Compare the2022 Mercedes GLBVS 2021 Tesla Model X

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 Model X doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GLB’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The Model X doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

The GLB offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model X only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The GLB’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model X doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The GLB has standard Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model X doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the GLB and the Model X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

The GLB’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Model X’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are almost 3 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLB’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the GLB’s reliability 17 points higher than the Model X.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 25th in initial quality. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 31st.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mercedes 15th in reliability. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mercedes 5 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

The GLB 250’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel is 492.9 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model X’s range is only 300 to 371 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 15 minutes for only a 49% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 82 hours and 53 minutes.

Both the GLB and the Model X have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All GLBs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The GLB stops much shorter than the Model X:

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 Model X doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GLB 250 4MATIC handles at .89 G’s, while the Model X pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the GLB’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the Model X’s (38.4 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

The Mercedes GLB may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1500 to 1550 pounds less than the Tesla Model X.

The GLB is 1 foot, 3.9 inches shorter than the Model X, making the GLB easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GLB is 6.5 inches narrower than the Model X, making the GLB easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The GLB’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Model X 6-Passenger doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the GLB’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Model X doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

An ASSYST PLUS is standard on the GLB to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model X.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model X, the GLB has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLB’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Model X’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GLB has a standard rear wiper. The Model X doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The GLB’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model X doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GLB keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Model X doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The GLB has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Model X doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

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 Model X.

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 Model X doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLB is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Model X doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Mercedes GLB outsold the Tesla Model X by 13% during the 2021 model year.