Compare the2023 Mercedes GLBVS 2023 BMW X5

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row 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 BMW X5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLB are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the GLB and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLB’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the GLB gets better mileage than the X5:

Both the GLB and the X5 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights 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. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the X5 M50i.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLB higher (5 out of 10) than the BMW X5 (3). This means the GLB produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the X5 every 15,000 miles.

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 X5 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The GLB stops much shorter than the X5:

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 X5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The GLB 250 4MATIC handles at .89 G’s, while the X5 xDrive pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the GLB’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the X5’s (38.4 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Mercedes GLB may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 1350 pounds less than the BMW X5.

The GLB is 11.9 inches shorter than the X5, making the GLB easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The GLB is 6.7 inches narrower than the X5, making the GLB easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The design of the Mercedes GLB amounts to more than styling. The GLB has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is significantly lower than the X5 (.36 to .38) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLB get better fuel mileage.

The GLB has 1.3 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the X5.

The front step up height for the GLB is 2.5 inches lower than the X5 (17” vs. 19.5”). The GLB’s rear step up height is 2.5 inches lower than the X5’s (17.5” vs. 20”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the GLB easier. The GLB’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the X5’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The GLB’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

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 X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the GLB owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the GLB will cost $2640 to $4685 less than the X5 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mercedes GLB will be $18865 to $35654 less than for the BMW X5.