Verdict
The Mercedes-Benz GLB costs RM290,888 to the Volvo XC60’s RM328,888, and its RM100 annual road tax is far easier on a Malaysian family budget than the XC60’s RM428. The GLB’s key advantage is seven seats, but its 130-litre boot with all rows up is small. The five-seat XC60 has a far more useful 483-litre boot, 246 hp, 350 Nm and all-wheel drive, reaching 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds versus 9.3 seconds. It also brings active cruise control with steering assist and a five-year warranty.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLB if you need seven seats, lower annual road tax and are content with 161 hp front-wheel drive performance.
Pick the Volvo XC60 if you want a larger 483-litre boot, 246 hp all-wheel drive pace and more advanced driving assistance.
Key differences
- Price: Mercedes-Benz GLB RM290,888; Volvo XC60 RM328,888.
- Performance: GLB 161 hp, 270 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 9.3 seconds; XC60 246 hp, 350 Nm and 6.9 seconds.
- Seating and boot space: GLB 7 seats and 130 litres; XC60 5 seats and 483 litres.
- Driveline: GLB front-wheel drive; XC60 all-wheel drive.
- Road tax: GLB RM100 per year; XC60 RM428 per year.
- Warranty: GLB 2 years unlimited mileage; XC60 5 years unlimited mileage.
GLB
- Seven-seat cabin with sliding second row and foldable third row.
- RM100 annual road tax.
- 207 km/h top speed and a driver’s knee airbag.
- Slower than the XC60: 161 hp, 270 Nm and 9.3 seconds to 100 km/h versus 246 hp, 350 Nm and 6.9 seconds.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- No lane-keeping assist and only a two-year warranty.
XC60
- 246 hp, 350 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 6.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 483-litre boot, far larger than the GLB’s 130 litres with all seats in use.
- Active cruise control with steering assist, 360-degree camera and five-year warranty.
- RM38,000 more expensive and its annual road tax is RM428 versus RM100.
- Five seats only, against the GLB’s seven-seat layout.
- 180 km/h top speed versus the GLB’s 207 km/h.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM290,888✓ | RM328,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| 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, Variable Valve Timing with MHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 1,332 cc | 1,969 cc |
| Horsepower | 161 hp | 246 hp✓ |
| Torque | 270 Nm | 350 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 72.2 mm | 82 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 13 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 30 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-DCT | 8-Speed Geartronic |
| 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 | 6.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 207 km/h✓ | 180 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,634 mm | 4,708 mm |
| Width | 1,834 mm | 1,902 mm |
| Height | 1,663 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,829 mm | 2,865 mm |
| Weight | 1,555 kg | 2,450 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 52 litres | 71 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 7 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 130 litres | 483 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R18 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R18 | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-twin-spoke Alloys | 19" 5-double-spoke Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front and Rear Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, 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 | 7 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer middle row seats, two last row seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, with Integrated Boosters |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| 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 Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding and Sliding 2nd Row, 50:50 Split-folding 3rd Row | 40:20:40 Split Folding with integrated 2-stage booster child seat cushions for the outer seats |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | — | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Rear USB-C 3rd Row | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Powered Sunshade for Panoramic Glass Roof |
| 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 and 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control with Steering Assist |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot, Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with 360 Surround View Camera |
| 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✓ |
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 & XC60 for sale
GLB vs XC60 FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLB or Volvo XC60 better?
The XC60 is the stronger choice for performance, all-wheel drive, boot space and driver assistance. Choose the GLB if seven seats and much lower annual road tax matter more than its slower acceleration and smaller boot.
What is the price difference?
The Volvo XC60 costs RM38,000 more than the Mercedes-Benz GLB. It also carries RM428 annual road tax, compared with RM100 for the GLB.
Which one is better for carrying a family?
The GLB is better when six or seven people must travel, thanks to its seven seats. The XC60 suits a five-person family carrying luggage, with 483 litres of boot space versus 130 litres in the GLB.