Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB vs Volvo XC90
Verdict
At the same RM418,888, these two ask a very different question of a Malaysian buyer. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB is the driver’s pick on paper, with 302 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. The Volvo XC90 is slower at 249 hp, 350 Nm and 7.7 seconds, but it is much larger, seats seven, has air suspension and carries a longer five-year warranty. If you need family space, the Volvo makes the stronger case; if pace matters, the Mercedes does.
AMG GLB
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB if you want the quicker, lighter SUV with 302 hp, 400 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
XC90
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, a bigger body, air suspension, a 71-litre tank and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB RM418,888; Volvo XC90 RM418,888
- Output: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 302 hp/400 Nm; Volvo XC90 249 hp/350 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 5.5 seconds; Volvo XC90 7.7 seconds
- Seats: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 5; Volvo XC90 7
- Size: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 4,634 mm long/2,829 mm wheelbase; Volvo XC90 4,950 mm long/2,984 mm wheelbase
- Boot and tank: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 570 litres/52 litres; Volvo XC90 451 litres/71 litres
AMG GLB
- Much quicker: 5.5 seconds to 100 km/h versus 7.7 seconds
- Higher outputs at 302 hp and 400 Nm
- Lighter body at 1,790 kg versus 2,350 kg
- Only five seats versus the Volvo XC90’s seven
- Smaller 52-litre fuel tank versus 71 litres
- Shorter four-year warranty versus five years
XC90
- Seven-seat cabin with 7 three-point seatbelts
- Larger body and longer 2,984 mm wheelbase
- Air suspension at the front and rear
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower 249 hp and 350 Nm outputs
- Smaller 451-litre boot figure versus 570 litres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 418,888 | RM 418,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable valve timing with mild hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,991 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 302 hp✓ | 249 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 350 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.3 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 13 hp | 14 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 40 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Battery Capacity | 1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-speed sports transmission | 8-Speed Automatic Transmission with Geartronic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Volvo |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.5 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,634 mm | 4,950 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,958 mm |
| Height | 1,659 mm | 1,776 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,829 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,790 kg | 2,350 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 570 litres✓ | 451 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/40R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/40R20 | 275/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" AMG 5-Twin-Spoke Light-Alloy | 20" 5-spoke Black Diamond Cut Black Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated, Perforated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated, Perforated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | AMG Ride Control - Adaptive Dampers | — |
| 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 | Electric for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, with Full Auto Brake, Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Multibeam LED Projectors | Dynamic LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats with Memory Settings | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Ventilation |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | Second row 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated booster child seat for the outer seats, Third Row 50:50 |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC vents | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic, Front Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 3 Front USB, 2 Rear USB | — |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Active Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual Rear Door Window Shades, Powered Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 11.2" Central Display with Android Automotive OS, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Connectivity, Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity Audio System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Knob Twist |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| 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 | 4 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Hybrid Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 436 | RM 428✓ |
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.
AMG GLB vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB or Volvo XC90 better?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB is better for performance, with 302 hp and 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. The Volvo XC90 is better for family use, with seven seats, a larger body and air suspension.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB and Volvo XC90 are both priced at RM418,888.
Which one is more practical for a family?
The Volvo XC90 is more practical if you need seating capacity, because it has seven seats against the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB’s five. The Mercedes has the larger quoted boot figure, at 570 litres versus 451 litres.