2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB was characterized by its boxy and tall design, setting it apart from other small Mercedes SUVs. Built on a front-wheel-drive platform with an optional 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, it featured a long, flat hood, an upright windshield, and a nearly vertical rear liftgate. The vehicle's design prioritized function over form, maximizing interior volume within its narrow and short frame. The test model, painted in Mountain Gray metallic and equipped with the AMG Line design package, showcased a stylish appearance with 20-inch AMG wheels. The GLB's interior exuded a sense of luxury, with dual 10.25-inch screens, ambient lighting, and a blend of MB-Tex leatherette and Dinamica suede seats. Despite some metallic trim pieces revealing its affordability, the GLB's cabin was a delightful space, offering a high level of comfort and quality.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, a second-generation model introduced in 2007, showed its age despite a facelift in 2018. The Sequoia's massive, multi-tiered center dash design and standard 7-inch touchscreen appeared outdated. However, the vehicle offered a spacious cabin, with ample headroom and legroom in the second row. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the range-topping Platinum, each offering various features and packages. The Nightshade Special Edition, driven during the test, featured black 20-inch wheels, black leather upholstery, and a larger 9-inch touchscreen. While the Sequoia's design and technology felt dated, its cabin space and comfort remained strong selling points.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB was available in GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic specifications, both powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The SUV accelerated to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, aided by its wide torque band and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 4Matic AWD system provided optimal grip and performance, with an Off-Road mode for maximum traction. The test vehicle, equipped with an adaptive damping suspension and 20-inch AMG wheels, offered a soft ride in Comfort mode and a more dynamic experience in Sport mode. Despite its modest engine specifications, the GLB delivered an enjoyable driving experience, though its brakes faded prematurely during spirited driving.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, generating 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission routed power through standard rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive. The Sequoia's acceleration was robust, despite its weight of up to 6,000 pounds. The SUV's driving dynamics resembled those of a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes. While body-roll was present in cornering, the Sequoia's wide stance provided stability. The vehicle could tow up to 7,400 pounds, though it lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in towing capacity.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB offered generous interior dimensions, surpassing the more expensive GLC in space. An optional third row of seats was available, a feature not found in other Mercedes SUVs except the larger GLS. The GLB comfortably accommodated four adults, with ample headroom, tall seating positions, and large windows. The second-row seat could slide to adjust space for third-row passengers or cargo. The test vehicle's front seats provided power adjustment but lacked heating and ventilation. Cargo space measured 22 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 62 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with it folded. With all rear seats down, the Sequoia offered 120 cubic feet of cargo space. The vehicle featured a power-retractable rear window, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a massive center console. Despite its age, the Sequoia's cabin remained practical and accommodating.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB's Premium Package, priced at $2,200, upgraded the standard 7-inch screens to twin 10.25-inch displays, enhancing the infotainment experience with lush graphics and customization options. The Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and natural voice recognition. The Multimedia Package added a navigation system with augmented video, while the Parking Assistance Package offered a surround-view camera and semi-autonomous parking assistance. The 12-speaker Burmester premium sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The test model's larger 9-inch screen still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system, though dated, was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but functional, offering a straightforward interface.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB came standard with several safety features, including a driver monitoring system, backup camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a Pre-Safe front collision preparation system. Optional safety features included second-row side-impact airbags and blind-spot monitoring with Exit Warning Assist. The Driver Assistance Package offered advanced systems like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and evasive steering assistance. However, the GLB had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of publication.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors were also standard. Despite lacking advanced tech like lane-keeping assist, the Sequoia provided a comprehensive list of safety features. However, it scored four out of five stars in NHTSA's rollover test and had not been rated in further crash tests.