2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Volvo XC40

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, and offered a stylish look with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch. It shared familial styling cues with other Volvo models, such as “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. The XC40 Recharge variant featured a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also had a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a different rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery.

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. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, though it felt faster due to the engine’s wide torque band and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 4Matic AWD system optimized grip and performance, with an Off-Road mode locking the drivetrain in a 50:50 power split. The GLB offered a soft, pillowy ride in Comfort mode and a more responsive drive in Sport mode. However, the brakes faded prematurely during enthusiastic driving, and the fuel economy was 21.4 mpg, below the EPA estimate of 26 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge on top. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge featured dual electric motors with a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered generous interior dimensions, even more than the larger GLC. It could optionally include a third row of seats, a feature not available 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 slid forward and back for additional space. Cargo space was 22 cubic feet behind the second row and 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The front seats had power adjustments but lacked heating and ventilation in the test vehicle.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it had less legroom and headroom compared to the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited due to powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox, and large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad and a standard USB-C port.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with an optional $2,200 Premium Package upgrading to twin 10.25-inch displays. These displays offered lush graphics, high customization, and fast response. The MBUX system included 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 was a highlight.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, instead requiring the driver to shift out of park with the key fob present. Future updates might include a Digital Key feature, allowing smartphone use in place of the key fob.

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 features included second-row side-impact airbags and blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Assist. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and an automatic emergency stop system. However, the GLB had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of publication.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 gasoline model received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge had not been tested, but Volvo expected it to perform well due to a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, driver-alertness monitor, run-off road mitigation, oncoming lane mitigation, and Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model also had a scalable sensor suite for future advanced driver aids.