2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Review: Jam-Packed Subcompact

If you want a nimble little SUV with some boxy styling, there are a few options on the market in the USA, with both the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 doing well in the segment. But the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is a slightly larger subcompact that you can spec with a third row if you want to ferry seven people around. It won't give oodles of space to the passengers in the very back, but the option is there if you want it. The GLB-Class is motivated by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops 221 horsepower and can be had with all-wheel drive. With a good amount of standard cargo space and a long list of available features, the GLB-Class is certainly an enticing proposition alongside more mainstream offerings.

New for 2023

The new Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class SUV remains unchanged for the 2023 model year in the face of a revamp for 2024.

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Price: Which One to Buy

The starting price of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class range is $39,800 for the GLB 250 with front-wheel drive. Upgrading to the 250 4Matic gets you all-wheel drive, but it will cost $41,800. These are MSRP figures and don't reflect tax and registration, or the $1,150 destination fee.

Both models come with all the same standard features, so unless you actually need AWD to deal with common bad weather conditions, you may as well save yourself a few bucks: the difference in price is $2,000, and there's no improvement in 0-60 mph time for choosing one over the other. You can use the extra money to add some options, like Premium Package for an upgraded infotainment system, or the Driver Assistance Package to get an even fuller suite of safety features.

Interior and Features

Even first-time Mercedes shoppers have certain expectations for quality and style, and the GLB-Class delivers, including a surprisingly spacious interior.

It's highly unlikely that you've ever heard a harsh word said about the interior of a Mercedes-Benz, and you won't hear it here, either. The styling is impeccable, and only the best materials are used in its construction, even if you're looking at synthetic leather instead of the real deal. There is naturally a lot more interior space than the smaller GLA, too. The dashboard looks modern and isn't overly cluttered, though the smaller standard infotainment display seems a bit out of place, given the opulence. Luckily you can option on a bigger display, but in either setup, all the controls are well within reach, and all high-traffic areas boast soft-touch materials.

Space

As standard, there is seating for up to five passengers, and all of these appointments are pretty spacious, considering the segment. Even in the back row, only the tallest of passengers would ever have a reason to complain. Up front, the driver and passenger are spoiled with power-adjustable seats that can even be upgraded to sports seats, if you so choose. As you'd expect from a high-riding vehicle, outward visibility is good, and even peripheral vision isn't badly hampered by the support pillars. Getting in and out of the vehicle is a breeze thanks to the step-in height, and the roof doesn't slope at the rear like so many sportier coupe-styled SUVs, so you won't have to slouch down. Things are a little tricker if you option the third-row seats, which eat up almost all the cargo space. Accessing them isn't too difficult, thanks to the fold-down rear seats, but only small children could hope to be comfortable back there.

Cargo

Just how much room you get for cargo is a little tricky to calculate, as opting for the three-row seating configuration changes the layout of the interior. The regular five-seater has 27 cubic feet of space with all the seats upright, or 62 cubic feet if you fold the rear ones down. The seven-seater, has 5.1 cubes standard, 24 cubes with the third row down, and 56.7 cubes with all but the front-most seats folded.

Small-item storage is pretty standard for a family-oriented SUV, with two cupholders in the front and another two in the second-row, fold-down armrest. You also get rather modest door pockets, a spacious glove compartment, and a storage cubby within the center console armrest.

Materials and Colors

Naturally, only the best will do for a Mercedes, so the interior is wrapped in high-quality materials. MB-Tex synthetic leather is standard, in Black, Macchiato Beige, or Neva Grey/Black. There is also a Black MB-Tex with microfiber option that sports red stitching. If you spend an extra $1,450, you can choose from a range of leather upholstery options with interior colors that include Black, Bahia Brown, Classic Red/Black, and Titanium Grey/Black.

There are also a number of interior trims to choose from, with Spiral Look and Carbon Structure being the free choices. Natural Grain Black Linden and Natural Grain Brown Walnut wood trims are also available for $325.

Features and Infotainment

There is a good list of standard features, but if you want the best, you'll have to tick a few boxes. For starters, you get 12-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control, a Smarktey with keyless start, and cruise control standard. There is a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and another seven-inch display for the infotainment. The latter supports HD Radio, Bluetooth streaming, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The available packages and standalone options upgrade the two displays to 10.25-inch units, add navigation and SiriusXM, and replace the standard sound system with a 12-speaker Burmester setup. Heated and ventilated front seats are on offer, along with a heated steering wheel and panorama roof. You also get the option of hands-free access for the liftgate.

Performance

The Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends outputs to the front wheels, or all four wheels, depending on which model you choose. Both models in the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class range can go from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds regardless of drivetrain, which is quicker than the Audi Q3 manages, but the X1 can dispatch the sprint in 6.2 seconds. Top speed is not particularly important here. But while the GLB may not be a performance vehicle, it is still easy and fun to drive in most situations. An optional advanced damping system can deliver a slightly sportier experience if that's what you're after. The steering is light and accurate, and the chassis maintains its composure unless you push the vehicle to extremes. There is a much bigger focus on comfort, with the suspension tuned to absorb bumps in the road. With pretty standard ground clearance for an SUV, the Merc can handle some uneven terrain, but it isn't really designed for off-road adventures.

Fuel Efficiency

Gas mileage isn't usually a huge concern for buyers of luxury vehicles, but the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class seems to have been designed with the hope that its superior fuel economy may attract consumers from its competitors. In regular FWD configuration, the SUV can achieve 24/32/27 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles, while the heavier AWD model sees these figures drop slightly to 22/30/25 mpg.

With a fuel capacity of 15.9 gallons, the subcompact SUV can travel for up to 429 miles with FWD or just under 400 miles with AWD.

Safety

The safety review for the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class differs slightly between the two available trims, which is slightly irregular. If you go for the base FWD model, you'll get four stars from the NHTSA, but with its extra traction, the AWD trim earns a five-star rating. The IIHS hasn't crash-tested the car, so this data can't be corroborated.

The standard safety features are the same for both models, though. These include ABS, stability and traction control, as well as seven airbags. More advanced systems are present, too, such as active brake assist, attention assist, a rearview camera, blind-spot assist, crosswind assist, and an exit warning system. Most buyers should consider adding some optional extras, which include active steering assist, a cross-traffic function for the brake assist, active lane-keep assist, a more advanced blind-spot system, pre-safe, a surround-view camera, and an additional two airbags for rear-seat passengers. Parktronic with active parking assist is a standalone upgrade.

Reliability

J.D. Power awards the German subcompact a 77 out of 100 overall consumer rating, which is average, but the 73/100 for the Merc GLB-Class' reliability is a bit on the low side. This may have something to do with the ten recalls issued in 2021 for reasons including a disabled emergency call system, incorrect headlight leveling, and the incorrect front driver's airbag module, among others. However, the car has been recall-free since that model year, so new buyers shouldn't be as concerned.

Mercedes also offers a good standard warrant for every 2023 GLB-Class that includes four years/50,000 miles of coverage for bumper-to-bumper and powertrain issues.

Warranty

Design

The Merc GLB is a handsome vehicle that stands apart from the smaller GLA with bolder styling and more imposing dimensions. It stands tall and comes equipped with aluminum roof rails as standard, with the option to slot in a panorama sunroof. The front fascia sports a traditional Mercedes grille with the eponymous trie-star logo. A horizontal bar runs across the grille, complementing the front lip accents. The LED headlights have a particularly unique design, with a thin strip of LED daytime running lights surrounding them, broken into two sections by the turning indicators. The rear end is not as exciting, but it also boasts LED taillights and a power-operated liftgate.

Standard 19-inch alloy wheels can be upgraded to 20- or 21-inch variants, with options including AMG wheels that complement the AMG Line Package. This spruces up the exterior with sportier elements, along with a diamond-block grille.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class A Good SUV?

Mercedes always brings its A-game, even when it may not be the expert in a certain segment of the market. The GLB is bigger and bolder than the GLA, but it does misstep in a few areas, like offering a third row of seats that offers minimal passenger space and no room for cargo, as well as a few missing features we'd expect to be standard. But treat it as a regular subcompact, and it doesn't disappoint. The interior is exceptionally high-quality and good-looking, and comfort is never in doubt. This is where the Mercedes stands out from its BMW and Audi competitors, who focus a little more on performance and fun. It remains competitively priced in comparison, too, and along with the optional third row, it offers buyers a lot of choice that other subcompact SUVs don't. All of this combines to make the 2023 GLB-Class a compelling and hard-to-ignore product.