2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB

2023 is the final pre-facelift year of the first-generation X247. The GLB 250 uses the conventional (non-hybrid) M260 2.0L turbo I4 at 221 hp; the AMG GLB 35 tops the range at 302 hp.

The 2.0L turbo makes 258 lb-ft from 1,800 rpm, which is competitive for the subcompact luxury class.

The manufacturer-quoted 0–60 time for the GLB 250 is 6.9 s, mid-pack for the class. Instrumented tests have run about 6.0 s, and the AMG GLB 35 is quoted at 5.1 s.

The turbo four is quiet at a cruise and has a broad torque plateau. Without the 48V starter-generator that arrived for 2024, stop-start restarts are more noticeable, and reviewers found the engine coarse when worked hard and slightly laggy off the line.

The 8-speed dual-clutch shifts quickly at speed but is jerky and hesitant in low-speed stop-and-go traffic, a recurring complaint about Mercedes' MFA2 models.

A hitch-equipped GLB 250 4MATIC is commonly rated at 3,500 lbs braked, which is strong for the class. Mercedes-Benz USA does not prominently publish the US tow rating.

4MATIC AWD is optional on the GLB 250 (FWD is the base) and standard on the AMG GLB 35. It works well in bad weather but has no low range or advanced terrain hardware.

A road-focused crossover with about 7.9 in of maximum ground clearance and modest approach/departure angles. The optional Off-Road Engineering package on 4MATIC models adds an off-road drive mode and downhill speed regulation, but there are no lockers and no off-road trim.

For 2023 the US GLB offers only two tunes of the same 2.0L turbo (GLB 250 at 221 hp, AMG GLB 35 at 302 hp). The electric version was sold separately as the EQB.

The volume GLB 250 4MATIC (2.0L turbo, 8-speed DCT, no mild hybrid for 2023) is EPA-rated at 25 MPG combined; the FWD GLB 250 gets 27.

This is the EPA city rating for the 4MATIC volume trim; AWD costs 2 MPG against FWD.

This is the EPA highway rating for the 2023 4MATIC volume trim, 2 MPG below FWD.

Calculated from the EPA combined rating and the 15.9-gallon (60 L) tank; the FWD version reaches about 429 miles.

This is EPA's annual fuel-cost estimate for the volume 4MATIC trim at standard assumptions, raised by the premium fuel requirement.

Every 2023 GLB, from the GLB 250 to the AMG GLB 35, requires premium unleaded, which makes it more expensive to fuel than rivals that accept regular.

NHTSA fully rated the 2023 GLB: 5-star overall, 4-star frontal (driver 5, passenger 4), 5-star side and side pole, 4-star rollover.

IIHS has never crash-tested the first-generation GLB, so the 2023 model has no award and no small-overlap, moderate-overlap or updated side results; held at the top of the untested band because the shared MFA2 structure earned 5 stars from Euro NCAP and NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall.

The pre-facelift 2023 GLB 250 includes Active Brake Assist (AEB with pedestrian/cyclist detection), Blind Spot Assist, Attention Assist and Crosswind Assist as standard, but adaptive cruise, steering-based lane centering and active blind-spot braking sit in the optional Driver Assistance Package — thinner standard kit than BMW X1 or Volvo XC40.

No IIHS front crash prevention evaluation exists for the GLB; Active Brake Assist covers vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists and scored well in Euro NCAP AEB testing on the shared platform, but without a US day/night pedestrian result it cannot reach the top band.

Blind Spot Assist with vehicle exit warning is standard but alert-only; Active Blind Spot Assist with braking intervention and rear cross-traffic functions require optional Driver Assistance / parking packages.

When optioned, Active Steering Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist provide smooth, well-regarded centering, but a volume GLB 250 without the Driver Assistance Package gets only lane departure warning.

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is a refined full-speed stop-and-go system integrated with Active Steering Assist and route-based speed adaptation, held out of the top band because it is optional on the volume trim.

No hands-free driving option on the 2023 GLB — Mercedes' DRIVE PILOT is limited to the S-Class and EQS, and the GLB's Driver Assistance Package is a hands-on Level 2 system.

The pre-facelift 2023 GLB has standard LED headlights with adaptive high-beam assist and Multibeam LED optional, but IIHS has never rated the GLB's headlights, so measured performance is unverified.

The GLB's boxy, upright greenhouse, tall side glass and near-vertical tailgate give clearly better sightlines than the sloping GLA; a rearview camera is standard and a 360-degree camera is optional.

A wheelbase 3.9 in longer than the GLA, a sliding second row and tall, square rear doors make fitting rear-facing seats easier than most subcompact luxury rivals, but three-across is tight and IIHS has not rated the GLB's LATCH hardware.

The volume 2023 GLB 250 seats five. A two-place third row is optional, which makes the GLB the only 7-seat choice in the subcompact luxury class.

The tall, boxy X247 body gives generous front headroom. The body shell is unchanged from launch, so the figure applies across the generation.

Front legroom is adequate but on the short side for an SUV.

The upright roof is carried well rearward, giving second-row headroom that beats most subcompact luxury rivals.

The 111.4-in wheelbase, 10 cm longer than the GLA's, and a sliding second row give roomy rear legroom for the class.

The third row is optional and suits only a couple of smaller passengers on short trips. About 29 in of legroom and roughly 5 cu ft of cargo behind it make it a token seat for anyone but kids, though it is rare in the class.

There is 22 cu ft behind the second row of a 5-seat GLB, a usefully square hold. That is mid-pack for the class.

Maximum cargo is 62.0 cu ft, ahead of the BMW X1 and among the largest in the subcompact luxury class.

A sliding, reclining 40/20/40 second row and a square, flat-loading cargo hold make it versatile. The pre-facelift console carries the MBUX touchpad, which takes up console space, and door and bin storage is otherwise ordinary.

The front and second-row seats are supportive and comfortable on longer drives, though some find them tight, and heated seats cost extra on 2023 cars. The third row is cramped.

The highway ride is smooth and composed, but sharp impacts come through on the larger optional wheels, and adaptive damping is optional.

The cabin is quiet at a steady cruise, but the upright body brings more wind noise than expected for a luxury vehicle, and the 2.0T is coarse when worked hard. Without the 2024 48V system, stop-start restarts are also more noticeable.

Dual-zone climate and rear vents are standard, but heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and KEYLESS-GO are options on the 2023 GLB 250; the 2024 refresh made them standard. Ventilated seats are not offered on the volume trim.

The pre-facelift 2023 GLB 250 FWD listed at $39,800 before destination, about $4,900 below the refreshed 2024 car's $44,650 base.

The AWD GLB 250 4MATIC is the volume configuration at $41,800 + $1,150 destination. Most dealer stock carried the roughly $2,000+ Premium package, putting a typical build near $45,000.

No 2023-specific KBB maintenance figure was retrievable. The GLB shares its M260 2.0T, 8-speed DCT and MFA2 platform with the GLA, whose KBB 5-year maintenance and repair figure is about $8,000, so that is used. Estimates bracket it widely: CarEdge is lower, and KBB's later-year GLB projection is higher.

KBB's market data shows the 2023 GLB 250 4MATIC has lost 36–38% of its value in about three years, about 63% retained. Extrapolating at its recent ~$3,000-per-year decline points to roughly 50% at five years. iSeeCars (~55%) and CarEdge (~61%) are kinder, so ~52% is used.

This is the standard Mercedes-Benz new-vehicle limited warranty. It matches BMW, Audi and Volvo and trails Genesis and Lincoln's longer terms.

Mercedes-Benz has no separate powertrain warranty. The engine and DCT are covered only under the 4 yr / 50k basic warranty, which is below the band's 5-year floor.

Roadside assistance runs for the warranty period and a Mercedes me connect trial is included, but no scheduled maintenance is free. Services are paid individually or bought through Prepaid Maintenance. That is weaker than BMW Ultimate Care (3 yr/36k) and Volvo's included maintenance.

$45,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (52% retained, or about $23,400) leaves about $21,600 in depreciation. Add the projected $8,000 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $29,600 in total.

Neither Consumer Reports nor J.D. Power publishes a model-specific reliability score for the 2023 GLB, and Mercedes models generally predict below average. 2023 is the last carry-over year of the pre-facelift X247, with launch-year problems already worked out, and owner and third-party data are modestly positive. That puts it in the average band.

Mercedes-Benz sits in the lower third of Consumer Reports' brand reliability rankings year after year. In J.D. Power's U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study it trails the premium leaders: Lexus, Porsche and Cadillac.

Only one NHTSA campaign covers the 2023 GLB: the fleet-wide driver door-lock micro-switch recall, where a fault can stop Auto-Park or the parking brake engaging and risks a rollaway. That is far cleaner than the 2020–2021 launch years, and none of it touches the powertrain.

The volume GLB 250 4MATIC uses the M260 2.0L turbo four and the 8G-DCT dual-clutch, an MFA2 combination in service since 2019 with no widespread failures. 2023 predates the 48V mild hybrid, so it carries none of that newer system's risk. The DCT draws complaints about low-speed behavior, which keeps it in the mid band.

The pre-facelift cabin has the twin-screen widescreen cockpit and turbine vents, and it reads clearly above mainstream compacts. Reviewers note hard plastics low in the cabin and less polish than the GLC. It also lacks the 2024 refresh's updated MBUX and new wheel, so it is competitive rather than class-leading.

The GLB is built at the COMPAS plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and by its fourth model year assembly is mature. Reviewers report tight builds on test cars. Scattered owner reports of squeaks and electronics glitches keep it short of the top tier.

Mercedes-Benz has a dense US network of roughly 380+ dealers, with strong metro coverage and luxury amenities such as loaners. Its service satisfaction is respectable but trails Lexus and Cadillac.

Parts are readily available through dealers, and the MFA2 platform shares components with the A-Class, CLA and GLA. Mercedes OEM parts and labor rates are still among the highest in the segment.

The 2023 GLB 250 comes standard with a 7-in MBUX touchscreen. The 10.25-in screen needs the Premium Package and became standard only with the 2024 refresh.

First-generation MBUX is quick, with sharp graphics, and offers touchscreen, console touchpad, steering-wheel touch controls and voice, plus physical climate controls. The many overlapping inputs and capacitive wheel pads make it fussy, and the standard 7-in screen feels small.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the 2023 GLB, but wireless support arrived with the MY2024 facelift, so the 2023 is wired as delivered. One dealer listing claims wireless; that is unconfirmed.

The natural-language 'Hey Mercedes' assistant is standard and capable. Built-in navigation and augmented-reality guidance are optional package content, so many volume cars rely on phone projection.

The standard audio is adequate. The optional 12-speaker, 590-watt Burmester system is a strong upgrade; Dolby Atmos came only for 2024.

A configurable 7-in digital driver display is standard, with the full 10.25-in widescreen pair optional. The cluster is fully digital on every trim but smaller than the 2024 standard setup.

MBUX receives over-the-air updates for infotainment and maps. Whole-vehicle software updates arrived only with the MB.OS-based second-generation GLB.

The Mercedes me app covers remote lock and unlock, remote start, a vehicle locator and status. Some services become paid subscriptions after the trial, and there is no phone-as-key.

USB-C ports serve both rows, and wireless charging and a 115V outlet are package options. The 2024 refresh added another USB-C port.

A power liftgate and app-based remote start are standard. Keyless entry and ignition (KEYLESS-GO) and the hands-free liftgate are optional on 2023 cars and became standard only in 2024.

A rear camera is standard. The 360-degree camera and Active Parking Assist come only in the optional Parking Assistance package.

On the X247 GLB a head-up display is available only as a high-level package option; it is not standard on the volume GLB 250.

Tall, square rear doors, a sliding and reclining second row and 39.3 in of rear headroom with 38.1 in of legroom make car seats easy for the class. The optional third row adds kid seating no rival offers.

NHTSA rates the 2023 GLB 5 stars overall, and AEB and Blind Spot Assist with exit warning are standard. IIHS never tested it, and adaptive cruise and lane centering are optional.

Four adults ride comfortably, with good rear space, rear vents and a smooth highway ride. With the third row in use only about 5 cu ft of luggage space remains, and heated seats cost extra.

High seating and good visibility make it easy to live with. The 8-speed dual-clutch is jerky and hesitant in traffic, and stop-start restarts are noticeable without the 2024 48V system.

It returns mid-20s MPG on premium fuel and has luxury-brand running costs, and it lacks the 1–2 mpg the 2024 mild hybrid adds. That is typical of the class, not cheap per mile.

A 182-in footprint, an upright greenhouse and a standard rear camera make it easy to place. The 38.4-ft turning circle is average, and the 360 camera sits in a package.

A hitch-equipped 4MATIC is rated to 3,500 lb, and the boxy 62 cu ft hold swallows bulky items. It is still a luxury crossover with modest payload.

It has a luxury-trimmed cabin and a dual-clutch transmission not suited to hard use, and no fleet or work reputation.

Cargo tie-downs, available roof rails and an optional hitch are the extent of it. There is no standard onboard power, washable flooring or upfit ecosystem.

Highway cruising is relaxed thanks to a composed ride and supportive seats. Wind noise and an optional rather than standard DISTRONIC keep it out of the top band.

4MATIC, about 7.9 in of clearance, the optional Off-Road Engineering package and a 3,500-lb hitch handle gravel roads and small trailers. It is not a trail vehicle.

A square hold, a sliding 40/20/40 second row, 62 cu ft maximum, roof rails and an available hitch beat most class rivals, though space behind the second row is modest.

It is competent, secure and predictable, but the tall body is not as athletic as the BMW X1. The AMG GLB 35 is far sharper.

The steering is accurate and nicely weighted but numb, with less feedback than more agile rivals.

Braking is predictable, with a firm, progressive pedal in everyday use. No instrumented stopping distance for 2023 was retrieved, so it is held at a class-typical level.

The 2.0T has a broad torque plateau, but the dual-clutch is slow to respond off the line and jerky in traffic. Without the 2024 48V starter-generator, stop-start restarts are rougher.

The engine is quiet at a cruise but coarse and buzzy when worked hard. It is audible without being intrusive in normal driving.

The 38.4-ft turning circle is about average for a compact crossover with a 111.4-in wheelbase. The chassis was unchanged through the 2024 facelift.

An upright driving position, 40.7 in of front headroom and big glass give excellent sightlines, and physical climate controls remain. Overlapping MBUX inputs, capacitive wheel pads and 41.1 in of front legroom cost a few points.

The GLB 250 is pleasant and practicality-first but forgettable to drive, and the jerky DCT dulls it further. Enthusiasts are pointed to the AMG GLB 35 or the BMW X1.

The pre-facelift 2023 GLB 250 comes standard with MBUX, LED lights, AEB, power liftgate and wired CarPlay/Android Auto. Heated seats, keyless-go, blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise, the larger dual-screen setup and the third row are all in packages. KBB calls it 'not particularly well-equipped to start', and the 2024 refresh moved several of those items into standard spec.

At $40,950–$42,950 delivered the 2023 GLB undercut the X1, Q3 and its own 2024 successor by several thousand dollars, for the same 221-hp 2.0T with standard 8-speed DCT. It also brings a roomier cabin and the class's only optional third row. Thin standard equipment means a typical packaged car still lands near $45K, so this is fair-to-good value rather than a standout.

The lineup is GLB 250 FWD, GLB 250 4MATIC and AMG GLB 35 4MATIC, spanning roughly $41K–$53K delivered. An optional third-row bench makes it the only 7-seat choice in the class, and the package menu is broad. There is no hybrid or plug-in; the electric EQB is a separate nameplate.

The GLB sold strongly early in the generation, with over 20K US units a year in 2021–2022. 2023 volume fell to about 16.7K, trailing the BMW X1 and its own GLA sibling.

The three-pointed star is one of the strongest luxury badges in the US and a major draw for first-time luxury buyers stepping into the GLB.

Early in the 2023 model year, luxury inventory was still tight after the chip shortage, so discounts were thin. Lease and Mercedes-Benz Financial offers returned as stock recovered, and remaining 2023s were discounted ahead of the 2024 facelift.

2023 is the fourth year of the X247 generation (launched MY2020) and the last pre-facelift year. The MY2024 refresh brought new lights, updated MBUX with wireless smartphone integration and a 48V mild hybrid, so a 2023 buyer got the outgoing version right before an update.

Reviewers praise its boxy practicality, cabin quality, MBUX tech and unique optional 7-seat layout. They criticise the DCT's low-speed manners, a firm ride on larger wheels and modest standard equipment. It is well regarded but rarely the class pick over the X1, Q3 or XC40, and has no 10Best, Top Pick or NACTOY honours.