2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was a relatively new addition to the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup, positioned between the smaller GLA and the larger GLC. Despite its unique dimensions, the GLB shared a familial resemblance with its lineup mates, showcasing the brand's signature design language. It featured an athletic stance and a ground clearance of 7.9 inches, making it more versatile for soft roads and speed humps. Inside, the GLB impressed with its modern design, highlighted by round shapes across the dash and polished metal details. The cabin boasted excellent fit and finish, with a single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and infotainment screen, providing an elegant and attractive interior.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover, on the other hand, exuded luxury and sophistication. With a starting price of $92,000, it offered a wide range of powertrains and personalization options, allowing for a highly customized experience. The Range Rover's design was timeless, with hallmark cues like blacked-out windshield and roof pillars, large nameplate lettering, and clean styling. Inside, the cabin was a testament to luxury, featuring an Ivory-color interior with a mid-century modern ambiance. While the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system wasn't as advanced as newer models, it still provided a satisfactory experience. The Range Rover's interior was a blend of opulence and functionality, offering a high-contrast design and a sense of grandeur.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was equipped with a single engine option, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the GLB offered a choice between front-wheel drive and optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLB's performance was decent, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. The 4MATIC version provided better handling and agility, making it a wise choice for those seeking improved driving dynamics. The GLB's fuel economy was respectable, with EPA estimates of 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway for the FWD version.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover's four-wheel drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, ensured its legendary off-road capabilities. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth and wafting ride, while the SUV's power delivery was seamless and quiet. However, the Range Rover's steering was relatively slow, and its weight and tall center of gravity resulted in some side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA rated the Range Rover's fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, with our test vehicle averaging 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered a choice between a two-row and a three-row configuration. The third-row option affected the second row and cargo compartments, with the second row featuring a 40:20:40 split seatback and a 40:60 split seat bottom. The third row was retractable, providing flexibility for passengers or cargo. Cargo space in the two-row GLB was 27.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet with the second row folded. In the three-row version, cargo space was reduced to 5.1 cubic feet behind the third row. The GLB's front seats were comfortable and highly adjustable, while the second row offered ample comfort for two adults.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery. However, the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in a slouched seating position. Despite this, the back seat offered quad-zone climate control and heated and ventilated outboard seating positions. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments and a refrigerated center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet. The Range Rover's cargo area featured a suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was equipped with the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring voice control and natural language understanding. The standard setup included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display. Smartphone integration with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto was standard, along with a power liftgate. The Premium Package upgraded the displays to 10.25 inches each and added a Burmester Surround Sound System. The optional Multimedia Package included augmented reality navigation and traffic-sign assist. Additional options included adaptive damping, ambient lighting, wireless charging, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system, rendered using three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, offered numerous features and functions. The Range Rover's technology included a comprehensive head-up display, although it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The SUV also featured a waterproof Activity Key wristband, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside while engaging in outdoor activities. The iGuide smartphone app served as a digital owner's manual, providing assistance with the InControl system.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with a range of standard safety features, including active brake assist, adaptive braking technology, crosswind assist, and attention assist. Available safety features included active LED headlamps, adaptive high-beam assist, and blind-spot assist. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and Pre-Safe Plus with Pre-Safe Sound. The GLB had not yet been rated for safety by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, providing a comprehensive suite of safety features. However, the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations.