Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs Volvo XC40
What's the difference?

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

$65,400 - $106,228

2026 price

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Volvo XC40

$35,490 - $55,990

2024 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

2024 Volvo XC40

By Tim Nicholson

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.5L

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Fuel Efficiency

6.1L/100km (combined)

Electric range

485 km

Energy consumption

19.4 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

82.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

Exterior design
Impressive, useful in-car tech
More refined than predecessor

Cute kerb-side presence
Decent cabin space for class
Good driving range and energy consumption

Dislikes

Standard glass roof
Expensive servicing costs
No spare wheel

Ride comfort isn't there on long journeys
Loud cabin at higher speeds
Interior trims don't match grade level

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Summary

There’s nothing quite like the Mercedes-Benz GLB. It’s a smallish mid-size SUV with a third seating row (strictly for small children… ), it has a distinctive boxy shape, and for the second generation, you can have a mild-hybrid or fully-electric powertrain. It is the definition of versatile.

The previous GLB was petrol only and Mercedes also offered the similar looking EQB as part of its EQ electric sub-brand. The separate EV model strategy wasn’t working so the German carmaker followed rival BMW’s plan of simply offering electric versions of popular models. Hence the two powertrain options for the new GLB.

This time around Benz has sharpened up pricing, added a bunch of new tech, and developed a new vehicle architecture, while retaining what buyers loved about the original.

Is the new-gen GLB a success?

View full pricing & specs

2024 Volvo XC40 Summary

The XC40 Recharge Twin Motor is the flagship model for the segment leading small electric SUV from Volvo.

Well positioned in terms of price, specifications and driving range, it continues to prove itself a fierce rival to the Mercedes-Benz EQA, Lexus UX and newcomer BMW iX1.

But does it bring its A-game to every attribute buyers in the small electric SUV segment demand? In this review, we put it to test to find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class 2024 Volvo XC40

Verdict

The new GLB is a worthy successor to the original. It has retained everything that made it such a unique proposition but improves where it counts - interior space and comfort, in-car and safety tech, standard features, powertrain, ride quality and, importantly, value-for-money.

The EV is the pick of the powertrains and while I didn’t get to drive it, the GLB250+ is the best value.

Servicing is expensive and the standard glass roof is a bugbear but if you can cope with those things, the boxy GLB is a terrific smallish family SUV.

Verdict

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor is a cute small electric SUV that offers a decent specs list and a sweet urban driving experience. It’s not the nicest ride on a longer journey but it does have a decent range to be able to tackle one, if needed. I didn’t love the interior design but there’s lots the XC40 gets right.

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs Volvo XC40 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs Volvo XC40
What's the difference?