Verdict
The Volvo XC40 costs RM22,000 less yet brings 263 hp, 390 Nm and all-wheel drive, cutting the 0-100 km/h time to 6.4 seconds against the GLB’s 9.3 seconds. It also has active cruise control, lane-keeping steering correction and a five-year warranty. But the Mercedes-Benz GLB answers a different Malaysian family need: seven seats, a 2,829-mm wheelbase and sliding, split-folding second-row seats. Its 130-litre boot is small with all rows deployed, while the five-seat XC40 carries 460 litres. Pick capacity or pace; neither is a compromise-free choice.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLB if you need seven seats, a longer 2,829-mm wheelbase and flexible sliding second-row seating.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want 263 hp, 390 Nm, all-wheel drive and stronger driver-assistance equipment for less money.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLB RM290,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Performance: GLB 161 hp and 270 Nm; XC40 263 hp and 390 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: GLB 9.3 seconds; XC40 6.4 seconds.
- Driveline: GLB front-wheel drive; XC40 all-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot space: GLB seven seats and 130 litres; XC40 five seats and 460 litres.
- Warranty: GLB two years/unlimited mileage; XC40 five years/unlimited mileage.
GLB
- Seven-seat cabin with seven three-point seat belts.
- Sliding 40:20:40 second row and 50:50 folding third row.
- Longer 2,829-mm wheelbase and 52-litre fuel tank.
- 161 hp and 270 Nm trail the XC40’s 263 hp and 390 Nm.
- No lane-keeping assist, active cruise control or auto parking.
- Two-year warranty is three years shorter than the XC40’s.
XC40
- 263 hp, 390 Nm and all-wheel drive.
- 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Lane-keeping steering correction, active cruise control and auto parking.
- Five seats versus the GLB’s seven.
- 2,702-mm wheelbase is 127 mm shorter than the GLB’s.
- 49-litre fuel tank is 3 litres smaller than the GLB’s.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM290,888 | RM268,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM428 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | 263 hp✓ |
| Torque | 270 Nm | 390 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | Geartronic Automatic Transmission |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.3 seconds | 6.4 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.7 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 207 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Co2 | — | 50 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,634 mm | 4,425 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,863 mm |
| Height | 1,663 mm | 1,658 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,829 mm | 2,702 mm |
| Weight | 1,555 kg | 1,875 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 49 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 460 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | 235/50R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Michelin e-Primacy |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys | 19" 5-Y Spoke Matt Graphite Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Sport Chassis |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Power safety lock for rear door |
| Seat Belts | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row seats, two last row seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, City Safety with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Driver Side Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C 3rd Row | 2 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 9" Portrait Android Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km hybrid battery warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used GLB & XC40 for sale
GLB vs XC40 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLB or Volvo XC40 better?
The XC40 is better for performance, all-wheel drive and driver assistance, with 263 hp and a 6.4-second 0-100 km/h time. The GLB is better if seven seats and its sliding second row matter more than outright pace.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC40 is RM22,000 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Which has more practical passenger and luggage space?
The GLB carries seven people and has a sliding 40:20:40 second row plus a folding third row. The XC40 seats five but has the larger quoted boot, at 460 litres versus 130 litres for the GLB.
