Volvo Es90 vs Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

What's the difference?

More stylish than ever before, as quiet and refined as you'd expect from a luxury car and yet the stand out feature might once again be safety. Despite seemingly every new car being loaded to the gills with safety features, Volvo has managed to demonstrate industry best-practice and leads the way again.

I would encourage engineers from every other car brand to drive the ES90 to learn how to better integrate the modern suite of active safety features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning.

But beyond that, is the ES90 a car worthy of consideration? Well, pretty much everything it does the EX90 does too, so if you prefer an SUV that’s definitely worth consideration. But if you don’t want an SUV, if you prefer a sedan or just love to be different, the ES90 is a very attractive proposition in more ways than one.

It’s easy to say the GLB35 doesn’t deserve to be called an AMG when looking at its credentials on paper, but get behind the wheel and it’s evident Affalterbach played a key role in making it feel as special to drive as it should be.

The GLB35 has all of the great qualities of the GLB250 and other GLB variants, but successfully adds a performance focus to make for an even more compelling package.

Indeed, the GLB35 proves you can pretty much have it all.

Discussing Volvo design will draw different opinions depending on your age. As a millennial, I grew up at a time when Volvos were, to quote a famous movie line from the 1990s, ‘boxy, but good’.

But over the past two decades Volvo has smoothed off those boxy edges and become one of the most style-conscious car companies in the world. It has embraced its now-unique place as a Scandinavian carmaker and uses softer edges and more Nordic design themes (such as light coloured interior woods) to ensure the ES90 is simply a good-looking car.

What it isn’t, at least not technically-speaking, is a sedan. That’s because it has a liftback rear-end design, rather than a traditional ‘three-box’ sedan with a conventional boot. That shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for anyone and it means it’s a far more practical design.

It also sits taller than a conventional ‘sedan’, which is an increasingly common trait for modern European sedans as they try to woo would-be SUV buyers. It’s not a lot, you certainly wouldn’t call it a tall or high-riding car, but it is noticeable.

Ends up as an ‘in-between’ design, neither one thing or the other. The closest thing it reminds me of is the short-lived BMW 5-Series GT, which is damning with faint praise, but it speaks to the challenge of making something that simply isn’t an SUV appealing to the modern SUV-obsessed market.

The very stylish cabin features that previously mentioned light coloured wood (at least in our test car) and that unique Scandinavian look. It’s the closest you’ll get to sitting in a Swedish lounge room on wheels.

With the boxy and therefore rugged-looking GLB laying some great foundations, it’s no surprise the GLB35 looks pretty damn good – to these eyes, at least.

Being an AMG model, it stands out from the crowd with an aggressive body kit, with the chunky bumpers, aerodynamic roof spoiler and racy rear diffuser all unique alongside the now-signature Panamericana grille insert.

A set of 20-inch alloy wheels with 255/40 tyres ups the ante at the side, where the carryover black plastic wheel-arch and skirt cladding serves as an obligatory reminder that this is an SUV.

Also of note are the nicely designed LED headlights and tail-lights, which literally light the way, but there’s no getting past the bespoke diffuser element, which integrates the sports exhaust system’s dual 90mm tailpipes.

Inside, the GLB35 is a technological tour de force, with a pair of 10.25-inch high-resolution displays proudly sitting side by side atop the dashboard, with one the central touchscreen and the other the digital instrument cluster.

Both are powered by Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX multimedia system, which arguably remains the best there is today thanks its speed and breadth of functionality and input methods.

The GLB35 is also properly premium. Lugano leather upholstery covers the seats and armrests, while Nappa trims the sports steering wheel. Even the door shoulders and inserts get ‘cow hide’, although theirs is of the artificial variety.

Soft-touch materials are used for the upper dashboard, leaving hard plastics to the lower sections, which is what you’d expect for the price.

While the black headliner makes for a dark cabin, brightness comes from the metallic trim used throughout, notably on the steering wheel, dashboard, doors and centre console. And let’s not forget the pop of colour provided by the addictive ambient lighting.

And mercifully, scratch- and fingerprint-hungry gloss-black accents are limited to the surrounds of the turbine-style front air vents, dual-zone climate controls and centre console.

Unique to the GLB35 are Carbon Structure trim and stainless-steel sports pedals, just in case you forgot you weren’t driving a regular GLB.

In terms of space the ES90 is very generous, which it should be given it's a five-metre long car. There’s loads of room front and the back so you’ll seat four adults in absolute comfort, and can squeeze in a fifth if needed. Thanks to the relatively flat floor, as well as the panoramic roof that can either be opaque or clear, the cabin feels spacious and bright even in the rear.

As for luggage space, the boot measures 424 litres, and obviously it’s very easy to access via the power liftgate. But it’s still not as big as an SUV. The EX90 offers up 655 litres of space in its five-seat configuration. Which is at least a small part of the explanation why SUVs have become the more popular choice.

But what really stands out in the cabin isn’t the space, it’s the technology. The ES90 Ultra’s multimedia system is centred around a 14.5-inch touchscreen that runs all the car’s key functions; you also get a 9.0-inch driver’s display.

Notably, Volvo has opted to offer Google’s operating systems built-in, which means while you can still run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, if you have a Google account you can sign-in and have your contacts, address book and other details integrated into the car.

It’s a really fast system, too, supported by the most powerful software Volvo has ever put inside one of its cars. Having a big tablet-style screen is great and feels very modern, but if it runs slowly, with lag between commands, it’s not as useful. This Volvo system, particularly the transitions between menus and even the voice assistant, reacts with lightning-fast speed.

Then there’s the sound system we mentioned earlier. It’s a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins set-up with 'Dolby Atmos' and an app called Abbey Road Studios. This app has been produced in conjunction with the iconic recording studio made famous by The Beatles. The speakers and the app were all developed together to provide a superior audio experience.

The speakers themselves are incredibly powerful while staying crystal clear, with the Abbey Road app providing the ability to change the sound between 'Modern' and 'Vintage' settings that make you feel like you’re inside a recording studio.

Put simply, it is as impressive a sound system as I’ve ever experienced in a car.

Measuring 4650mm long (with a 2829mm wheelbase), 1845mm wide and 1660mm tall, the GLB35 is more like the GLC43 in size than the GLA35, making it a mid-size SUV despite its small underpinnings. And that is good news for practicality.

Cargo capacity with the 50/50 split-fold third row stowed is more than solid, at 565 litres (VDA), but it can be increased to a cavernous 1800L with the 40/20/40 split-fold middle bench also not in use. If six or seven passengers are onboard, though, there’s very little room to move.

Nonetheless, the boot is still well packaged, featuring a huge aperture, no load lip, and a flat floor, which make loading and unloading bulkier items a hell of a lot easier. And even the load cover can be stored underfloor when out of action. How good.

There are also four tie-down points, two bag hooks, a side storage net and a 12V power outlet on hand to make matters even easier, while the rear seats can be stowed from the boot.

While we’re on the topic, Mercedes-Benz says the third row can accommodate passengers up to 168cm tall, with the middle bench able to slide fore and aft by up to 140mm.

Yes, I'm too tall, at 184cm, but I can still sit in the very back, although not in total comfort. All in all, about a centimetre of legroom and negligible headroom and toe-room are on offer there for me.

That said, getting in and out in the first place is the real challenge here, with the middle bench unable to tumble forward for easy ingress and egress. Yep, you’re not going to look smooth either way. Children can deal with it, but adults won’t be thrilled.

Therefore, the middle bench is the place to be, even when it’s slid all the way forward. Behind my driving position, it offers about a centimetre of legroom, but this can be increased to several inches by sliding it all the way back.

Either way, plenty of toe-room is available alongside more than an inch of headroom. The latter is more impressive when you consider that’s what you get with the standard dual-pane panoramic sunroof fitted.

Even better, the second row can seat three adults at a pinch, partly thanks to the low transmission tunnel, which means there’s the right amount of space for six fully grown feet across the two footwells. It goes without saying children will again be fine.

Speaking of which, four ISOFIX and five top-tether anchorage points are on hand for fitting up to four child seats across the second and third rows, which makes the GLB35 a serious option for families that like to be sporty.

There are plenty of in-cabin storage options, with the large central storage bin featuring a pair of USB-C ports, while the glovebox is also quite useful, even if it is oddly shaped. And there’s also a sunglasses holder in front of the rearview mirror.

The centre console’s cubby isn’t really designed for storage, with it basically taken up by two cupholders, another USB-C port and a wireless smartphone charger.

The front door bins can accommodate one small and two regular bottles each, which is great, while their rear counterparts can take one small and one regular apiece.

Second-row occupants also have access to a fold-down armrest with another pair of cupholders, but being of the retractable variety, they’re flimsy.

These passengers also have two USB-C ports, with the pair folding out below a small cubby and air vents, which are found at the back of the centre console. Storage nets are also fitted on the front seat backrests.

And don’t worry; the third row gets in on the action, with two cupholders (one regular, the other small) splitting the seats, which have individual USB-C ports and device straps to the sides.
 

Priced from $88,535 plus on-road costs, the GLC35 currently sits atop the GLB range, above both the $59,900 GLB200 and $73,535 GLB250.

Standard equipment not already mentioned in the GLB35 includes dusk-sensing lights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors, black roof rails, rear privacy glass and a power-operated tailgate.

Inside, satellite navigation with live traffic, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, digital radio, a 225W sound system with nine speakers, keyless entry and start, power-adjustable front comfort sports seats with heating and memory functionality, auto-dimming mirrors, illuminated ‘AMG’ scuff plates and ‘AMG’ floor mats feature.

As is commonplace for Mercedes-Benz models, the GLB35 has plenty of options with most expensive, so you could drive away with a vehicle that’s dearer than you originally thought.

But aside from a spare wheel and some safety equipment we’ll cover in a moment, the GLB35 doesn’t leave much to be desired, which is always a good thing.

Nonetheless, our test vehicle was finished in $1490 Iridium Silver Metallic paintwork, which is one of eight extra-cost exterior colour options.

As mentioned, the GLB250 is a unique proposition, so it’s only comparable rival, the more affordable but less sporty Land Rover Discovery Sport P250 HSE ($78,432).

As the name suggests, the ES90 Single Motor is powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that drives the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. The motor makes a healthy 245kW and 480Nm, so the 0-100km/h sprint time is 6.6 seconds - sprightly for such a big car.

As alluded to earlier, there is a Twin Motor, all-wheel drive ES90 variant available in overseas markets, with 500kW, but Volvo Australia is yet to confirm when, or even if that will arrive here.

The GLB35 is powered by an uprated version of the GLB250’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder petrol engine, with the AMG-fettled version producing a more substantial 225kW of power from 5800-6100rpm and 400Nm of torque from 3000-4000rpm (up from 165kW/350Nm).

This version is also matched to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as well as Mercedes-AMG’s front-biased but fully variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.

Thanks to this combination, the GLB35 can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.2 seconds with launch control enabled, while its electronically limited top speed is 250km/h.

Built on Volvo’s 800-volt electrical architecture, the first Volvo to feature the technology, the ES90 is powered by a 92kWh battery that provides up to 554km of driving range on a single charge.

Volvo quotes an NEDC energy consumption of 18.5kWh/100km, with 300kW DC charging able to take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes. A full, empty to 100 per cent charge using a 16A outlet will take 10 hours.

It should be noted that the EX90 SUV will be upgraded to the 800V architecture with the 2026 model year introduction.

The GLB35’s fuel consumption on the combined-cycle test (ADR 81/02) is 8.3L per 100km, while its carbon dioxide emissions are 186 grams per km. All things considered, both claims are pretty decent.

In our real-world testing, though, we averaged a high 14.1L/100km over 75km of driving split between highways and country roads, so not your typical mix, then. A heavy right foot also played into that result, so expect a better return after a regular run.

For reference, the GLB35’s 60L fuel tank can be filled up with 98RON petrol at minimum.

As you’d expect from a luxury, electric car the ES90 is a quiet and refined vehicle to drive. Being a Volvo, the company has used its experience where it matters, and there is excellent insulation from the outside world. Unlike some EVs that lose the engine and hope that just makes things quieter, the ES90 gives you a genuine feeling of insulation from the exterior hustle and bustle. 

Performance is adequate from the single motor but it’s by no means a sports sedan with only 250kW/480Nm and such a big vehicle. But it has the instant response that is an EV trademark so it has all the performance this type of car and the drivers it will attract would likely need. If buyers start banging on the door for more power, Volvo can oblige, but for now it does the job you expect of a luxury four-door.

While it has the sedan silhouette, the taller body and raised ride height on the air suspension are noticeable. You will find yourself looking up at SUV drivers, but not all of them. It’s roughly the same seat height as you’ll find in a modern small SUV, so a slight elevation rather than a big boost.

The ride is what you expect from this type of car. You can adjust the suspension and steering between ‘soft’ and ‘firm’ settings, but even with the latter selected there is a lot of compliance and the ride remains comfortable.

The steering is fine most of the time, but when you have to do parking maneuvers you certainly notice the ES90's steer-by-wire technology. The steering literally feels like an old computer game steering wheel set-up, with very little resistance as the wheel lightly spins from lock-to-lock. It’s not a bad feeling, but it is a bit odd and takes some getting used to.

The ultimate take-away from the driving experience is just how relaxed it is - quiet and effortless are the two words that probably best sum it up.

Don’t let the GLB35’s family friendliness fool you, this is an SUV that can get up and go.

The engine’s extra power and torque over the GLB250 are immediately felt behind the wheel, with the GLB35 accelerating with the vigour of an all-wheel-drive hot hatch, which makes sense given their similar claims.

And if you have one of the sportier drive modes engaged, the booming noise generated is also special – even if a lot of it is of the artificial variety, pumped into the cabin to make occupants feel like things are getting serious.

What is genuine, though, is the well-rounded transmission, which is characteristically quick with its upshifts. At the same time, it’s also relatively smooth, even at low speed, which has proven to be a challenge for dual-clutch units over time, but not here.

To earn the AMG badge, the GLB35 goes even further with other mechanical upgrades, including sports tunes for the suspension and steering.

Specifically, the GLB35’s independent suspension set-up not only consists of MacPherson-strut front and trailing-link rear axles with adaptive dampers, but also introduces new steering knuckles, transverse control arms on the front axle, and a stiffened subframe.

The resulting ride is actually quite good. Yes, the extra firmness over the GLB250 is noticeable – particularly in the sportier drive modes that stiffen the adaptive dampers all the way – but it’s by no means a deal-breaker.

That said, it’s worth noting our test vehicle was fitted with the optional 21-inch alloy wheels ($1990), so the GLB35’s like to ride even better on its standard package.

This is remarkable considering the handling improvements made, with the GLB35 managing body roll and pitch better than the GLB250 when pushing hard into and around corners, coming out of which grip is plentiful thanks to the all-wheel-drive system.

Thankfully, the standard-fit high-performance braking package consisting of 350mm front and 330mm rear discs with four- and one-piston callipers respectively helped it wash speed away with ease when attacking the twisty stuff with intent, even with 1857kg (kerb) to deal with.

Also on hand is electric power steering, which is speed-sensitive and has a variable ratio in the GLB35. Basically, it’s quicker when you want it to be, remaining on the lighter side in hand until you engage one of the sportier drive modes and weight is increased markedly.

ANCAP awarded the GLB range its maximum five-star safety rating in 2019.

Advanced driver-assist systems in the GLB35 extend to autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, tyre pressure monitoring, hill-descent control, hill-start assist, park assist, a reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.

Is anything missing? Well, steering assist, adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring and front cross-traffic alert form the optional Driving Assistance Package ($1990), which definitely should be standard at this price point.

And let’s not forget the two other noticeable absentees: surround-view cameras and high-beam assist. They’re annoyingly part of the optional Vision Package ($1190), which was fitted to our test vehicle.

Nonetheless, other standard safety equipment includes nine airbags (dual front, front-side, curtain and rear-side plus driver’s knee), anti-skid brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and the usual electronic stability and traction control systems.

The ES90 is covered by Volvo’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, which is competitive for the luxury market even if it’s shorter than the cover some mainstream brands offer.

Servicing costs are currently unclear, at the time of publication. Volvo Australia typically offers five-year servicing plans for its models but is yet to finalise the cost for its electric vehicles.

Despite its long history in Australia, Volvo still has a relatively small footprint in this country with only 28 dealers/service centres spread across the country. However, more are planned to expand that coverage in the coming years.

As with all Mercedes-AMG models, the GLB35 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which currently sets the standard for the premium market. It also comes with five years of roadside assistance.

The GLB35’s service intervals are long, at every 12 months or 25,000km (whichever comes first). Better yet, it’s available with a three-year/75,000km capped-price servicing plan, but it costs $2750, with the third visit alone incurring a $1300 charge.