Compare the2025 Volvo XC40VS 2024 Mercedes GLC

Both the XC40 and GLC have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC40 Ultra has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The GLC’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The XC40 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GLC 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 XC40. But it costs extra on the GLC.

The XC40’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 GLC.

Both the XC40 and the GLC 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, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The XC40’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the GLC’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC40 for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Volvo 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 GLC.

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 XC40’s reliability 29 points higher than the GLC.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 4 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The XC40 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GLC doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The XC40 stops shorter than the GLC:

The XC40’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GLC’s standard 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the XC40’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the GLC’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Volvo XC40 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 pounds less than the Mercedes GLC.

The XC40 is 10.9 inches shorter than the GLC, making the XC40 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Volvo XC40 amounts to more than styling. The XC40 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .34 Cd. That is significantly lower than the GLC (.39). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the XC40 get better fuel mileage.

The XC40 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC with its rear seat folded (57.5 vs. 56.3 cubic feet).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XC40 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLC only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the XC40’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the GLC’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”