Cadillac XT4 vs Mercedes-Benz GLB

Cadillac employed a “Y” trim level strategy for the 2020 XT4, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle featured the Premium Luxury trim, which emphasized comfort over sportiness. It came with front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4's exterior was visually appealing, especially with the 20-inch alloy wheels, and had a crisp, tailored styling. The interior was pleasant, with competitive quality materials, though some elements like the plain black trim around the power window controls felt out of place in a luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, introduced in 2020, slotted between the smaller GLA and larger GLC in the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. Measuring 182.4 inches long with a 111.4-inch wheelbase, the GLB had a distinct yet familiar Mercedes-Benz design. It featured a healthy 7.9 inches of ground clearance, making it more versatile for various road conditions. Inside, the GLB was a modern stunner with a striking repetition of round shapes across the dash and polished metal details. The single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and infotainment screen was elegant, and the cabin's fit and finish were excellent, providing a luxurious feel.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The EPA estimated a fuel economy of 26 mpg for the FWD model, though the test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's fat band of torque contributed to its lively driving character, but the FWD model experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem somewhat mitigated in Sport mode. The XT4's interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with both large and small bumps, though the oversized wheels offered impressive grip.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, generating 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 26 mpg combined for both FWD and AWD models. 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, especially on dry roads and during cornering maneuvers. 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 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable experience for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather seats, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, providing a roomy feel for rear passengers, though the seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the interior even during a heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space. However, the cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered an optional third-row seat, affecting the second row and cargo compartments. The second row had adjustable seatbacks and a sliding function for easy entry to the third row, which folded flat when not in use. Cargo space varied, with 27.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 62.0 cubic feet with the second row folded in the five-passenger model. The seven-passenger model had 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 front seats were highly adjustable and supportive, with available heating and ventilation. The second row was comfortable for two adults, with modern amenities like door pockets, map pockets, and cupholders.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous iterations. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, with intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen could be larger, and integrating the climate system into the voice-recognition system would be beneficial. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though the test car lacked some advanced features like a head-up display or a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring voice control, natural language understanding, and keyword activation. The standard setup included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen multimedia display, with a new-generation touchpad in the center console. Smartphone integration with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto was standard, along with keyless start and a power liftgate. The Premium Package upgraded the displays to 10.25 inches each and added keyless go. The optional Multimedia Package included navigation with augmented reality and traffic-sign assist. Other advanced options included adaptive damping, 64-color ambient interior lighting, wireless device charging, parking assistance, and a head-up display.

For the 2020 model year, the Cadillac XT4 added several standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and two years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control was available with the Driver Assist Package, which also included high-speed automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and Good ratings from the IIHS for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with standard safety features like active brake assist, adaptive braking technology, crosswind assist, attention assist, and Mercedes-Benz emergency call service. Available 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, 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 during an imminent collision, while Pre-Safe Sound emitted a signal to trigger a protective reflex in the ear. The 2021 GLB had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.