Mercedes-Benz knows what kind of SUV you really want: a big, hairy G-class but that style icon is priced for the gods and out of reach for the majority of us. Enter the 2023 GLB-class. This spunky little crossover has a boxy look, a big thre-pointed star on the grille, and a starting price about a hundred grand less than Mega-G. Based on the same platform and four-cylinder engine that underpin the sleek GLA-class SUV, the GLB’s squarer proportions endow it with more practicality: additional cargo space and a more upright seating position.
Engine Performance
Behind the GLB's big, grille-mounted three-pointed star is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 221 horsepower. The engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. At our test track, an all-wheel drive example managed a fairly brisk 6.0-second zero-to-60-mph time. We didn't find the GLB250 to be particularly sporty, but for an SUV its ride and handling are agreeable and competent.
Fuel
Front-wheel-drive GLBs carry EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined; the all-wheel-drive version receives the same ratings except for the highway, where it's estimated to receive 30 mpg. Those numbers are comparable but slightly lower than the EPA-estimated mileage of the BMW X1.
Price
GLB250 $40,850
GLB250 4Matic $42,850
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