Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2023 Mercedes GLB

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

The Macan has a standard Multi-collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GLB doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Macan. But it costs extra on the GLB.

The Macan’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLB.

Both the Macan and the GLB 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLB’s (12 vs. 5 years).

The battery on the Macan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Macan’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GLB’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 Macan’s reliability 40 points higher than the GLB.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 34 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 long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 21 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Macan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (261 vs. 221) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 154 more horsepower (375 vs. 221) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 213 more horsepower (434 vs. 221) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 258) than the GLB’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Mercedes GLB:

Regenerative brakes improve the Macan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GLB doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Macan has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLB (19.8 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GLB doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Macan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the GLB are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLB (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 235/55R18).

The Macan’s standard 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLB’s standard 55 series tires. The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the GLB’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the GLB. The Macan’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the GLB.

The Macan has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the GLB; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the GLB don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The GLB doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Macan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.7% to 44.3%) than the GLB’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Macan more stable handling and braking.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the GLB 250 4MATIC pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GLB (8.9 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLB doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a much larger cargo volume than the GLB with its rear seat up (17.2 vs. 5.1 cubic feet).

The Macan has a 4409 lbs. towing capacity. The GLB has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Management on the Macan uses the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The GLB doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the GLB. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Macan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The GLB doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Macan has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the GLB. The Macan also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the GLB.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Macan, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLB isn't recommended.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 6 more times in the last 8 years. The GLB has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Porsche Macan outsold the Mercedes GLB by 61% during 2023.