Compare the2023 Mercedes GLBVS 2023 Volvo XC40

Both the GLB and the XC40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

There are over 36 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLB’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 67 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 61 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.

The GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (221 vs. 194) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 221) than the XC40 B4’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes GLB is faster than the XC40 B5:

The GLB has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (15.9 vs. 14.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the GLB’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the XC40:

The GLB stops much shorter than the XC40:

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 XC40 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GLB has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC40’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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 XC40’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 XC40 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLB’s wheelbase is 5 inches longer than on the XC40 (111.4 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The GLB 250 4MATIC handles at .89 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Ultimate AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLB 250 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus AWD (27.5 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The design of the Mercedes GLB amounts to more than styling. The GLB has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the XC40 (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLB get better fuel mileage.

The GLB offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the XC40 can only carry 5.

The GLB has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear legroom than the XC40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GLB’s middle row seats recline. The XC40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The GLB’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC40.

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 XC40’s liftover is 29.6 inches.

The GLB’s cargo area is larger than the XC40’s in almost every dimension:

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the XC40, 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 standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 XC40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 XC40.

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 XC40 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 XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Mercedes GLB outsold the Volvo XC40 by 28% during the 2022 model year.