The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB is a compact luxury SUV offering many of the German automaker’s finest features at a price that may surprise.
Designed to compete with the likes of the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Lexus NX, the GLB can more than hold its own. It offers the option of all-wheel drive (called “4Matic” in Mercedes-speak) and even a racy AMG model touting 302 horsepower.
Buyers can also opt for a small but kid-friendly third-row seat, something rarely found in an SUV this size.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250: $39,800, GLB 250 4Matic: $41,800
The GLB 250 and GLB 250 4Matic use the same 221-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and 8-speed automatic transmission. The GLB 250 4Matic adds Mercedes-Benz’s all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, giving the little Benz better traction in snow and mud.
Torque Vectoring Brake technology helps keep the GLB planted when rounding curves at high speeds.
Despite its compact size, the GLB is big in safety and driver assistance. It features standard forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot monitor with Exit Warning Assist that alerts exiting passengers of the dangers of approaching traffic or cyclists.
Other safety systems include seven airbags, a rearview monitor, and Crosswind Assist, which helps keep the car in its lane when encountering strong wind gusts.
Buyers wanting more features can opt for the Driver Assistance Package, which brings adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, and active blind-spot assist with rear cross-traffic detection.
Also included are active lane change assist and route-based speed limit adaptation. The package even adds a system to detect when the driver may be incapacitated and automatically stop the vehicle.
Other safety upgrades include a 360-degree surround view monitor, an automatic parking assistant, and second-row side-impact airbags.
A quick walk around the GLB 250’s exterior reveals LED headlights, fog lights, rain-sensing front wipers, and a rear wiper/washer that activates when placing the transmission in reverse.
The GLB 250 rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and features a power rear liftgate, heated power side mirrors, and Mercedes-Benz’s SmartKey keyless entry. With SmartKey, you only need the key fob in your possession to start the vehicle. The GLB can also be started remotely via the Mercedes me mobile app.
Slip inside the GLB’s cabin, and you’ll find handsome and durable MB-Tex faux leather upholstery, 12-way adjustable power front seats with extendable thigh support and 3-position memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat.
Standard amenities include cruise control, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with touch controls, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and one-touch up/down power front windows.
The GLB 250’s infotainment system is stacked full of features. It includes a 7-inch touchscreen, a console-mounted touchpad controller, voice control with natural language recognition using “Hey, Mercedes” activation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and Bluetooth streaming.
Optional equipment for the GLB 250 comes bundled chiefly into packages, although some features are available as standalone equipment.
Opting for the AMG-Line Package brings sport front seats, AMG body and interior styling cues, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a sport steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles.
The Exterior Lighting Package adds adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams. In contrast, the Multimedia Package adds navigation with augmented video and Speed Limit Assist, which monitors posted speed limits and adjusts the vehicle’s speed when using adaptive cruise control.
The Premium Package adds a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch touchscreen display, power-folding side mirrors with auto-dimming driver’s mirror, a hands-free power liftgate, a 115-volt outlet, and Keyless Go. which lets you unlock the doors without having to remove the key fob from your purse or pocket.
Additional options include 19-inch and 20-inch wheels, a panoramic power moonroof, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, 64-color ambient interior lighting, and a third-row seat.
An adjustable suspension with active damping offers improved ride and handling.
On the entertainment front, the GLB 250 offers a 590-watt, 12-speaker Burmester audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, a wireless charging pad, and a gesture-activated assistant that uses overhead cameras to monitor driver and passenger hand movements. By doing so, the system can detect when someone is reaching for a particular control, such as the touchscreen or overhead lights, and activate them automatically.
With the $1,150 destination charge, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 costs $40,950. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $736. See 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 includes:
- Rain-sensing wipers – The GLB’s wipers automatically activate at the slightest hint of rain, mist, or snow hitting the windshield.
- 12-way power front seats – The GLB’s front seats include 4-way power lumbar support and an extendable thigh cushion to help support longer legs. Both seats have 3-position memory, with the driver’s seat including the outside mirror positions.
- Push-button start – With the SmartKey fob in your purse or pocket, you need only press a button to start and drive the GLB.
2023 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35: $51,500
Cooked up by the performance geniuses at Mercedes-Benz’s in-house tuner AMG, the AMG GLB 35 adds considerable power and performance to the GLB, making it the choice for those who demand a more entertaining ride.
Building off the base GLB, the GLB 35 adds a 302-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, AMG-tuned 4Matic AWD and 8-speed automatic transmission, an adaptive sport suspension, AMG sport exhaust, and AMG high-performance brakes.
AMG also tunes the traction and stability management systems to allow more aggressive driving and adds a Sport+ mode to the Dynamic Select drive-mode system.
The GLB 35 includes AMG exterior styling upgrades, 19-inch AMG twin 5-spoke alloy wheels, black fender flares, a rear liftgate spoiler, a black rear diffuser, and four round AMG-style tailpipes.
Inside, the GLB 35 gets sport front seats, 64-color ambient interior lighting, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen media interface, a sport steering wheel, carbon-fiber style inlays, brushed stainless steel pedals, and AMG floor mats.
Optional equipment for the AMG GLB 35 closely mirrors that of the GLB 250, apart from the AMG Night Package that adds black exterior styling elements and black wheels, the AMG Drive Unit, and AMG Track Pace, which lets you store performance data from your day at the track.
With the $1,150 destination charge, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 costs $52,650. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $946. See 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 includes:
- AMG-tuned 2.0-liter engine – Rated at 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, the GLB 35’s engine provides enough power to rocket the little SUV to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds.
- Sport seats – The GLB 35’s sport seats provide more lateral support to better hold the driver and front passenger firmly in place during aggressive driving.
- Available AMG Drive Unit – This steering-wheel-mounted controller lets drivers quickly access various performance systems and features without removing their hands from the steering wheel.
