Verdict
The RM22,000 gap puts the Volvo XC40 ahead on outright hardware: 263 hp and 390 Nm drive all four wheels, cutting 0-100 km/h to 6.4 seconds against the Mercedes-Benz GLB’s 161 hp, 270 Nm, front-wheel drive and 9.3 seconds. It also brings 460 litres of boot space and a five-year warranty. But the GLB costs RM290,888 to the XC40’s RM268,888 because it is the family tool here, with seven seats, a sliding 40:20:40 second row and a 127 mm longer wheelbase. Choose around your passenger count, not the badge.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLB if you need seven seats, four ISOFIX positions and a sliding second row for family duty.
Pick the Volvo XC40 if you want stronger 263 hp performance, all-wheel drive, a 460-litre boot and five years of warranty cover.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLB RM290,888; Volvo XC40 RM268,888.
- Performance: GLB 161 hp/270 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 9.3 seconds; XC40 263 hp/390 Nm and 6.4 seconds.
- Driveline: GLB front-wheel drive; XC40 all-wheel drive.
- Seating and boot: GLB seven seats and 130 litres; XC40 five seats and 460 litres.
- Dimensions: GLB is 4,634 mm long with a 2,829 mm wheelbase; XC40 is 4,425 mm long with a 2,702 mm wheelbase.
- Warranty and road tax: GLB has two-year warranty and RM100 annual road tax; XC40 has five-year warranty and RM428 road tax.
GLB
- Seven seats with four ISOFIX positions
- Sliding 40:20:40 second row and 50:50 third row
- RM328 lower annual road tax
- Slower 9.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 6.4 seconds
- Only 130 litres of boot space versus 460 litres
- Two-year warranty versus five years
XC40
- 263 hp, 390 Nm and all-wheel drive
- 460-litre boot space
- Active cruise control and auto parking
- Only five seats versus the GLB's seven
- RM428 annual road tax versus RM100
- 180 km/h top speed versus 207 km/h
| 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 at 5,500 rpm | 263 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 270 Nm at 2,000 rpm | 390 Nm at 1,800 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 72.2 mm × 81.4 mm | 82 mm × 93.2 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 | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (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, boot space, all-wheel drive and warranty length. The GLB is the better choice only if seven seats and its sliding second row are central to your needs.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC40 is RM22,000 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Which one is better for a larger family?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is the clear family pick: it has seven seats, a 40:20:40 sliding second row, a 50:50 third row and ISOFIX mounts across four seating positions. The XC40 has five seats.
