Mercedes-Benz GLB vs Subaru Outback
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Subaru Outback scores higher, 76 vs 63
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 1 Oct 2026, price 1 Oct 2026
Mercedes-Benz GLB
15 of 27 standard · no option data · 12 no dataPrice TBC
The manufacturer has not published an Australian price for this model yet.
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- No data
- Power
- 120kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- No data
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Subaru Outback
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 9 no dataFrom
$48,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 137kW
- Economy
- 8.1 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2021
- Boot (seats up)
- 530L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 63
Subaru Australia offer: bonus, $850 toward your deposit. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
No end date printed
$850 Fitted Accessories
Offer from Subaru Australia, checked 9 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the maker prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
Mercedes-Benz GLB: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 5 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
No price
- no option data for this car
$48,990RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Mercedes-Benz GLB GLB 200
No price published
The manufacturer has not published an Australian price.
$71,429 drive-away in VIC, as published by Mercedes-Benz Australia
About $307 a week in repayments ($71,429 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Subaru Outback AWD
$48,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 29 July 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $203 a week in repayments ($48,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$203/wk(≈$881/mo)
Estimate on the Subaru Outback at $48,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz GLBDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz GLB a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 5 of 10 key systems on the Mercedes-Benz GLB and 6 on the Subaru Outback.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz GLB
- REC-006695 · published 12 Aug 2026Nine model lines: door lock defect (campaign RC5219)Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2026
- REC-006158 · published 6 Nov 2024The tyres within this production range may not meet manufacturing specifications which may lead to deflation of the tyre.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-005949 · published 15 Apr 2024The electrical power steering control unit back-up software may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
- 8 more on the model page.
Subaru Outback
- REC-005831 · published 20 Nov 2023The front drive shaft may not meet manufacturing specifications and the outer race of the front driveshaft may crack.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005485 · published 3 Aug 2022Due to a manufacturing issue, the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) adaptor cord connector may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2018
- REC-001697 · published 24 Aug 2021The fuel pump impeller may not meet manufacturing specifications, as a result it may become deformed.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
- 11 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz GLB stands out with Apple CarPlay, head-up display, wireless charging and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Outback. The Subaru Outback counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz GLB gets black artico man-made leather upholstery while the Subaru Outback offers synthetic leather.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Mercedes-Benz GLB lines up producing 120kW, sent through a 8g-edct dual clutch transmission, 8-speed automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.7 seconds.
The Subaru Outback responds with a Petrol making 137kW and 254Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.
The Subaru Outback has the clear power advantage at 137kW vs 120kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru Outback turns in a 11.1 m circle, kerb to kerb; the Mercedes-Benz GLB's turning circle is not on our record.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLB costs about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/100km) and fuel for the Subaru Outback about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $171 a year less for the Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLB) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Outback). Capped-price servicing: no data (Mercedes-Benz GLB), 5 years (Subaru Outback).
Where each one leads
The Mercedes-Benz GLB: lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,138 a year against $2,309).
The Subaru Outback: more power (137kW against 120kW).
The Verdict
Subaru Outback scores higher, 76 vs 63
The Subaru Outback scores 76 to the Mercedes-Benz GLB's 63 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 1 of the 2 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Subaru Outback ahead by 35 points), practicality (Subaru Outback ahead by 18 points), value (Subaru Outback ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLB costs about $171 less (7.5 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$203/wk(≈$881/mo)
Estimate on the Subaru Outback at $48,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Paid from pre-tax salary with the running costs inside the lease. What it comes to depends on your salary and the term.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Mercedes-Benz GLBDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz GLB and Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback is the cheapest at $48,990 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB uses the least fuel at 7.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Subaru Outback holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2021). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz GLB, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which can tow the most?
The Subaru Outback has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru Outback makes the most power at 137kW.
Track the Mercedes-Benz GLB & Subaru Outback
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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