2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, introduced in 2020, was a fresh addition to Mercedes-Benz's extensive SUV lineup. It slotted between the smaller GLA and the larger GLC, with a length of 182.4 inches and a wheelbase of 111.4 inches. Despite its distinct measurements, the GLB shared a strong family resemblance with its lineup-mates, making it hard to distinguish 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. Inside, the GLB was a modern stunner with round shapes across the dash, polished metal HVAC vents, and a single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and infotainment screen. The cabin boasted excellent fit and finish, with a beefy steering wheel featuring perforated leather grips.

Reflecting its origins, the 2021 INFINITI QX80 wore a mix of Nissan Armada and Infiniti styling elements. The body shell carried over from the Armada, evident in the roofline profile and rear window curve. The QX80's face, however, was all Infiniti, with a grille and headlight design introduced in 2018, giving it an assertive look. Standard features included LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, with automatic high beams and windshield-wiper interlock. The base Luxe trim rode on 20-inch wheels, while Premium Select and Sensory trims got 22-inch wheels. Inside, the QX80's design was closer to the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery. However, the dashboard and switchgear were recognizably Nissan, and the foot-operated parking brake was not a high-end setup. Despite this, the interior felt properly luxurious, though buyers seeking exclusivity might be disappointed.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured a single engine choice: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline unit producing 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with wheel-mounted shift paddles. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, while 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD) was a $2,000 option. The GLB's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for FWD and 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for AWD. Built on a FWD platform, the GLB had four-wheel independent suspension and 8.0 x 18-inch wheels. With a curb weight ranging from 3,638 to 3,891 pounds, the GLB could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph. The 4MATIC version offered better handling and agility, especially with the Off-Road Engineering Package, which included hill-start assist, downhill speed regulation, and off-road animation displays.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with a 5.6-liter V8 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with 4WD available for $3,100. The V8 produced 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, providing responsive performance, though transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80's body-on-frame construction was complemented by front and rear independent suspension, with a rear auto-leveling feature. Sensory models included Hydraulic Body Motion Control to limit body roll during cornering. The QX80 offered a comfortable ride, though some shudders were detectable over bumps. It felt less composed in corners, with noticeable body roll, but speed-sensitive power steering promoted a relaxed driving style. The QX80's 4WD system featured low range and a forward skid plate, enhancing off-road capability. It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator but more than the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered an optional third-row seat, which affected the second row and cargo compartments. The second row had a 40:20:40 split seatback with adjustable recline and a 40:60 split seat bottom that could slide six inches. In three-row models, the second row had an "Easy-Entry" function for easier access to the third row, which folded flat when not needed. Cargo space in the five-passenger GLB was 27.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet with the second row folded. 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 with both rows folded. The third row was suitable for children or short trips for smaller adults. The front row offered comfortable, highly adjustable seats with available heating and ventilation, while the second row was comfortable for two adults.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring second-row captain's chairs and a center console. An eight-seat configuration with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was optional. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver's seat and an eight-way front passenger's seat, both with two-way lumbar support and heating and cooling on Sensory models. However, the front seats lacked thigh support. The QX80 offered competitive passenger space in all three rows, with enough room for adults in the third row. Models with second-row captain's chairs had a large console with storage space, climate controls, and USB ports, though third-row passengers lacked charging ports. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all three rows in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third row and second-row captain's chairs folded. The power liftgate and power 60/40-split-folding third row made switching between passenger and cargo hauling easier.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was packed with technology, including the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with voice control, natural language understanding, and keyword activation. Standard features included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display, a new-generation touchpad, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, keyless start, cruise control, and a power liftgate. The Premium Package added a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and touchscreen media display, keyless go, and an optional Burmester Surround Sound System. The Multimedia Package included navigation with augmented reality (AR) and traffic-sign assist. AR navigation used a camera in the windshield to superimpose information on live images. Other available features included adaptive damping, 64-color ambient interior lighting, wireless device charging, NFC pairing, parking assistance with surround view, active parking assist, and a head-up display (HUD).

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured the standard Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system with 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard features also included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with an optional 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system. The touchscreens were backed by analog controls, but the user interface was not intuitive, requiring trial and error to operate. The standard Smart Rearview Mirror could switch from a conventional mirror to a streaming-video display, eliminating blind spots. The mirror was larger for 2021 and canceled out LED flicker from other cars' headlights. The Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system was also available, providing individual front and rear views and an overhead view.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with standard safety features such as active brake assist, adaptive braking technology with hill-start assist and brake hold, crosswind assist, attention assist, and Mercedes-Benz emergency call service. Available safety 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 lane change assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, active speed limit assist, active blind-spot assist, active lane-keeping assist, and Pre-Safe Plus with Pre-Safe Sound. Pre-Safe activated safety measures in the cabin during an imminent collision, while Pre-Safe Sound emitted a brief interference signal to trigger the stapedius reflex, reducing hearing loss from a car accident. The 2021 GLB had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS had not tested the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention. These features were common in mainstream SUVs, but Infiniti made them standard equipment.