2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a new front fascia with a trapezoidal grille and angled LED headlights, echoing the aggressive designs of the A-Class and CLS-Class. The taillights had square LEDs within the same housing, making it hard to distinguish from previous models unless parked side by side. While the GLC wasn't unattractive, it lacked visual excitement from most angles, especially in the mass-market GLC 300 model. The AMG versions, with their wide tires and vertical-bar grille, added some visual drama, and the GLC Coupe’s fastback roof brought a touch of flair. However, the beige paint and 18-inch wheels of the test car made it blend into parking lots, despite its hefty price tag.

What truly set the GLC apart was its interior, which was among the best in the business. The all-black interior with stained gray ash wood was rich and luxurious, featuring a continuous sweep of wood from the three circular air vents. The leather padding and stitching on the seats and doors, along with the cold metal covers of the stereo speakers, showcased impeccable fit, finish, and overall quality. The 2020 model introduced a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous smaller displays, and a new touchpad on the console. The steering wheel, identical to the one in the E-Class, had more buttons and felt thicker and softer. A 12.3-inch display could replace the analog gauges, and the shiny buttons for various functions were replaced by a blank plate.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, introduced in 2020, joined an already extensive lineup of Mercedes SUVs. Slotting between the smaller GLA and larger GLC, the GLB measured 182.4 inches in length with a 111.4-inch wheelbase. Despite its distinct measurements, the GLB shared the Mercedes-Benz DNA, making it hard to distinguish from its siblings without reading the badge. The GLB had an attractive, athletic stance, partly due to its 7.9 inches of ground clearance, which was more forgiving for soft roads and speed humps compared to the lower-slung GLA and GLC.

Inside, the GLB was a modern stunner with two standout design elements. The repetition of round shapes across the dash, including the polished metal HVAC vents, evoked an aerospace vibe. The single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and the infotainment screen was elegant and attractive. The cabin boasted Mercedes-Benz levels of fit and finish, with a beefy steering wheel featuring perforated leather grips. The GLB's interior was well-sorted, offering comfort and support with eight-way power adjustment and three-position memory for the front seats. Heated and ventilated seats, as well as a heated steering wheel, were available options.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came with a new turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The 9-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), featured major reprogramming, making the GLC 300 feel more responsive. However, the engine still fell short compared to competitors like the BMW X3. The AMG GLC 43, with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 385 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, offered phenomenal performance. The AMG GLC 63 4Matic Coupe and AMG GLC 63 S 4Matic Coupe, with their twin-turbo V8 engines, delivered even more power, but the GLC 300's steering and handling were disappointing. The GLC 300's fuel economy was EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AMG models had lower ratings.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB had a single engine choice: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), the GLB offered front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. The GLB's fuel economy was EPA-rated at 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined for FWD, and 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined for AWD. The GLB's performance was decent, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 SUV, with a starting price of $49,500, trimmed the 0-60 time to 5.1 seconds. The AWD version of the GLB offered better handling and agility, making it a wise choice for drivers.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC featured a mix of digital and physical controls, with a steep learning curve for new Mercedes drivers. The column shifter required an upward tap for Reverse and a downward tap for Drive, while the seat controls were on the doors. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system, with its touchscreen, thumb pad, and touchpad, became second nature with practice. The GLC had enough room for four adults, but the back seat's reclining mechanism was perplexing and uncomfortable. Cargo space was 19 cubic feet behind the seats and 57 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered a critical choice: whether to add the third-row option. The second row's seatbacks were divided 40:20:40, with each passenger able to adjust their own angle of recline. The seat bottom was divided 40:60, with each section sliding six inches. In three-row GLB SUVs, the second row had an "Easy-Entry" function, and the third row of seats was retractable. Cargo space for the five-passenger GLB was 27.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet behind the first row. In the seven-passenger GLB, cargo space was 5.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 24.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 56.7 cubic feet behind the first row. The third row was suitable for children or brief trips for smaller adults. The rest of the GLB cabin was well-sorted, with comfortable and supportive front seats, modern amenities, and ample storage.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC's MBUX system featured augmented reality for navigation, using a windshield-mounted camera to overlay directional arrows and street names on a live feed of the road. The system also used a cloud-based voice assistant for various tasks and could track behavior to suggest destinations and contacts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with optional wireless device charging. The Off-Road Engineering Package included hill-descent control and additional driving modes for rocky or snowy roads.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, despite being an entry-level model, was packed with technology. The MBUX infotainment system featured voice control, natural language understanding, and keyword activation. The GLB had a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display, with an optional upgrade to 10.25 inches each. The Premium Package added keyless go and a Burmester Surround Sound System. The Multimedia Package included augmented reality for navigation and traffic-sign assist. Other advanced options included adaptive damping, 64-color ambient interior lighting, wireless device charging, parking assistance with surround view, and a head-up display.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC was named a 2019 Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and received a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). New for 2020 was Exit Warning Assist, which used blind-spot-monitoring radar sensors to detect approaching cyclists or cars. Other features included Pre-Safe Sound, which played "pink noise" to protect eardrums in a crash, and Predictive Brake Priming, which moved the brake pads closer to the discs in anticipation of sudden braking.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with standard safety features such as active brake assist, adaptive braking technology, crosswind assist, attention assist, and emergency call service. Available features included active LED headlamps, adaptive high-beam assist, and blind-spot assist. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like active distance assist Distronic adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, and Pre-Safe Plus with Pre-Safe Sound. Pre-Safe Sound emitted a brief interference signal to trigger the stapedius reflex in the ear, helping reduce hearing loss from a car accident. The 2021 GLB had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.