Mercedes-Benz GLB vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Mercedes-Benz GLB starts from $63,900 before on-road costs, while the Alfa Romeo Stelvio opens at $82,950. That makes the Mercedes-Benz GLB the more affordable entry point by $19,050.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $70,290 and $91,245 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Mercedes-Benz GLB by roughly $1,425 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz GLB features a 10.3-inch touchscreen, while the Alfa Romeo Stelvio gets a 8.8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz GLB stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and heated front seats that you will not find on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio counters with Apple CarPlay, ventilated seats and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz GLB uses a Petrol producing 120kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.4 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio responds with a Petrol making 206kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 120kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is 3.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Mercedes-Benz GLB measures 4,634mm long on a 2,829mm wheelbase, 52mm shorter than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio at 4,686mm (2,818mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLB generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 570L in the Mercedes-Benz GLB and 525L in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLB a 45L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz GLB seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio leads with a 1,814kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 214kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m to 11.8m
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,853/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLB and $2,138/year for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. That is a $285 annual difference in favour of the Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Estimated annual total: $1,853 (Mercedes-Benz GLB) vs $2,138 (Alfa Romeo Stelvio). The Mercedes-Benz GLB saves you roughly $285 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz GLB) vs 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Stelvio). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLB if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Mercedes-Benz GLB and Alfa Romeo Stelvio trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Mercedes-Benz GLB will save you roughly $285 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz GLB has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz GLB and Alfa Romeo Stelvio?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is the cheapest at $63,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by $19,050.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB uses the least fuel at 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Mercedes-Benz GLB all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB has the largest boot at 570L.
Which can tow the most?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,814kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio makes the most power at 206kW. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is quickest to 100km/h in 5.7s.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
