2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Cadillac XT6

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB had a boxy and tall design compared to other small Mercedes SUVs. It sat on a front-wheel-drive platform with an optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The vehicle featured a long, flat hood leading to an upright windshield, large side windows, and a nearly vertical rear liftgate. The front and rear overhangs were symmetrical, ensuring visual balance. The GLB prioritized function over form, maximizing interior volume within its narrow and short frame. Standard roof rails added to its practical appeal.

Painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, the test vehicle exuded style and attitude. Prices started at $36,600, but the tested GLB 250 4Matic, loaded with options, had a sticker price of $55,890. The interior featured dual 10.25-inch screens, ambient lighting, and a mix of MB-Tex leatherette and Dinamica suede seats. The design blended high style with simplicity, though some metallic trim pieces revealed the vehicle's more affordable status within the Mercedes lineup.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 looked sophisticated, featuring styling cues similar to the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. It came in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The XT6 Sport had a traditionally-styled grille with darkened accents and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights gave it a premium look. The XT6 was available in seven paint colors, with most requiring an additional surcharge. A sunroof was standard.

The interior of the XT6 mirrored the XT5 but was slightly larger. It came in three color options: Jet Black, Cirrus, and Maple Sugar. The Platinum Package elevated the cabin with semi-aniline leather upholstery, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats. While the seats were luxurious, the dashboard area was less premium. Some stitching and buttons appeared cheaper, but the steering wheel and console surfaces felt good to the touch.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came in GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic specifications, both equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 and 4,000 rpm. Mercedes claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds, though it felt faster due to the engine's wide torque band and the snappy eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The DCT powered the front wheels unless the 4Matic AWD was optioned, which optimized grip and performance. An Off-Road mode locked the drivetrain in a 50:50 power split for maximum traction.

The test vehicle, equipped with an adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels, delivered a soft, pillowy ride in Comfort mode, ideal for city and highway driving. In Sport mode, the suspension provided greater road feel, and the turbo powertrain responded quickly. The GLB's unusual driving position and large windows made it fun to drive on mountain roads, despite its modest engine specifications. However, the brakes faded prematurely during enthusiastic driving, cutting short an otherwise enjoyable experience. The fuel economy was 21.4 mpg, below the EPA's 26-mpg estimate.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. The same engine was standard in the XT6 Premium Luxury trim, while the base XT6 Luxury model had a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine provided smooth acceleration, and the nine-speed transmission shifted seamlessly.

The XT6 Sport, with standard AWD, felt heavy at 4,690 pounds, affecting its driving dynamics. The weight distribution, particularly from the mid-rear where the AWD mechanics were located, made the XT6 less dynamic in various driving scenarios. This issue was not present in competitors like the Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Kia Telluride. The XT6's fuel economy was on par with its competitors, with the V6 engine achieving 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined with FWD. AWD models saw a slight decrease in city and highway mpg.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered more interior space than the larger and more expensive GLC. It could be equipped with an optional third row, a feature not available in other Mercedes SUVs except the GLS. The GLB comfortably accommodated four adults, with ample headroom, tall seating positions, large windows, and an available panoramic sunroof. The second-row seat slid forward and back, providing flexibility for third-row passengers or cargo.

The front seats offered power adjustment but lacked heating and ventilation, which would have added over $1,000 to the price. The second-row seat could fit three people, but two was more comfortable due to the vehicle's narrow width. The third-row seat was an $850 option not included in the test vehicle. Cargo space was 22 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down, offering more space than the GLA and GLC.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven, with an option to upgrade to captain's chairs in the second row for $800. Adults could fit in the third row, a feature that had become more common in recent years. However, the XT6 had less head-, leg-, shoulder-, and hip room than many competitors in all three rows. The interior storage was not ideal for families, with limited space for small items in the front row.

The XT6's rear cargo space was a highlight, offering more overall cargo space than many competitors. The standard power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats made it easy to utilize the cargo area. Remote-folding second-row seats were available. The cargo load floor was high, typical for the class, and there was limited space behind the third row, requiring the seats to be folded down for larger cargo.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, costing an extra $2,200, was highly recommended. It included a blind-spot warning system, keyless entry, and twin 10.25-inch displays with lush graphics and fast response. The GLB came with the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and natural voice recognition technology. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, using the forward-facing camera to provide a live video feed with turn-by-turn directions.

The Parking Assistance Package included a high-definition surround-view camera system and a semi-autonomous active parking assistance system. The 12-speaker Burmester premium sound system was also available, offering excellent sound quality and stylish aluminum speaker grilles.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6's tech was suitable but not cutting-edge. The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system could appear crowded or lacking information, depending on the use case. Standard features included tri-zone automatic climate control, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, and Teen Driver monitoring. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, heated/ventilated front seats, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging.

The navigation and upgraded Bose audio system could be packaged together for $1,000.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came with several standard safety features, including a driver monitoring system, backup camera, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a Pre-Safe front collision preparation system. Emergency call service was also standard. Optional features included second-row side-impact airbags and blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Assist.

The optional Driver Assistance Package added active speed- and lane-maintenance systems, evasive steering assistance, and an automatic emergency stop assistance system. Enhancements to the Pre-Safe technology included rear-impact preparation and ear damage protection at the moment of impact. The advanced driving assistance and collision avoidance systems operated accurately and encouraged their use. However, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of publication.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, a high-definition rearview camera, Safety Alert Seat, and IntelliBeam headlights. Premium Luxury and Sport models also had lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The XT6's lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning systems struggled to read lines accurately. The Driver Assist Package, available for $1,300, included adaptive cruise control, automatic seat belt tightening, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking. The Visibility and Technology Package, costing $2,350, added an 8.0-inch gauge cluster, head-up display, rear-camera mirror, HD surround vision, and automatic parking assist with braking. Night Vision technology was available on Premium Luxury and Sport models.

The NHTSA gave the 2021 XT6 a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover crash test rating. The IIHS named the 2020 XT6 a "Top Safety Pick+," its highest rating.