2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE presented a smoother and less sculpted appearance compared to its predecessors, with softened lines and removed edges and scalloping. This design change contributed to a reduced drag coefficient from .32 to .29, making it a class leader according to Mercedes. The front end saw the most significant transformation, giving the vehicle a handsome, if unoffensive, look. Inside, the GLE offered extra headroom and legroom due to a 3.1-inch extended wheelbase, and for the first time, an optional third row was available. However, the $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint on the test model showed a surprising amount of orange-peel effect, which was disappointing for a premium paint option.

The GLE 350 started at $53,700, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Adding the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system cost an additional $2,500. The test model included numerous options, such as black leather upholstery for $1,620, a $350 Air Balance Package, and $1,100 multi-contour front seats with a massage feature. Despite the luxurious additions, some features like heated and ventilated seats required extra costs. The total price of the test vehicle, including various packages and options, reached $78,370.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB, in contrast, was boxy and tall, sitting on a front-wheel-drive platform with an optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. It featured a long, flat hood, an upright windshield, large side windows, and a nearly vertical rear liftgate, ensuring visual symmetry. The GLB prioritized interior volume over rakish looks, with robust standard roof rails ready for action. The test vehicle, painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, offered a stylish and attitude-filled appearance.

Starting at $36,600, the GLB 250 4Matic test model had a window sticker reading $55,890, including nearly every option package. The interior featured dual 10.25-inch instrumentation and infotainment screens, ambient lighting, and a Burmester premium sound system. The cabin blended high style with simplicity, though some metallic trim pieces revealed their budget-friendly nature. The GLB's interior was a lovely place to spend time, with comfortable and supportive seats, though heating and ventilation were additional costs.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 used a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. While the engine provided ample power at speed, it felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag and the vehicle's nearly 5,000-pound weight. The start-stop system was inelegant, and the 9-speed automatic transmission, though decent, lacked the smoothness of the BMW X5's 8-speed. The GLE 350 4Matic's starting price of $56,200 was competitive, but the BMW X5's standard turbocharged inline-6 offered more power and better performance. The GLE 350's fuel economy was impressive, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The SUV accelerated to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, feeling faster due to the engine's wide torque band and snappy eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The DCT powered the front wheels, with 4Matic AWD available for optimized grip and performance. The test vehicle, equipped with an adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels, delivered a soft, pillowy ride in Comfort mode and a more responsive experience in Sport mode. The GLB's unusual driving position and big windows made it fun to drive, though the brakes faded prematurely during enthusiastic driving. The test vehicle achieved 21.4 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 26-mpg estimate.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE's extended wheelbase provided extra space, especially in the second row. Depending on options, the GLE offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, with a total of 79.4 cubic feet with the seats lowered. The interior featured dual 12.3-inch screens, setting a new standard for dash design and customizability. The seats were comfortable, with a "Seat Kinetics" system to prevent cramping, though the lumbar support was challenging to adjust. The steering wheel felt great but often blocked part of the screen. The upgraded Burmester stereo provided excellent sound, though the bass caused vibrations through the brake pedal.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered generous interior dimensions, with enough space for four adults to sit comfortably. The optional third row, unavailable in the test vehicle, was a unique feature for a compact SUV. The second-row seat slid forward and back, allowing for extra space for third-row passengers or cargo. The front seats offered power adjustment but lacked heating and ventilation, which would have added over $1,000 to the price. Cargo space measured 22 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The GLB's traditional SUV roofline provided more space than the increasingly popular SUV coupe designs.

The 2020 GLE-Class featured the new MBUX infotainment system, which was deep and daunting at first but became second nature with use. The system included two giant 12.3-inch screens, a head-up display (HUD), and options like augmented reality for directions and traffic signals. The HUD was comprehensive and allowed drivers to largely ignore the screens. The new voice control system, though great in the A-Class, didn't work as well in the GLE. The driver-assistance tech was better than BMW's but still had issues at high speeds, often fighting the driver and getting confused by shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, costing an extra $2,200, replaced the standard 7-inch screens with twin 10.25-inch displays, offering lush graphics, high customization, and fast response. The MBUX infotainment system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and natural voice recognition technology. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, using the 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 a valuable addition, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class had no current testing data from the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems. Attention Assist monitored eye contact and head position to anticipate driver fatigue, while Seat Kinetics made slight adjustments to seating position to prevent cramping. However, the full suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise, auto braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist, had issues at high speeds, often fighting the driver and getting confused by shadows and unexpected lines.

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. The optional Driver Assistance Package added active speed- and lane-maintenance systems, evasive steering assistance, and an automatic emergency stop assistance system. Enhancements to the standard Pre-Safe technology included rear-impact preparation and ear damage protection at the moment of impact. The advanced driving assistance and collision avoidance systems operated with accuracy and refinement, encouraging their use. However, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had performed crash tests on the new GLB at the time of publication.