2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Test Drive Review: Made For Suburbia
Mercedes hasn't just joined the modern SUV movement; it has thrown itself at it with a total of eight models for the US market and growing. The Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is one of the latest to join the seemingly never-ending family. This subcompact luxury crossover SUV brings a lot to the table, especially in terms of practicality and style. Under the hood, its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivers 221 horsepower to either the front axle or the brand's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. The interior is a typically stunning affair from Mercedes-Benz, with a trick up its sleeve in the form of a third row of seating that sets it apart from rivals like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.
Mercedes kindly loaned us a new GLB250 4Matic for a week-long test drive and, in general, it delivered the goods. 4Matic, of course, is Mercedes-speak for AWD, an extremely important feature to have in many parts of the country. Here in Denver, snowy weather struck yet again and the GLB more than proved itself with solid, confident handling and sufficient power. It's certainly not a true body-on-frame chassis SUV but rather a well-engineered AWD crossover packed with luxury, generous interior volume, and cool tech. But, as always with any luxury vehicle, the price will quickly soar once optional features are checked on the order form.
What's the Price of the Mercedes-Benz GLB?
Mercedes-Benz has priced the GLB rather aggressively. As a new model, this makes sense, but the GLB has had to sacrifice some features to keep prices down. Still, it is surprisingly affordable for a luxury SUV wearing the three-pointed star on the grille. The FWD GLB 250 goes for an MSRP of $38,600, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,050. The price of the Mercedes GLB increases to $40,600 for the AWD version. Fully-kitted, the GLB will set you back over $60k.
As previously noted, our loaner came well-equipped with things like metallic paint ($720), an AMG Line sport steering wheel ($360), the Multimedia Package, AMG Line appearance package ($2,240), and the Premium Package. The grand total came to $49,725, including destination.
2022 GLB-Class Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182.4 in | 111.4 in | 65.3 in | 72.2 in | 63.2 in | 63.2 in | 3,638.0 lbs |
2022 GLB-Class Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Mercedes-Benz has gone with what it does best: the GLB-Class offers a fair amount of power to get it through traffic and power it down the highway, with a significant focus on comfort. Where rivals such as the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 attempt to mimic the driving dynamics of much smaller and agile cars, the GLB accepts the fact that it is an SUV, and it's much better off for it. That isn't to say that it's a wallowing boat on the road; in fact, it feels very composed, but its suspension is sprung for a relaxed driving experience instead of a canyon carving session. As is the norm in this class, the steering is light and almost devoid of feel, but it is precise and helps to place the front end with reasonable accuracy. At low speeds, the GLB feels composed and quickly soaks up bumps, and at speed, the ride feels seamless. Thanks to the GLB's excellent build quality, sitting inside the cabin while cruising at highway speeds is a relaxing and noise-free experience. It's not as fun to drive as its rivals, but comfort takes precedence in this class. For an even better driving experience, Mercedes-Benz offers an optional adaptive damping system, which enables the GLB to feel slightly more sporty when the need arises.
Our tester came equipped with that adaptive damping suspension, a $990 option. Although we didn't get to experience a GLB without it, the system certainly gave the small crossover a sportier feel but it's also something many drivers could probably do without.
2022 GLB-Class Interior
2022 GLB-Class Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the Mercedes-Benz GLB A Good SUV?
As a relative newcomer to the subcompact luxury SUV market, the GLB has had to put up with some serious competition from its German rivals, as well as competent fighters from across the globe, but the good news is that Mercedes-Benz has delivered a product that is worth looking at. This car's exterior is more SUV-like than its GLA-Class sibling and is a handsome thing to look at. Under the hood lives a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that pumps out enough power to get this SUV going at an impressive rate, and while it might not be as fast as its rival from BMW, out in the real world, it feels just as rapid. Whereas cars such as the BMW X1 feel more sporting on the road, the GLB pleases with a comfortable ride. Inside, the GLB offers one of the most beautifully-crafted interior spaces, and while the standard feature list isn't the longest, you still get all the basics needed to make for a premium experience. The third row is nice to say you have but, again, it's cramped for adults. But the fact the GLB has it while its competitors don't says a lot. Competitively priced and good-looking, the GLB should be high on the list for anyone shopping in this category. If a VW Tiguan is simply too plebian and you must have three rows, this is a logical step up.
What Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Model Should I Buy?
This car is first and foremost a luxury vehicle that aims to transport its occupants in a refined and relaxed manner. The fact that it's an SUV doesn't necessarily mean that it can go off-road, and even if owners decide to take on dirt roads, they won't be able to take on any serious trails. For this reason, we would suggest going with the FWD car for most buyers. As always, there's a caveat to this, and if you live in snow-prone regions, then AWD is a boon. In FWD configuration, the GLB-Class uses slightly less fuel, weighs less, and costs less. We would suggest opting for the $1,750 Premium Package, and the $1,700 Driver Assistance Package, for a total cost of $42,795.
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Comparisons
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs BMW X3
The BMW X3 is possibly one of the best compact luxury SUVs on the market right now and stands at the opposite end of the GLB-Class which is technically classified in a smaller class. Under the hood of the 2022 BMW X3 lies a 248-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-pot or turbocharged six-cylinder that develops 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. In either configuration, the BMW is quicker than the GLB-Class, but the more powerful six-cylinder will guzzle down fuel at a more rapid rate. On the road, the Mercedes and BMW are two completely different beasts; the BMW is stiffer but sharper in the corners and is the more dynamic car to pilot, but some may prefer the comfort of the GLB. The BMW X3 offers excellent cargo space, making it slightly more practical, but the GLB has a better interior, and the option of a third row of seats. The GLB-Class undercuts the BMW X3 by around $5,000, making it the winner in our books.
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class SUV
The GLC has been around longer and sits one rung above the GLB in Mercedes-Benz's SUV roster. Classified as a compact luxury crossover SUV, the GLC takes on a sleeker exterior design, making the GLB look more Geländewagen than modern crossover. Under the hood, the GLC also gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, producing a more muscular 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The GLC sends its power to the rear or all fours via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLC is also a comfortable thing to drive and is arguably the more dynamically talented of the two. Inside, the GLC offers the same stylish design and adds a few luxury features such as standard heated front seats. The GLB, however, offers more cargo space. Starting at around $44,000, the GLC is a more stylish and more powerful option that should appeal to the slightly vain, but you pay for the privilege.