2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was a fresh 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 siblings, making it difficult to distinguish without checking the badge. Its design was characterized by an athletic stance and a ground clearance of 7.9 inches, offering a more forgiving ride over soft roads and speed humps. Inside, the GLB impressed with its modern and stylish cabin, featuring round shapes across the dash, polished metal HVAC vents, and a single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and infotainment screen. The interior boasted excellent fit and finish, with a beefy steering wheel wrapped in perforated leather.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, capturing the essence of luxury SUVs. Its design referenced the larger Range Rover's profile, scaled into a sporty package with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a distinctive trapezoidal roof. The Velar's exterior was a blend of blocky and streamlined elements, with flush door handles and special details like taillight lenses with depth illusions. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. Inside, the Velar's cabin was sleek, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The three screens offered sharp graphics, and upper trims featured richer materials and colors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It 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 and 30 mpg highway for the FWD version, and 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway for the AWD version. Weighing between 3,638 and 3,891 pounds, the GLB offered a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. The 4MATIC version provided better handling and agility, especially with the Off-Road Engineering Package.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's ride was smooth and controlled, with an optional air suspension providing a plush "magic carpet" ride. The Terrain Response system offered six driving modes, but the Velar's street-focused design limited its off-road capabilities. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system delivered up to 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, enhancing performance and efficiency.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered a choice between a two-row and a three-row configuration. The second row featured a 40:20:40 split seatback with adjustable recline and a 40:60 split seat bottom that could slide six inches. The third row was retractable, providing flexibility for passengers or cargo. The five-passenger GLB offered 27.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet with the second row folded. The seven-passenger version had 5.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 24.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 56.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The front seats were comfortable and highly adjustable, with available heated and ventilated options.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to its stylish design. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for aesthetics, with a lack of discrete parking brake control being a notable flaw. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, and the cabin featured high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. However, the Velar's redesign of critical controls for cost-cutting purposes was frustrating.

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

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system offered a simplified layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. It featured a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest detours, while the 4x4 app provided off-road measurements. The instrument panel offered customizable layouts, but the driving assist display lacked detail. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, 14-way power heated front seats, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with standard safety features such as active brake assist, adaptive braking technology, 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, active steering assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, and Pre-Safe Plus with Pre-Safe Sound. The GLB had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European NCAP, with a five-star rating and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard driving assists included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.