The Mercedes GLB-Class has arrived, and it’s gunning for the Cadillac XT4 in the small crossover SUV segment. Let’s take a closer look at this new German entry to see what Caddy will be up against.
Outside, the Mercedes GLB offers a few “off-road-inspired” design features, including short overhangs and large, blocky body components. A kink in the window line under the C-pillar emphasizes the new crossover’s rear haunches, while LED lighting elements illuminate the way forward.
Inside is where the Mercedes GLB starts to throw its weight around. The dash is primed with a widescreen digital cockpit running the latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment features, plus a variety of driver assist systems, such as Active Distance Assist and Active Steering Assist. Aluminum, leather, and wood make up the materials list.
Critically, the Mercedes GLB is offered in both a standard two-row and optional three-row configurations, whereas the XT4 is only offered in a two-row, five-passenger configuration.
As for the oily bits, the Mercedes GLB is motivated by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 1,800 rpm. Sixty mph arrives in 6.9 seconds, while top speed is rated at 130 mph. An eight-speed automatic gearbox handles the cog swaps.
The XT4 goes blow for blow under the hood thanks to the turbocharged 2.0L LSY four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. The Caddy’s four-cylinder mates to the new GM nine-speed automatic transmission.
The new Mercedes GLB-Class offers front-wheel-drive as standard; a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is optional. The Merc also offers an adaptive damping system and the Off-Road Engineering package, the latter of which includes an additional drive program that adapts the engine and ABS for dirt duty. We should also note that the GLB is derived off a FWD platform, essentially being a crossover variant of the new A-Class and CLA-Class.
2019 Cadillac XT4 in the Middle East
Pricing is not yet available, but the Mercedes GLB is expected to start around the $37,000 mark, which is a bit more than the $35,790 price tag attached to the current Cadillac XT4.
2021 Buick Enspire undergoing testing. The Enspire will be Buick’s version of the Cadillac XT4.
The new GLB adds to Mercedes’ ever-expanding crossover stable, joining its platform mate, the smaller GLA-Class – a sub-compact crossover SUV that’s slightly smaller than the GLB. In that regard, the GLA-Class is a rival to the BMW X2, while the GLB-Class is an X1 competitor. All models continue the Mercedes-BMW rivalry into the subcompact CUV space. Cadillac has the XT4 in this space, though Buick is expected to gain its own version with the upcoming Buick Enspire.
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Comments
The Caddy is definitely more stylish. I personally see alot of “meh” here from MB.
The Mercedes interior looks great. The exterior is horrendous.
I’d take the Cadillac XT4 over this one.
Well, that’s one way to make the XT4 look much better! Introduce a butt ugly MB with a dash that looks like something a dog just left in the grass. Can’t comment much on the rest of the interior of the MB from the pic, but no thank you on the dash or the outside.
But certain people will still buy it just because it has THAT logo.
I’m liking the Benz interior more than the Caddy. The long digital screen is something Cadillac previewed with Escala but failed to implement and the design is better than the XT4. I sat in at XT4 at Cadillac house before it closed and it wasn’t bad, just lacks some imagination/mojo.
HOWEVER, the exterior is meh and looks like everything else on the road unlike the XT4 which is unique. Gotta love the long DRLs that make you aware you’re looking at a Cadillac
I disagree with your first statement, but agree with your second.
The XT4 does have a great looking exterior. I think GM surprised us all with the XT4, but dearly let us down with the XT6. Personally I love the XT4/CT6 styling over the XT6/CT5 styling.
I’m still wondering how the f*ck MB is going to fit 7 passengers in that small car….maybe 7 clowns.
XT6 looks pretty good in my eyes. The proportions are nice and the front is refined where as the CT5 seems chopped together (Headlights, DRLs, and front faux air vents next to them). Totally agree on the CT6. Saw one up close on the road and my god it’s beautiful!
In the Benz 7 people will be a tight squeeze. If it rides anything like the GLA then it’ll be total crap. Rode in a 50 minute Uber yesterday and the GLA had so much road noise, vibration, and hard plastic. My phone was shaking so much I couldn’t read anything on it.
I love that interior, but as others have said; XT4 wins on the exterior treatment. The GLB looks much larger and less athletic than it probably is.
But nobody wants a 4 cylinder in a luxury CUV. I think I remember hearing this over and over when the XT4 was released and it seems that everyone else is doing it to.
The shape of new MB look weird kinda like a jeep renegade not good at all. The interior looks nice but I could do with out the big screen.
Joe, Foreign auto mfg.s have been using 4 cyl engines for quite a while. They provide adequate power with the turbo.
As for the boxy shape of the new 2020 GLB, it reminds me of my 2013 GLK I used to have. That shape gives the extra room in the trunk area. Worked for me. That large digital dashboard, is going to be one of the options MB is known for providing when you want to get fancy features, just like GM does.
Haha. If you really believe Mercedes-Benz even knows what the XT4 is, you deserve your Cadillac. The XT4 competes with Buicks, Acuras, top-end Kias maybe. Not Mercedes, BMW, Audi. Maybe again someday, but not at this point.
Take on the XT4?
This is a Three Row Small CUV. As I originally stated, the XT4 should have been the XT3 so Cadillac had room for either something like this or a Coupe Like CUV names XT4.
The XT6 should have been the XT7 so Cadillac could’ve made a Coupe Like CUV called XT6.
Now they are stuck price wise. GM just makes zero sense.
Same as the Sedans. Should have followed the BMW numbers as well.
On a side note, this interior makes the XT4 interior borderline embarrassing. I like the XT4 interior but not for a Cadillac. It is nice for lets say Buick.
GM is so far behind in interiors that I fear they will never catch up.
A shrunken 3-row CUV? Seems more fitting for an Equinox, that adds a sliding 2nd row, than a Benz
Hey Sheep, Mercedes interiors stink!
– the center screen should be built into the dash, and it should be a touchscreen.
– the buttons that replaced the gear shifter should also be on the dash. So they don’t get drinks spilled on them.
– should have cup holders in place of the mouse pad
– seat controls should be on the side of the seat. Not on the door
– Buttons on the steering wheel should be shaped like buttons on a PlayStation/Xbox controller.
In short Mercedes is Garmin, While Cadillac is Google Maps.
I have to disagree with you Peter. I had a 2013 GLK250, which is a diesel, and had a shape very much similar to the MB GLB. The seat controls on the door were very convenient. And one you programmed them you pretty much did not have to touch them again. Like every car brand you get used to and familiar with the controls and locations. Mercedes used to have the gear selector on the steering wheel where the wiper control is on the GM cars. Even though the GLB is targeting the XT4 and BMW X1, the available 3rd row seats, no matter how tight, will still blow the competition away even at a starting price of $2210 higher than XT4?
Wow…now that’s a luxury interior. The exterior however looks like a “Lego” vehicle.
Don’t like the odd ball blockade exterior and the interior is just too silly and overly high tech for my liking as if it were geared towards a 12 year old. With that said I don’t care for the XT4 interior either because it looks too cheap and plain. This is one area where lincoln trounces both of these. Exterior wise none does anything for me but if forced to choose the Cadillac would be the default choice.
Live to dream.. imagine if Cadillac treated the XT4 CUV like their upcoming CT4 which means having engine options including a V-model because there might be some people who may want to have a little fun with their XT4.