Compare the2025 Mercedes GLCVS 2025 Volvo XC40

The GLC has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The XC40 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLC offers optional Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The XC40 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure or other vehicles.

Both the GLC 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, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mercedes GLC is safer than the XC40:

The Mercedes GLC achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The XC40 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

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

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.

The GLC 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 8 more horsepower (255 vs. 247) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The GLC 350e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 66 more horsepower (313 vs. 247) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 258) than the XC40’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the GLC 300 is faster than the Volvo XC40:

On the EPA test cycle the GLC 350e running on electricity gets better mileage than the XC40 T5 (60 city/70 hwy MPGe vs. 23 city/30 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the GLC running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XC40:

The GLC 350e can travel with zero emissions for 54 miles. The XC40 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The GLC’s standard fuel tank has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the XC40 (16.4 vs. 14.2 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mercedes GLC higher (6 out of 10) than the Volvo XC40 (4). This means the GLC produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC40 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLC, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the XC40.

The GLC’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the XC40 are solid, not vented.

The GLC stops much shorter than the XC40:

For better traction, the GLC’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC40 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The GLC has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The XC40 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLC’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 GLC’s wheelbase is 6.7 inches longer than on the XC40 (113.1 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLC is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than on the XC40.

The GLC 300 4MATIC handles at .88 G’s, while the XC40 B5 Ultra pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLC 300 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC40 B5 Plus (27.3 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLC has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XC40 (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the GLC to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the Mercedes GLC amounts to more than styling. The GLC has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the XC40 (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLC get better fuel mileage.

The GLC has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 4.3 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom, 3.7 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the XC40.

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

The GLC has a much larger cargo volume than the XC40 with its rear seat up (21.9 vs. 20.4 cubic feet).

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

The engine in the GLC is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XC40. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the XC40, the GLC has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLC’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and 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.

The GLC offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The XC40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLC’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Drive standard on the XC40 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLC to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The XC40 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the GLC has standard extendable sun visors. The XC40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GLC 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 Mercedes GLC 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 XC40.

The GLC’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC40’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The GLC is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The XC40 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Motor Trend selected the GLC as their 2017 Sport Utility of the Year. The XC40 has never been chosen.

The Mercedes GLC outsold the Volvo XC40 by 43% during 2023.