Verdict
At RM290,888, the seven-seat Mercedes-Benz GLB costs RM78,000 less and suits the Malaysian buyer who needs its 2,829 mm wheelbase, sliding second row and powered front seats. Its 161 hp and 270 Nm mean a measured 9.3-second 0-100 km/h time, however. The RM368,888 Renault Megane RS is a five-seat hatchback with 296 hp, 420 Nm and a 5.8-second sprint, plus Cup suspension, rear-wheel steering and a Torsen limited-slip differential. It is the clear driver’s choice, but the GLB has autonomous braking and collision warning where the Renault does not.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLB if you need seven seats, a longer 2,829 mm wheelbase and autonomous braking for RM78,000 less.
Pick the Renault Megane RS if a 296 hp, 420 Nm front-wheel-drive hatch with a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time matters more than extra seats and driver assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLB RM290,888; Renault Megane RS RM368,888.
- Performance: GLB 161 hp, 270 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 9.3 seconds; Megane RS 296 hp, 420 Nm and 5.8 seconds.
- Seating and boot: GLB has 7 seats and 130 litres; Megane RS has 5 seats and 384 litres.
- Dimensions: GLB is 4,634 mm long, 1,663 mm tall and rides on a 2,829 mm wheelbase; Megane RS is 4,364 mm, 1,445 mm and 2,669 mm.
- Wheels and tyres: GLB uses 18-inch wheels with 235/55R18 tyres; Megane RS gets 19-inch wheels with 245/35R19 tyres.
- Safety assistance: GLB has autonomous braking and collision warning; Megane RS has neither listed.
GLB
- Seven seats with a sliding 40:20:40 second row
- Autonomous braking and collision warning
- Powered front seats with driver memory
- 135 hp and 150 Nm down on the Megane RS
- 0-100 km/h takes 9.3 seconds versus 5.8 seconds
- 130-litre boot is 254 litres smaller
Megane RS
- 296 hp and 420 Nm
- Cup suspension, rear-wheel steering and Torsen limited-slip differential
- 384-litre boot
- Costs RM78,000 more
- Five seats versus the GLB's seven
- No autonomous braking or collision warning listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM290,888✓ | RM368,888 |
| Body type | SUV | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM100✓ | RM279 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | 296 hp✓ |
| Torque | 270 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | 79.7 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 9.2 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | Getrag |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.3 seconds | 5.8 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 7.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 207 km/h | 260 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 181 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,634 mm | 4,364 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,663 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,829 mm | 2,669 mm |
| Weight | 1,555 kg | 1,405 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 384 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | 245/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | 245/35R19 |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | France (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys | 19" Interlagos Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Cup Suspension, Rear-wheel Steering, Torsen Limited-slip Differential, Launch Control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| 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 Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projectors |
| 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 | Manual Adjustment |
| 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 |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C 3rd Row | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 3 Rear |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen MBUX Multimedia System with Voice Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | R-Link 2 Infotainment System with 8.7" Vertical Touchscreen and 8 Speakers |
| 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 | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 3 years✓ |
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 & Megane RS for sale
GLB vs Megane RS FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLB or Renault Megane RS better?
The GLB is better for seven-seat family use, lower purchase price and its autonomous braking. The Megane RS is decisively better for performance: 296 hp, 420 Nm and 5.8 seconds to 100 km/h versus 161 hp, 270 Nm and 9.3 seconds.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS costs RM368,888, which is RM78,000 more than the RM290,888 Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Which has the stronger safety-assistance package?
The GLB does. Both have blind-spot information, stability control and a reverse camera, but only the Mercedes-Benz lists autonomous braking and collision warning. The GLB also has six front and six rear parking sensors; the Megane RS has four rear sensors and none listed at the front.