Mercedes-Benz GLB vs Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric
Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz GLB asks RM290,888 against RM278,888 for the Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric, so the RM12,000 extra mainly buys seven seats, a longer 2,829 mm wheelbase and petrol refuelling. The Volvo hits harder: 402 hp, dual-motor AWD and 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds against the GLB's 161 hp front-drive 9.3 seconds. It also has 418 km EV range, a 460-litre boot and a five-year warranty. The GLB counters with RM100 road tax and 207 km/h top speed, but its 130-litre boot is tight.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLB if you need seven seats, prefer a petrol SUV and can live with 161 hp and a 130-litre boot.
Pick the Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric if you want the quick one: 402 hp, AWD, 4.9-second 0-100 km/h, 418 km range and a five-year warranty.
Key differences
- Seats: Mercedes-Benz GLB 7; Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric 5
- Power and drive: Mercedes-Benz GLB 161 hp, FWD; Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric 402 hp, AWD
- 0-100 km/h: Mercedes-Benz GLB 9.3 s; Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric 4.9 s
- Wheelbase: Mercedes-Benz GLB 2,829 mm; Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric 2,702 mm
- Boot space: Mercedes-Benz GLB 130 L; Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric 460 L
- Warranty and road tax: Mercedes-Benz GLB 2 years, RM100/year; Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric 5 years, RM545/year
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 290,888 | RM 278,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Electric |
| Engine | 1,332 cc | Dual motor |
| Power | 161 hp | 402 hp✓ |
| Torque | 270 Nm | — |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 9.3 s | 4.9 s✓ |
| Top speed | 207 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Battery | — | 78.0 kWh |
| EV range | — | 418 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 |
| Boot space | 130 L | 460 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 52 L | 49 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 2 | 5✓ |
| Road tax / year | RM 100✓ | RM 545 |
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.
GLB
- Seven seats versus the Volvo's five
- Longer 2,829 mm wheelbase
- Lower RM100 annual road tax
- 9.3-second 0-100 km/h is far slower here
- 130-litre boot trails the Volvo's 460 litres
- Two-year warranty versus Volvo's five years
XC40 Recharge Electric
- 402 hp dual-motor AWD
- 4.9-second 0-100 km/h
- 460-litre boot and 418 km EV range
- Five seats only
- RM545 annual road tax versus RM100
- 180 km/h top speed versus 207 km/h
GLB vs XC40 Recharge Electric FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLB or Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric better?
The Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric is better on performance, boot space and warranty: 402 hp, 4.9 seconds, 460 litres and five years. The Mercedes-Benz GLB is better if seven seats and petrol refuelling matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB costs RM12,000 more: RM290,888 versus RM278,888 for the Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric.
Which has more seats and boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB has more seats, seven versus five. The Volvo XC40 Recharge Electric has the bigger listed boot, 460 litres versus 130 litres, so passenger count and cargo space point in different directions.