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Mercedes GLB vs Volvo EX40 comparison

Compare performance (354 HP vs 442 HP), boot space and price (43,200 £ vs 45,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes GLB or Volvo EX40?

Mercedes GLB vs Volvo EX40: Key differences

Mercedes GLB

3.6 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • very slightly cheaper
  • marginally more efficient
  • marginally more electric range
  • a bit lighter
  • markedly more trunk space
details

Volvo EX40

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • moderately more power
  • moderately quicker 0–100 km/h
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

GLB

Overview: Mercedes GLB VS Volvo EX40 — two different takes on compact premium SUVs

Mercedes GLB VS Volvo EX40 pits a pragmatic, family‑oriented compact SUV against a calm, comfort‑first electric model. The Mercedes GLB plays the utility card: flexible seating (including a usable third row for kids), strong towing capability in certain trims, and EV variants engineered around very fast charging. The Volvo EX40 answers with restrained Scandinavian comfort: highly supportive seats, a quiet cabin and smart Google navigation that makes charging stops easier to plan. Where the GLB emphasizes versatility and pace when needed, the EX40 prioritizes serenity and an effortless daily routine.

EX40

Character and driving feel

The Mercedes GLB feels purposeful and slightly more workmanlike — composed on motorways and predictable in town, with the kind of heft that reassures when towing or carrying family loads. The Volvo EX40 is softer around the edges: it soaks up miles with minimal fuss and never protests when you ask for a relaxed cruise, but it won’t reward an enthusiastic driver with sharp steering or sporty dynamics. If you want responsiveness and the option to haul or seat more people, the GLB leans closer to that brief; if you want a sedate, confidence‑inspiring daily companion, the EX40 leans toward comfort and calm. Each car telegraphs its focus from the seat of the pants — GLB practical, EX40 composed.

GLB

Comfort, cabin feel and perceived quality

Inside, the Volvo EX40 presents a clean, Scandinavian calm: seats designed for long hours, uncluttered lines and a relaxed ambience that immediately reduces driver stress. The Mercedes GLB shows off a techy, modern cockpit with a big screen presence and lots of connectivity, but some finishes and plastic touches betray a more pragmatic execution of premium. Infotainment stability can be an issue on the EX40 at times, while the GLB’s touch‑centric control layout will irritate buyers who miss physical knobs. In short, EX40 feels softer and more serene; GLB feels more gadget‑rich and functionally raw.

EX40

Practicality and everyday usability

For families the Mercedes GLB stretches further: larger rear access, a genuinely useful (if child‑oriented) third row, and the sort of cargo flexibility that makes impromptu packing easier. The Volvo EX40 is no slouch — its variable floor and frunk are thoughtfully executed — but overall luggage space and towing potential sit behind the GLB’s more utility‑focused packaging. In city driving the EX40’s compact footprint and light steering make parking and stop‑and‑go traffic less tiring, while the GLB’s upright stance and wide door openings make child seats and daily loading noticeably simpler. Choose GLB when adaptability and load‑carrying matter; choose EX40 when daily manoeuvrability and clever packing trump maximum cargo volume.

GLB

Long‑distance behaviour and charging practicality

On the motorway both cars are pleasantly composed, but they get there by different routes: the Mercedes GLB’s electric variants prioritize rapid high‑power charging so long trips can be handled with short stops, and the chassis generally stays steady at speed. The Volvo EX40 rewards calm cruising with superb seat support and low cabin noise, though real‑world energy use at sustained high speeds tends to require more careful range planning. Navigation and charge‑planning are a strength for the EX40 thanks to integrated route guidance, whereas the GLB’s charging architecture can make long runs more convenient where high‑power stations exist. If regular fast‑charging availability is in your area, the GLB eases long runs; if you value uninterrupted comfort and confident cruise assist, the EX40 makes those miles pleasant — but with more attention to charging strategy.

EX40

Buyer fit and trade‑offs — who should pick which car?

The Mercedes GLB is the sensible pick for buyers who need flexibility: families who occasionally carry seven people, owners who tow or regularly load bulky gear, and drivers who value fast public charging and a pragmatic interior. The Volvo EX40 suits buyers who prioritise seat comfort, a tranquil cabin and easy urban use — commuters and small families who want stress‑free day‑to‑day life and reliable route planning. Price and equipment choices will shift the balance — the GLB often undercuts the EX40 on cost while the EX40 leans on creature comforts — so match those trade‑offs to your routine before diving into the technical sheet. The detailed specs that follow will help you translate these real‑world differences into numbers for the decision that fits your life.

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Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

GLB

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Mercedes GLB is very slightly cheaper – starting at 43,200 £ , while the Volvo EX40 costs 45,200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 2,051 £.

In terms of energy consumption, the Mercedes GLB is marginally more efficient: consuming 15.4 kWh/100km compared to 16.6 kWh/100km for the Volvo EX40. That’s a difference of about 1.2 kWh/100km.

As for electric range, the Mercedes GLB offers marginally more range – reaching up to 631 km, about 55 km more than the Volvo EX40.

EX40

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Volvo EX40 offers moderately more power – delivering 442 HP compared to 354 HP. That’s roughly 88 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Volvo EX40 is moderately quicker – completing the sprint in 4.6 s, while the Mercedes GLB takes 5.5 s. That’s about 0.9 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Volvo EX40 delivers noticeably more torque with 670 Nm compared to 515 Nm. That’s about 155 Nm more.

GLB

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Mercedes GLB is a bit lighter – 1,840 kg compared to 2,040 kg. The difference is around 200 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes GLB offers markedly more boot space – 540 L compared to 410 L. That’s a difference of about 130 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes GLB carries marginally more – 505 kg compared to 480 kg. That’s a difference of about 25 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Volvo EX40 is slightly ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £45,200
EX40

Volvo EX40

  • Engine Type : Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 238 - 442 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 16.6 - 17.6 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 477 - 576 km
details
Mercedes GLB
Volvo EX40

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Mercedes GLB

The Mercedes GLB is a practical compact SUV that mixes boxy, family-friendly space with premium German polish, making it an appealing choice for buyers who want usefulness without pretension. It drives with a confident, composed feel and somehow manages to look both rugged and refined — the grown-up SUV that still likes to have fun.

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Reviews Mercedes GLB

3.6 (4 Reviews)
rate
Hans
19 Feb 2026, 02:39:00

Great car — very satisfied with the GLB 250 4MATIC.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Leisure / Weekend driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

Volvo EX40

The Volvo EX40 wraps Scandinavian calm and clever practicality into a compact electric package that feels both premium and refreshingly uncomplicated. It's the grown-up answer to flashier rivals — a safe, comfy, and city-friendly EV with thoughtful tech that makes everyday driving quietly satisfying.

details
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311246_XC40_Recharge
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Reviews Volvo EX40

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
Bent
16 May 2026, 19:14:01

Stable car and generally good build quality — but I hate the Google and infotainment systems, which both seem designed to irritate the user as much as possible.
I'm looking at a Toyota B4ZX AWD when the lease on my EX40 expires. I need to be able to tow 1,500 kg, but without going broke.

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Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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Mercedes GLB
Volvo EX40

Costs and Consumption
Price
43,200 - 62,400 £
Price
45,200 - 58,200 £
Consumption L/100km
5.7 - 6.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
15.4 - 15.9 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
16.6 - 17.6 kWh/100km
Electric Range
431 - 631 km
Electric Range
477 - 576 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 138 g/km
co2
0 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,840 - 2,280 kg
Curb weight
2,040 - 2,170 kg
Trunk capacity
540 L
Trunk capacity
410 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,861 mm
Width
1,863 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
485 - 505 kg
Payload
430 - 480 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric, Full Hybrid
Engine Type
Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
156 - 354 HP
Power HP
238 - 442 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.5 - 9.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 7.3 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
280 - 515 Nm
Torque
420 - 670 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
-
Power kW
115 - 260 kW
Power kW
175 - 325 kW
Engine capacity
1,499 cm3
Engine capacity
-

General
Model Year
2026
Model Year
2,024 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
A, D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
Volvo
What drive types are available for the Mercedes GLB?

Available configurations include Rear-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.