2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class AMG GLB 35

　　

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Review

byKristin ShawContributor

　　Kristin Shaw has worked in the automotive industry as a freelance writer since 2012. Her first review was about a Ferrari F430, which is a great place to start for a lifelong enthusiast. She has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the past decade, and some of her favorites include the C2 and C8 Corvette, Lamborghini Aventador S, BMW X5 and Toyota GR86. Her dream car is a restomod 1957 Chevy Bel Air in turquoise. She's competing in her first Rebelle Rally, an all-female off-roading competition, in the fall of 2022 in a lifted Hyundai Santa Cruz. Her work has also been seen in The Drive, AutoWise, GearJunkie, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes Wheels, Today, The Washington Post and more.

　　The middle child of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-GLB-GLC family, the GLB is larger than the subcompact GLA and smaller than the GLC, with an appropriate price point between them. Boxy, in a way that creates more space and carves out a silhouette all its own, the GLB features comfortable, upright seating and a premium interior leaving no question about its place as a luxury SUV.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class AMG GLB 35 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$199/mo  for GLB-Class AMG GLB 35

　　GLB-Class AMG GLB 35

　　AMG GLB 35 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) (Most Popular) - $51,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Replete with current technology, including the brand's excellent MBUX infotainment system, the GLB is also equipped with a generous set of driver assist systems. One such example is Pre-Safe Sound, which emits a unique noise through the stereo speakers to protect your hearing when a collision is imminent.

　　Four passengers will be more than comfortable in the front and outboard seats of the second row, and we recommend the optional multi-contour seats designed to mitigate soreness on longer trips. A third row is available in the GLB, but you'll want to reserve it for small children during quick errands and not family road trips.

　　The GLB is comparable in price and size to the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40. Of the four models, the GLB may not be the most exciting to drive unless you choose the AMG GLB 35 variant. What it does have going for it is superior comfort, a wonderful seating position and effective technology. Read on for more information about the Mercedes-Benz GLB from our Expert Rating team.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the GLB-Class drive? In our testing, the GLB 250 reached 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, which is properly quick and at the top of the class. When you stomp the pedal, there's a noticeable delay before it starts accelerating, but with a lighter pedal application, it gets underway smoothly.

　　The GLB isn't particularly exciting to drive, but it is more capable than most SUV owners will need. The GLB's brakes are easy to control for smooth stops and impressively strong when you need to make an emergency stop. Around turns, the GLB feels sure-footed and planted.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the GLB-Class? The optional multi-contour seats with ventilation and heating are comfortable for hours at a time. The massage function doesn't actually massage. Rather, it subtly changes the seatback and cushion angles to shift your contact points, which in theory should help alleviate soreness on long trips. The rear seats are lower and shorter, which means taller passengers will find thigh support lacking, but not by much.

　　The suspension tuning is on the soft side in Comfort mode, easily soaking up road imperfections. It can feel a little floaty on certain broad undulations, but it's far from unsettling. Sport mode dials out that softness without introducing any harshness. The cabin is pleasantly quiet on the highway, even on coarser surfaces.

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