Compare the2022 Mercedes GLBVS 2021 Hyundai Tucson

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLB have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Tucson doesn’t offer pretensioners for the middle seat belts.

The GLB’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Tucson doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes GLB has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the GLB and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the GLB has a standard 800-amp battery. The Tucson’s 600-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 60 more horsepower (221 vs. 161) and 108 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 150) than the Tucson’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (221 vs. 181) and 83 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 175) than the Tucson’s optional 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mercedes GLB is faster than the Hyundai Tucson:

	GLB	Tucson 2.0	Tucson 2.4
Zero to 30 MPH	2.7 sec	4 sec	3.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	11 sec	9.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.8 sec	6.9 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	18.3 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	80.2 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLB gets better mileage than the Tucson:

			MPG
GLB
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
Tucson
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/25 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the GLB’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Tucson doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes GLB, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tucson.

The GLB offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Tucson doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tucson:

	GLB	Tucson
Front Rotors	13 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.9 inches

The GLB stops shorter than the Tucson:

	GLB	Tucson
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLB has larger tires than the Tucson (235/55R18 vs. 225/60R17).

The GLB’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson SE/Value’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLB has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tucson SE/Value. The GLB’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Tucson Sport.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the GLB can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Tucson doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The GLB offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Tucson’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLB’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Tucson doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLB’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the Tucson (111.4 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The GLB 250 4MATIC handles at .82 G’s, while the Tucson Limited AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLB 250 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Tucson SE (27.5 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLB has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson (7.9 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the GLB to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The GLB offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Tucson can only carry 5.

The GLB has 1.1 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the Tucson.

The front step up height for the GLB is 2 inches lower than the Tucson (17” vs. 19”). The GLB’s rear step up height is 2.5 inches lower than the Tucson’s (17.5” vs. 20”).

Cargo Capacity

The GLB’s cargo area provides more volume than the Tucson.

	GLB	Tucson
Second Seat Folded	62 cubic feet	61.9 cubic feet

The GLB’s cargo area is larger than the Tucson’s in almost every dimension:

	GLB	Tucson
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	32.5”/71”	34.3”/69.5”
Max Width	41.6”	53”
Min Width	41.6”	40.7”
Height	37.2”	35.2”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the GLB. The Tucson doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The GLB uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Tucson uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Mercedes service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 27% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the GLB, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Tucson doesn’t offer a memory system.

The GLB’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Tucson doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GLB’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tucson’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

If the windows are left open on the GLB the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Tucson can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLB’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Tucson’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The GLB’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Tucson Value/SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate.

When the GLB is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Tucson’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The GLB’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Tucson offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The GLB offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Tucson.

The GLB has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Tucson SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate.

Both the GLB and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the GLB has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tucson doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The GLB offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Tucson doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLB’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Tucson doesn’t offer an automated parking system.