Toyota RAV4 vs Mercedes-Benz GLB

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB slotted into the automaker's SUV lineup between the GLA and the GLC. It came in GLB250 and AMG GLB35 specifications. The GLB250 featured front-wheel drive (FWD) or 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), while the AMG GLB35 had a more powerful drivetrain, including a sophisticated AWD system. This year, satellite radio became part of the Premium Package, and a new AMG Night Package Plus was available with black grille louvers and black badges. Prices started at $38,600 for the GLB250 with FWD, excluding the $1,050 destination charge.

Our test vehicle arrived in AMG GLB35 spec, starting at $51,000 (including destination). Options included metallic paint, 21-inch wheels, heated front seats, an AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in premium leather, and AMG Drive Unit controls on the steering wheel. The test sample also had both the Premium and Multimedia Packages, bringing the total to $57,250 (including destination). The GLB’s design was an acquired taste, with a steep windshield angle, nearly vertical rear window, and short overhangs. However, the 21-inch multi-spoke wheels lent the AMG GLB35 some style and presence. The interior was beautifully rendered, featuring high-definition instrumentation and infotainment displays, and artistic air vents that glowed with ambient lighting after dark.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was offered in six trim levels, ranging from the sub-$30K RAV4 LE to the ventilated-seat-sporting RAV4 Limited, with two off-road-friendly trims in the middle. The 2023 RAV4 stuck closely to the design introduced in 2019, particularly with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which retained the two-part face. We tested the Adventure trim, which shifted the Toyota badge closer to the center of the more aggressively styled grille. It also blacked out the wheels and added a faux skid plate and beefier black cladding around the wheel arches.

The Adventure trim added orange accents to the interior, with seats sporting a stripe down the middle and contrast stitching. Our RAV4 featured a frameless rearview mirror, adding a sense of premium in an otherwise basic interior. Shoppers looking for a more premium feel might consider the Toyota Venza, which offered a more car-like experience compared to the RAV4’s truck-like nature. LE and XLE trims had fabric seats, while XLE Premium upgraded to synthetic leather (SofTex) upholstery. Heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats were available, along with heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel as part of various options packages. Dual-zone climate control was standard on all but the base trim.

Both versions of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB employed a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The AMG GLB35 version was enhanced to produce 302 horsepower between 5,800 rpm and 6,100 rpm, and 295 pound-feet of torque between 3,000 rpm and 4,000 rpm. These were gains of 81 hp and 37 lb-ft over the GLB250's turbo engine. The AMG GLB35 had an AMG SpeedShift eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, AMG Performance variable 4Matic AWD, and an AMG Sport Exhaust system. Dynamic Cornering Assist was a brake-based torque vectoring system, and drivers could calibrate the SUV’s dynamic behavior using both the Dynamic Select and the AMG Dynamics mode settings.

According to Mercedes, the AMG GLB35 zoomed to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, a full 1.8 seconds quicker than a GLB250. The official EPA fuel economy rating for the AMG GLB35 was 22 mpg in combined driving, down from 25 mpg for the GLB 250 4Matic. We averaged 21.8 mpg on our testing loop. The AMG High-Performance Braking System was standard on the AMG GLB35, sporting four-piston front calipers gripping 13.8-inch perforated discs. An AMG Ride Control adaptive damping sport suspension was also standard, along with Direct Steer, a variable steering system. The AMG GLB35 emphasized performance over daily-driving comfort, with some lag in throttle response and a firm ride, especially with the optional 21-inch wheels. However, driving enthusiasts would delight in the AMG GLB35’s demeanor on a writhing mountain road.

The 2023 RAV4 came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), except for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which were AWD by default. Any trim could be upgraded to AWD, adding a Snow Mode. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine made 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While preferable to the continuously variable transmission (CVT) found in competitors like the Honda CR-V, it did not excel in acceleration. The RAV4 Adventure had 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and the same MacPherson independent front suspension and multi-link rear suspension as other RAV4s. The TRD Off-Road, meanwhile, sported 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires, a TRD-tuned suspension, and unique components like shocks and jounce bumpers.

Space-constrained urbanites who needed a relatively roomy but small SUV found plenty to like in the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB. This vehicle was designed for comfort and cargo and even offered an optional third-row seat suitable for children. Standard equipment included dual-zone automatic climate control and eight-way power-adjustable front seats. Simulated leather upholstery called MB-Tex was standard, but real leather was available. Heated and ventilated front seats were available, along with a heated steering wheel and a panoramic glass sunroof. The GLB’s cabin was easy to access, and both the driver and front passenger had an excellent view out. The rear doors opened wide to reveal comfortable seating for two adults, with a third-row seat optional. A power rear liftgate was standard, revealing a 22 cubic-foot cargo area that could hold four full-size suitcases. Folding the second-row seat flat provided 62 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2023 RAV4 was built to seat five. With the moonroof, it provided 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 in the back seats. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 in the second row. The back seat was narrower than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. The RAV4 offered plenty of convenient storage options, with a shelf running the length of the glove compartment and generous door pockets. Front-row center cupholders sat side by side, and the lever-style gear shifter added to the vehicle’s ruggedness. The 2023 RAV4 provided 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row, or 69.8 with the rear seats folded, placing it around the middle of the pack in terms of cargo space.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB’s high-tech interior featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. In the AMG GLB 35, MBUX included a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. All GLB models had standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, as well as Mercedes Me connected services. The optional Premium Package added satellite radio, while the Multimedia Package equipped the GLB with a navigation system with augmented reality. Additional upgrades included wireless smartphone charging, a Burmester premium surround-sound audio system, WiFi service, and an MBUX Interior Assistant gesture control system. The MBUX system could be interacted with via natural voice recognition, the touchscreen display, physical center console controls, and steering wheel controls. The navigation system’s augmented reality technology was especially useful in densely populated areas after dark.

For 2023, Toyota brought a new infotainment system to the RAV4. An 8.0-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 10.5-inch touchscreen for Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, along with voice command. Our RAV4 Adventure tester had the upgraded multimedia system, which included a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim and optional on the TRD Off-Road.

Despite a price tag closing in on $58,000, our 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB test vehicle did not have the optional Driver Assistance Package, which added 12 desirable driving assistance and collision-avoidance technologies. The test vehicle did include Active Brake Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Mercedes-Benz emergency call service. Rain-sensing wipers, an Attention Assist driver monitoring system, and Exit Warning Assist were also standard. Crash-test ratings for the GLB were unavailable.

Standard safety features for the full 2023 RAV4 lineup included lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on the base LE model and standard starting with XLE. The 2023 RAV4 was equipped with the TSS 2.5 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The 2023 RAV4 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).