2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling, with curvy and car-like lines, bore a family resemblance to Honda's sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. This design approach made the CR-V a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials that sometimes clashed. While higher trims featured upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these elements were juxtaposed with lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V versions were upgrades of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, introduced in 2020, was a fresh addition to Mercedes' extensive SUV lineup. It slotted between the smaller GLA and larger GLC, with a design that was unmistakably Mercedes-Benz. The GLB's styling was attractive and athletic, with a notable 20 centimetres of ground clearance, making it more forgiving on soft roads and speed humps. Inside, the GLB was a modern marvel, with a striking repetition of round shapes across the dash and polished metal details evoking an aerospace vibe. The cabin boasted Mercedes-Benz's renowned fit and finish, with a single panel housing both the virtual instrument cluster and infotainment screen, creating an elegant and attractive interior.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V. Despite the CVT's reputation for sluggishness, Honda's engineers managed to deliver a responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, offering nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable ride. Its low curb weight, ranging from 1,521 kilograms for the FWD LX model to 1,641 kilograms for the AWD Touring and Black Edition models, contributed to its excellent acceleration, handling, and fuel efficiency. The CR-V's fuel consumption was rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined for FWD models and 8.1 for AWD models, making it one of the most efficient in its class.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-4 engine, delivering 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GLB's 4MATIC all-wheel drive was standard in Canada, enhancing handling in various conditions. With a curb weight of 1,765 kilograms, the GLB offered a 0-100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 210 kilometres per hour. While not the fastest, the power delivery was linear and predictable, suitable for a family SUV. The GLB's fuel consumption was estimated at 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.9 on the highway, and 10.1 combined. The 4MATIC system provided better driving feel on dry roads and during cornering, with features like hill-start assist and downhill speed regulation for off-road adventures.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan without feeling oversized. The seating position provided excellent visibility, and the cargo compartment matched the Tiguan in volume despite the CR-V's shorter length. Clever storage solutions, like the deep centre console and two-position load floor, added to its practicality. The CR-V offered 1,065 litres of cargo space in the Touring and Black Edition trims and 1,110 litres in other grades, with a flat floor option for added versatility. Even the door pockets were generously sized, making the CR-V easy to live with.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered the option of a third-row seat, affecting the second row and cargo compartments. The second row featured a 40:20:40 split seatback with adjustable recline angles and a sliding seat bottom. In three-row models, the second row had an "Easy-Entry" function for easy access to the third row, which was best suited for children or short trips. Cargo space varied depending on the seating configuration, with up to 1,755 litres available in the five-passenger model. The GLB's front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with available heated and ventilated options. The second row provided ample comfort for two adults, with modern amenities like door pockets, map pockets, and cupholders.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto felt tacked on. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ones in the backseat. The Touring and Black Edition trims included a wireless phone charger, enhancing convenience for occupants.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB, despite being an entry-level model, was packed with technology. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system featured voice control, natural language understanding, and keyword activation. The GLB came with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia display, with options to upgrade to 10.25 inches. Smartphone integration, keyless start, and a power liftgate were standard. The Premium Package added features like keyless go and a Burmester Surround Sound System. The Navigation Package included augmented reality navigation and traffic-sign assist, enhancing the driving experience. Advanced options like adaptive suspension damping, ambient lighting, and a head-up display were available.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Automatic high beams were standard, while blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring were available on higher trims. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with some caveats for lower trims. A safety recall for a rear subframe failure affected a small number of vehicles.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB featured standard safety technology like active brake assist, adaptive braking, crosswind assist, and attention assist. Available features included active LED headlamps, adaptive high-beam assist, and advanced driver assistance systems. The Pre-Safe system activated safety measures in the cabin during an imminent collision, while Pre-Safe Sound emitted a signal to protect hearing. The GLB had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.