Both the GLB and the XC60 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, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.
Compare the2025 Mercedes GLBVS 2025 Volvo XC60
Safety
Warranty
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.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 36 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.
Engine
As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLB is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:
|
GLB |
XC60 |
Zero to 60 MPH |
6.2 sec |
7.3 sec |
Quarter Mile |
14.8 sec |
15.5 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
94.1 MPH |
86.1 MPH |
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the GLB gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:
|
|
|
MPG |
GLB |
|||
|
FWD |
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. |
25 city/33 hwy |
|
AWD |
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. |
24 city/33 hwy |
XC60 |
|||
|
AWD |
2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl. Hybrid |
28 city/28 hwy |
|
|
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. |
23 city/30 hwy |
Both the GLB and the XC60 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. The XC60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.
Transmission
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 XC60 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.
Brakes and Stopping
The GLB stops shorter than the XC60:
|
GLB |
XC60 |
|
60 to 0 MPH |
130 feet |
131 feet |
Motor Trend |
Tires and Wheels
The GLB’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 XC60’s standard 60 series tires.
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 XC60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.
Suspension and Handling
The front and rear suspension of the GLB uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.
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 XC60 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.
The GLB 250 4MATIC handles at .83 G’s, while the XC60 T8 Core pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.
Chassis
The Mercedes GLB may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 850 pounds less than the Volvo XC60.
The GLB is 3 inches shorter than the XC60, making the GLB easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
The GLB is 6.5 inches narrower than the XC60, making the GLB easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.
Passenger Space
The GLB offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the XC60 can only carry 5.
The GLB has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear legroom than the XC60.
For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GLB’s middle row seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.
The front step up height for the GLB is 2 inches lower than the XC60 (17” vs. 19”). The GLB’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the XC60’s (17.5” vs. 19.5”).
Cargo Capacity
The GLB’s cargo area is larger than the XC60’s in almost every dimension:
|
GLB |
XC60 |
Length to seat (2nd/1st) |
32.5”/71” |
37.8”/68.8” |
Max Width |
41.6” |
43.5” |
Min Width |
41.6” |
41.5” |
Height |
37.2” |
30.6” |
Ergonomics
The GLB’s standard easy entry and exit feature glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.
The Mercedes GLB has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the XC60.
To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLB has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the XC60.
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 XC60 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.
The GLB’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park by itself, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.
Model Availability
The GLB is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC60 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.
Economic Advantages
The GLB will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the GLB will retain 61.32% of its original price after five years, while the XC60 only retains 47.41% to 49.36%.