over form, offering robust standard roof rails and a spacious interior despite its narrow and short dimensions. The test vehicle, painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, added a stylish touch to the otherwise practical design.

Inside, the GLB 250 made drivers feel special with upgraded dual 10.25-inch instrumentation and infotainment screens, ambient lighting, and a mix of MB-Tex leatherette and Dinamica suede seats. 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 comfort and a sense of luxury.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC, on the other hand, embraced a more timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, while still embodying modern aggression with its menacing LED headlights. The long hood and wide grille gave the GLC a dramatic stance, resembling a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan. This design underscored the SUV's car-like characteristics. The GLC's cabin was an automotive work of art, with flowing lines and a minimalist approach. The interior aesthetic set a high bar for other compact luxury SUVs, proving that automotive packaging could elevate to an art form.

The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover "coupe" body styles. The coupe's sharp look came at the cost of usable space, but it still offered a stylish alternative. Standard equipment on the entry-level GLC 300 included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate. Inside, the GLC 300 featured synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats. The test vehicle also included the Multimedia Package and Premium Package, adding navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and ambient lighting with 64 colors.

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 unusual driving position and large windows made it fun to drive, though the brakes faded prematurely during enthusiastic driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, routed through a nine-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels or available 4MATIC AWD. The GLC featured steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Dynamic Select with Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes. The powertrain was generally responsive, though there was occasional lag when pulling away from a stop. The steering feel was soft but precise, and the GLC struck a balance between refined and responsive. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLA 45 offered a twin-turbocharged V6 with 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLA 63 featured a twin-turbo V8 with up to 503 horsepower.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered generous interior dimensions, even more so than the larger and more expensive GLC. It could be equipped with an optional third row of seats, a feature unavailable on 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. The second-row seat could slide forward and back, providing flexibility for third-row passengers or cargo. Cargo space measured 22 cubic feet behind the second row and 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making the GLB a practical choice for those needing extra space.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 provided 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 19.4 cubic feet with the seats up. The GLC Coupe's fastback profile reduced these figures to 49.4 and 17.6 cubic feet, respectively. The GLC's cargo space ranked mid-pack among compact luxury SUVs, with the BMW X3 offering more space. The GLC's interior featured a decently sized center console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders, making good use of its space. Rear-seat space was adequate, with no need to slide the seats forward for legroom. However, the Coupe's low roofline cut into headroom, making the conventional SUV a better choice for most scenarios.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Premium Package upgrade replaced the standard 7-inch screens with twin 10.25-inch displays, offering lush graphics and fast response. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, providing 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 and stylish aluminum speaker grilles.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC also came equipped with MBUX, featuring a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, center console touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the main infotainment screen. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone music apps required navigating through menus. Overall, the GLC's infotainment system was intuitive and user-friendly, with a seamless flow through various menus.

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. Optional safety 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. The GLB's advanced driving assistance systems operated with accuracy and refinement, though crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC also came with standard safety tech, such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other standard features included front- and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning. The parking and proximity sensors were overly sensitive, but they could be deactivated if desired.