Compare the2023 Hyundai Kona NVS 2023 Mercedes AMG GLB

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Kona N are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The AMG GLB doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Kona N’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG GLB.

Both the Kona N and the AMG GLB have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona N the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 231 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG GLB has not been tested, yet.

The Kona N comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The AMG GLB’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Kona N 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the AMG GLB. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the AMG GLB ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Kona N’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the AMG GLB’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona N for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the AMG GLB.

There are over 2 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Kona N’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 11 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

For better stopping power the Kona N’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG GLB:

The Kona N’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG GLB’s standard 50 series tires.

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

For better maneuverability, the Kona N’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the AMG GLB’s (38.3 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Hyundai Kona N may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG GLB.

The Kona N is 1 foot, 5.2 inches shorter than the AMG GLB, making the Kona N easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front step up height for the Kona N is 1 inches lower than the AMG GLB (16” vs. 17”). The Kona N’s rear step up height is 1.4 inches lower than the AMG GLB’s (16.1” vs. 17.5”).

The Kona N has a much larger cargo volume than the AMG GLB with its rear seat up (19.2 vs. 12.4 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Kona N has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the AMG GLB only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Kona N has standard extendable sun visors. The AMG GLB doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Kona N has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the AMG GLB.

The Kona was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2019. The AMG GLB has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Hyundai Kona outsold the Mercedes GLB by almost three to one during 2022.