2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 INFINITI QX80

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, an upright windshield, large side windows, and a nearly vertical rear liftgate. The front and rear overhangs were symmetrical, contributing to its balanced appearance. The GLB prioritized interior volume over sleek aesthetics, highlighted by standard roof rails ready for action. The test vehicle, painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package and 20-inch AMG wheels, added a stylish touch to its functional design. Prices started at $36,600, with the tested GLB 250 4Matic priced at $55,890, including numerous options.

Inside, the GLB 250 made drivers feel special, especially with the upgraded dual 10.25-inch screens for instrumentation and infotainment. The optional ambient lighting system added a colorful glow to the cabin, enhancing the overall experience. The interior design blended high style with simplicity, though it required some acclimation for those unfamiliar with Mercedes-Benz controls. Materials and construction were of high quality, though some metallic trim pieces revealed the vehicle's more affordable status within the brand. Overall, the GLB's interior was a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 reflected its origins with a mix of Nissan Armada and Infiniti styling elements. The body shell carried over from the Armada, evident in the roofline profile and rear window curve. Both SUVs featured front fender vents and retained body-on-frame construction for added rigidity. The QX80's front end was distinctly Infiniti, with a grille and headlight design introduced in 2018, giving it an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base Luxe trim and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its appeal.

Inside, the QX80's design closely resembled the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery enhancing its luxury feel. The dashboard had a similar shape, with a foot-operated parking brake detracting from its high-end image. Despite this, the interior felt luxurious, though it might disappoint buyers seeking exclusivity.

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 driving 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 reduced body motion, while the turbo powertrain responded quickly to accelerator inputs. 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 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured a 5.6-liter V8 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and 4WD as a $3,100 option. The V8 produced 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power for highway overtaking. However, transmission shifts were not as smooth as expected. The QX80's body-on-frame construction was complemented by independent suspension and a rear auto-leveling feature, with Hydraulic Body Motion Control standard on Sensory models to limit body roll during cornering.

The QX80 offered a comfortable ride, with some detectable shudders over bumps but nothing too severe. The interior was quiet, enhancing the luxury experience. However, the QX80 felt less composed in corners, with noticeable body roll even with Hydraulic Body Motion Control. The speed-sensitive power steering promoted a relaxed driving style. The QX80 excelled in towing and off-road capability, with a 4WD drivetrain featuring low range and a forward skid plate. It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, more than a Cadillac Escalade but slightly less than a Lincoln Navigator.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB offered more interior space than the larger and more expensive GLC, with an optional third row of seats. The generous interior dimensions allowed for comfortable seating for four adults, with ample headroom, tall seating positions, large windows, and an available panoramic sunroof. Entry and exit were easy, and the second-row seat could slide forward and back to adjust space 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. Cargo space measured 22 cubic feet behind the second row and 62 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The three-row INFINITI QX80 came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with second-row captain's chairs and a center console. An eight-seat configuration was optional, with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver's seat and an eight-way front passenger's seat, with heating and cooling on Sensory models. However, the front seats lacked thigh support, which could be uncomfortable on long trips. Passenger space was competitive but not class-leading, with enough room for adults in the third row. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet with all three rows in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third row and second-row captain's chairs folded. The test car had a power liftgate and power 60/40-split-folding third row, making it easy to switch between passenger and cargo hauling.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, priced at $2,200, was highly recommended. It included a blind-spot warning system, keyless entry and engine start, and upgraded the standard 7-inch screens to twin 10.25-inch displays with lush graphics and fast response. The GLB featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which included 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 INFINITI QX80 came with the standard Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system were also standard. Optional features included a 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system. The touchscreens were backed up by analog controls, but the user interface was not intuitive, requiring trial and error to operate. The standard Smart Rearview Mirror could switch from a conventional mirror to a streaming-video display, eliminating blind spots. The Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system was also available, providing individual front and rear views and an overhead view.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came standard with several safety features, including a driver monitoring system, a 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 safety features included second-row side-impact airbags and blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Assist. The Driver Assistance Package added advanced driving assistance and collision avoidance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, 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. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had performed crash tests on the GLB at the time of publication.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS had not tested the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention. These features were standard, unlike many other luxury brands.