Verdict
At RM418,888 each, this is a split decision rather than a price-led one. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB brings 302 hp, 400 Nm and a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Volvo XC90’s 249 hp, 350 Nm and 7.7 seconds; it is the clear choice for pace. But the locally assembled XC90 is a substantially larger seven-seater, measuring 4,950 mm long with a 2,984 mm wheelbase, and adds air suspension, a panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats. The GLB’s 570-litre boot beats the Volvo’s quoted 451 litres, but it only seats five.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB if you want the far quicker 302 hp SUV, a 570-litre boot and AMG adaptive dampers in a smaller five-seat package.
Pick the Volvo XC90 if you need seven seats, substantially more cabin footprint and equipment including air suspension, ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB RM418,888; Volvo XC90 RM418,888.
- Performance: AMG GLB 302 hp, 400 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds; XC90 249 hp, 350 Nm and 7.7 seconds.
- Size: AMG GLB 4,634 mm long with a 2,829 mm wheelbase; XC90 4,950 mm long with a 2,984 mm wheelbase.
- Seating and boot: AMG GLB has 5 seats and 570 litres; XC90 has 7 seats and 451 litres.
- Weight and fuel tank: AMG GLB weighs 1,790 kg with a 52-litre tank; XC90 weighs 2,350 kg with a 71-litre tank.
- Warranty: AMG GLB gets 4 years unlimited mileage; XC90 gets 5 years unlimited mileage plus an 8-year/160,000 km hybrid-battery warranty.
AMG GLB
- 302 hp and 400 Nm; 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.
- 570-litre boot is 119 litres larger.
- AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers and 360-degree camera with auto parking.
- Five seats versus the XC90’s seven.
- No panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats or rear dual-zone climate control.
- Four-year warranty is one year shorter.
XC90
- Seven seats, including 50:50 third-row seating.
- Air suspension front and rear, plus ventilated front seats.
- Panoramic sunroof, Bowers & Wilkins audio and five-year warranty.
- 249 hp and 350 Nm trail the AMG GLB’s 302 hp and 400 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h takes 7.7 seconds, 2.2 seconds behind the AMG GLB.
- 451-litre boot is 119 litres smaller.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM418,888 | RM418,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM436 | RM428✓ |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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 AMG GLB & XC90 for sale
AMG GLB vs XC90 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB or Volvo XC90 better?
The AMG GLB is better for outright performance, reaching 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds with 302 hp. The XC90 is better for family carrying, with seven seats, a longer 2,984 mm wheelbase and air suspension.
What is the price difference?
There is no price difference: both the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB and Volvo XC90 cost RM418,888.
Which one has more seats and luggage space?
The Volvo XC90 has seven seats to the AMG GLB’s five. However, the AMG GLB has the larger quoted boot at 570 litres, compared with 451 litres for the XC90.