Compare the2026 Mercedes GLBVS 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid

The GLB’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes GLB has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The GLB has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Sportage Hybrid S/EX/X-Line/SX-Prestige offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLB has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Active Brake Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Sportage Hybrid S/EX/X-Line/SX-Prestige offers Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning.

Both the GLB and the Sportage Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The GLB’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sportage Hybrid runs out after 100,000 miles.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes GLB is faster than the Kia Sportage Hybrid:

Both the GLB and Sportage Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The GLB has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The GLB has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage Hybrid (15.9 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Mercedes GLB, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sportage Hybrid.

The GLB offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the GLB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sportage Hybrid:

The GLB’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sportage Hybrid LX’s standard 65 series tires. The GLB’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Sportage Hybrid X-Line/SX-Prestige’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLB has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sportage Hybrid LX. The GLB’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Sportage Hybrid X-Line/SX-Prestige.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the GLB can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GLB offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Sportage Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLB’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLB’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Sportage Hybrid (111.4 inches vs. 108.5 inches).

The GLB 250 4MATIC handles at .83 G’s, while the Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLB 250 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige AWD (27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The GLB offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Sportage Hybrid can only carry 5.

The GLB has 1.1 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the Sportage Hybrid.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the GLB. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The GLB uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sportage Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige, the GLB has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, suspension setting, power steering assist, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLB’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sportage Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Sportage Hybrid EX/X-Line/SX-Prestige’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the GLB the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Sportage Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GLB offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The GLB also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The GLB’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Kia only offers heated mirrors on the Sportage Hybrid S/EX/X-Line/SX-Prestige.

The GLB’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sportage Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Mercedes GLB has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Sportage Hybrid X-Line/SX-Prestige.

The GLB has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Sportage Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.