2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, introduced in 2020, fit snugly between the smaller GLA and the larger GLC in Mercedes-Benz's extensive SUV lineup. Measuring 182.4 inches in length with a 111.4-inch wheelbase, the GLB was slightly more compact than the GLC but larger than the GLA. Despite these distinct measurements, the GLB shared a familial resemblance with its lineup-mates, making it difficult to distinguish without checking the badge. The GLB boasted 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 marvel. The interior featured a striking repetition of round shapes across the dash, with polished metal HVAC vents evoking an aerospace vibe. The single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and the infotainment screen added to the cabin's elegance. The fit and finish were top-notch, typical of Mercedes-Benz, and the beefy steering wheel with perforated leather grips added to the driving pleasure.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC, on the other hand, embraced a more timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, contrasting with the aggressive styling trends of its contemporaries. The long hood and wide grille gave the GLC a dramatic stance, reminiscent of a raised C-Class or E-Class sedan, emphasizing its car-like characteristics. The GLC's cabin was an automotive work of art, with flowing lines and a floating center touchscreen that maintained the brand's move towards larger screens and a minimalist approach.

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 visually appealing alternative. Standard equipment on the GLC 300 included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate. Inside, it featured synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a fully digital instrument panel. The MBUX infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto was also standard.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with a single engine option: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder producing 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and 4MATIC all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000. The GLB's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for the FWD version and 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for the AWD version.

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. For those seeking more power, the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 offered a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds. The 4MATIC version provided better handling and agility, making it a wise choice for those planning to drive in various conditions. The Off-Road Engineering Package, standard with 4MATIC, included features like hill-start assist and downhill speed regulation.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLC offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with 4MATIC all-wheel drive available. The GLC's Dynamic Select system included Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, enhancing its performance capabilities.

For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC 43 came with a twin-turbocharged V6 producing 385 horsepower, while the AMG GLC 63 offered a twin-turbo V8 with 469 horsepower, and the 63 S variant delivered 503 horsepower. These AMG models provided sports car-like acceleration and cornering capabilities, making them ideal for performance enthusiasts.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered a critical choice: whether to add the third-row option. This decision significantly impacted the second row and cargo compartments. The second row featured a 40:20:40 split seatback with adjustable recline angles 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 in use.

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 model, 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 best suited for children or short trips for smaller adults due to its modest legroom and headroom.

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 interior featured a decently sized center console, deep door pockets, and retractable cupholders, making good use of its space.

Rear-seat space in the GLC was adequate, with no need to slide the seats forward for legroom. The SUV offered plenty of headroom, while the Coupe's low roofline reduced headroom. Overall, the GLC's interior was well-designed for comfort and practicality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was packed with technology, including the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with voice control and natural language understanding. Standard features included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display, a rearview camera, and smartphone integration with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium Package upgraded the screens to 10.25 inches each and added keyless go and a Burmester Surround Sound System.

The optional Multimedia Package included navigation with augmented reality (AR) and traffic-sign assist. AR navigation used a camera feed to superimpose information like house numbers and street names over the map, enhancing the driving experience. Other available features included adaptive damping, 64-color ambient lighting, wireless device charging, NFC pairing, parking assistance with surround view, active parking assist, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC also featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch center touchscreen, a center console touch controller, and advanced voice control. The system was intuitive, with both the touch controller and touchscreen offering a seamless user experience. The steering wheel had touch-sensitive pads for customizing the digital instrument panel and navigating the main infotainment screen.

The GLC's infotainment system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone music apps required navigating through menus. Despite this minor inconvenience, the system was highly regarded for its functionality and ease of use.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with a host of standard safety features, including 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 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 when an imminent collision was detected, while Pre-Safe Sound emitted a brief interference signal to trigger a protective reflex in the human ear, reducing the risk of hearing loss from a car accident. The 2021 GLB had not yet been rated for safety by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC came with standard safety tech, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front- and rear parking sensors, hands-free parking assist, and a driver drowsiness monitor. The parking and proximity sensors were overly sensitive, but could be deactivated if desired.

Optional safety features included a 360-degree parking camera, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning. These features enhanced the GLC's safety profile, making it a strong contender in its class.