2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Cadillac XT6

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, introduced in 2020, joined Mercedes-Benz's extensive SUV lineup, fitting between the smaller GLA and the larger GLC. Measuring 182.4 inches in length with a 111.4-inch wheelbase, the GLB was slightly longer than the GLA but shorter than the GLC. Despite these differences, the GLB shared a strong family resemblance with its siblings, making it hard to distinguish without checking the badge. The GLB's design featured a taut, athletic stance, enhanced by 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 impressed with its modern and stylish cabin. The dashboard's round shapes and polished metal HVAC vents evoked an aerospace vibe, while the single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and infotainment screen added elegance. The cabin's fit and finish were top-notch, typical of Mercedes-Benz. The beefy steering wheel with perforated leather grips added to the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, the XT6 Sport featured a darkened grille, accent pieces, and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with Android Satin finish pockets. The sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights gave the XT6 a premium and distinctly Cadillac look. Other XT6 models had bright surrounds and wheels, and the SUV was available in seven paint colors, with most requiring an additional surcharge. A sunroof was standard across all trims.

Inside, the XT6's cabin closely resembled the XT5's but was slightly larger. It offered three color options: Jet Black, Cirrus, and Maple Sugar. The seats, especially with the available Platinum Package, were luxurious, featuring semi-aniline leather upholstery, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats. However, the dashboard area, while attractive, had some cheaper-looking elements. The steering wheel and console surfaces felt good to the touch, maintaining a premium feel.

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 (DCT) with wheel-mounted shift paddles. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, while 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD) was available for an additional $2,000. 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 offered a four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, riding on 8.0 x 18-inch wheels. Weighing between 3,638 and 3,891 pounds, the GLB delivered a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. For those seeking more performance, the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 trimmed the 0-60 time to 5.1 seconds. The 4MATIC version provided better handling, especially in foul weather, and included the Off-Road Engineering Package with features like hill-start assist and downhill speed regulation.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. This engine was also standard in the XT6 Premium Luxury trim, while the base XT6 Luxury model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine provided smooth and powerful performance, and the nine-speed transmission shifted seamlessly.

The XT6 offered standard FWD and available AWD, with the Sport model exclusively available with AWD. Weighing 4,690 pounds, the XT6 Sport felt heavy, affecting its driving dynamics, especially in tight turns and under harsh acceleration. This weight distribution issue was less pronounced in competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. The XT6's fuel economy was competitive, with the turbo-four engine achieving 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined with AWD. The V6 engine with FWD earned 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/21 mpg combined, while AWD reduced city and highway mpg by one each.

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 provided 27.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet with the second row folded. The seven-passenger model offered 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. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with available heated and ventilated options. The second row was also comfortable for two adults, though a third adult would find it cramped.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven as standard, with an option to upgrade to captain's chairs in the second row for $800. Adults could fit in the third row, a feature that older midsize SUVs struggled with but had become more common in recent years. However, the XT6 had less head-, leg-, shoulder-, and hip room than many competitors in all three rows.

Interior storage was not ideal for families, especially in the front row, where finding space for small items was challenging. The wireless phone charger was a deep-pocket type, making it difficult to access the phone while charging. The XT6 excelled in rear cargo space, with more overall cargo room than many competitors. A standard power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats made loading and unloading easy. The cargo load floor was high, but this was typical for the class. However, there was limited cargo space behind the third row, requiring the seats to be folded for larger loads.

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

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 feed to superimpose information like house numbers and street names over live images. Other advanced options 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 Cadillac XT6's technology was suitable but not cutting-edge. It featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, tri-zone automatic climate control, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, and Teen Driver monitoring. Upgrades included an air ionizer, a 14-speaker Bose audio system, heated/ventilated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging.

The navigation and upgraded Bose audio system could be added for $1,000. The infotainment screen, while functional, was smaller than competitors' and could appear crowded or lacking information depending on the scenario.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with a robust suite 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 rear collision was detected, pre-tensioning seatbelts and applying brakes. Pre-Safe Sound emitted a brief interference signal to trigger the stapedius reflex in the human ear, potentially reducing hearing loss from a collision. The 2021 GLB had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, following-distance indicator, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, a high-definition rearview camera, Safety Alert Seat, and IntelliBeam headlights with rear park assist. Premium Luxury and Sport models also included lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The XT6's lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning systems were less reliable, often failing to read lines until the vehicle was over them. The Driver Assist Package ($1,300) added adaptive cruise control, automatic seat belt tightening, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking. The Enhanced Visibility and Technology Package ($2,350) included an 8.0-inch gauge cluster, head-up display, rear-camera mirror, HD surround vision, surround-vision recorder, rear pedestrian alert, and automatic parking assist with braking. Night Vision technology was available on Premium Luxury and Sport models.

The NHTSA awarded the 2021 XT6 a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover crash test rating. The IIHS named the 2020 XT6 a "Top Safety Pick+," its highest rating, with the 2021 model being structurally similar.