2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, introduced in 2020, was a fresh addition to Mercedes-Benz's extensive SUV lineup. It fit snugly between the smaller GLA and the larger GLC, with a length of 182.4 inches and a wheelbase of 111.4 inches. Despite its unique dimensions, the GLB shared a strong family resemblance with its siblings, making it hard 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 on soft roads and speed humps compared to the lower-slung GLA and GLC.

Inside, the GLB was a modern marvel. The dashboard featured a striking repetition of round shapes, 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 Nissan Armada, a close cousin of the Nissan Patrol, received a significant facelift for the model year. It retained its robust capability while adopting a more modern look in line with Nissan's new signature design. The Armada was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with the Midnight Edition Package exclusive to the SL trim. The redesigned exterior featured a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED headlights and taillights, giving it a contemporary yet traditionally beefy appearance.

The Armada's body-on-frame construction saw changes primarily from the A-pillar forward, with a mostly new rear. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its underbite, which quickly picked up dirt and mud. The Midnight Edition Package added dark accents, including black exterior logos, mirrors, roof rails, and skid plates. The new Coulis Red Pearl color option joined a palette of other attractive hues. While the interior tech saw upgrades, the overall design remained dated, with some materials and design choices making the cabin feel past its prime.

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 respectable, with EPA estimates of 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for FWD and 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for AWD.

Despite its curb weight ranging from 3,638 to 3,891 pounds, the GLB was a decent performer, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. The 4MATIC version offered 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, enhancing the GLB's off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a robust Endurance 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque when running on premium fuel. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with automatic four-wheel drive available. Despite its hefty weight, maxing out over 6,000 pounds, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and up to 9.2 inches of ground clearance.

However, the Armada's fuel economy was less impressive, with EPA estimates of 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined for RWD and 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for 4WD. The Armada's handling had improved over the years, making highway driving more manageable, but its large turning radius and maneuverability in tight spaces remained challenging. The SUV's towing capacity was a standout feature, with a best-in-class maximum of 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

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 varied depending on the configuration. The five-passenger GLB offered 27.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet with the second row folded. The seven-passenger model provided 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 limited legroom and headroom. The front seats were highly adjustable and supportive, with available heated and ventilated options, while the second row was comfortable for two adults.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as Nissan's flagship SUV, offered practicality and functionality for families. Its broad interior was evident at the dashboard, with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen placing some controls at a distance from the driver. The front seats were power-adjustable, with 10-way adjustments for the driver and six-way for the passenger, including power lumbar support.

The Armada's second row could be configured with captain's chairs in the SL and Platinum trims, reducing seating capacity from eight to seven but enhancing comfort. The third row was less comfortable for average-sized adults but could accommodate them in a pinch. Cargo space behind the third row was 16.5 cubic feet, expanding to 49.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 95.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The high load floor made loading and unloading challenging, especially for petite individuals. Small-item storage was limited, with the center console storage bin being the exception.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, despite being an entry-level model, was packed with technology. The standard Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system featured voice control, natural language understanding, and keyword activation. The GLB came with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display, along with smartphone integration via Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Keyless start, cruise control, and a power liftgate were also standard.

The Premium Package upgraded the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen to 10.25 inches each, added keyless go, and offered 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. Other advanced options 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 Nissan Armada saw significant tech upgrades with its refresh. The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen was the largest in its class and highly responsive. Standard features included navigation, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB Type-A and Type-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, NissanConnect Services, keyless entry with push-button start, Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Available features included a wireless charging pad, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, a rearview camera mirror, and a second-row entertainment system. The camera mirror allowed the rearview mirror to display a live image from the rearview camera. The Armada Platinum trim came with these features as standard. The analog tachometer and speedometer, along with a functional but unattractive steering wheel, provided limited control over the driver information screen and infotainment system.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB benefited from Mercedes-Benz's reputation for safety innovation. Standard features included active brake assist, adaptive braking technology with hill-start assist and brake hold, crosswind assist, attention assist, and 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 rear collision was detected, while Pre-Safe Sound emitted a brief interference signal to trigger the stapedius reflex in the human ear, potentially reducing hearing loss from a car accident. The 2021 GLB had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, except for a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, reflecting a 23.7-percent rollover risk. Every Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear door alert. Optional features included a rear camera mirror and surround-view camera system. However, the Armada lacked advanced driving assist technologies like Nissan ProPilot Assist or Super Cruise.