2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB

The 2025 GLB 250 (a carry-over of the 2024 facelift, first-gen X247) uses the 2.0L turbo I4 with 48V mild-hybrid assist, rated at 221 hp; the AMG GLB 35 tops the range at 302 hp.

The GLB 250's 2.0L turbo makes 258 lb-ft from 1,800 rpm, which is competitive for the subcompact luxury class.

Mercedes-quoted 0–60 time for the volume GLB 250 4MATIC is 6.9 s, which is mid-pack for the class; the AMG 35 is far quicker.

The mild-hybrid 2.0L turbo is quiet and smooth at a cruise, and the 48V starter-generator smooths stop-start, but reviewers find it coarse when worked hard, with some hesitation off the line.

The 8-speed dual-clutch shifts quickly at speed but is jerky and hesitant in low-speed stop-and-go driving, 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 a US tow rating.

4MATIC AWD is available 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 18° approach/departure angles. The optional Off-Road Engineering package adds a drive mode and downhill speed regulation, but there are no lockers and no off-road trim.

For 2025 the US GLB offers only two tunes of the same 2.0L turbo mild hybrid (GLB 250 at 221 hp, AMG GLB 35 at 302 hp). The electric version was sold separately as the EQB until the second generation merged the two.

The volume GLB 250 4MATIC is EPA-rated at 27 MPG combined; the FWD GLB 250 gets 28. It uses a 2.0L turbo mild hybrid with the 8-speed DCT.

This is the EPA city rating for the 4MATIC volume trim; AWD costs 1 MPG against FWD.

This is the EPA highway rating for the 4MATIC volume trim, the same as FWD.

Calculated from the EPA combined rating and the 15.9-gallon tank. The FWD version reaches about 445 miles.

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

Every GLB in the 2025 lineup requires premium unleaded and cannot use regular, which makes it more expensive to fuel than rivals that accept regular.

NHTSA has never published an overall or frontal rating for the X247 GLB, and the 2025 model is not in NHTSA's database at all; the latest entry (2024 GLB AWD) carries only partial side (5-star) and rollover (4-star) results, so the overall value is 0 = never rated.

IIHS has never crash-tested the first-generation GLB — its only published evaluation is a whiplash/head-restraint rating of Acceptable — so the 2025 model has no award and no US crashworthiness data; held at the top of the untested band because the shared MFA2 structure earned 5 stars from Euro NCAP and NHTSA's side test scored 5 stars.

Every GLB 250 gets Active Brake Assist (AEB with pedestrian detection), Blind Spot Assist with exit warning, Crosswind Assist, Attention Assist and automatic high beams, but adaptive cruise, steering-based lane keeping/centering and cross-traffic functions 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 cross-traffic alerts require the optional Driver Assistance / parking packages.

When optioned, Active Steering Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist give smooth, well-regarded centering, but a volume GLB 250 without the Driver Assistance Package has no steering-based lane keeping.

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 2025 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.

LED headlights and automatic high beams are standard and Multibeam LED adaptive headlamps are available, 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 3.9-in-longer wheelbase 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 2025 GLB 250 is a 5-seater. A two-place third row is an option, which makes the GLB the only 7-seat choice in the subcompact luxury class.

The tall, boxy X247 body gives generous front headroom for the class.

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

The upright roofline carried well rearward gives second-row headroom that beats most subcompact luxury rivals.

The 111.4-in wheelbase is 3.9 in longer than the GLA's, and with the sliding second row that gives roomy rear legroom for the class.

The third row is optional and suits small children only. Its 29.1 in of legroom is described as comical, and only about 5 cu ft of cargo space remains behind it. It is rare in the class, but it is a token seat for anyone but kids.

There is about 22 cu ft behind the second row of a 5-seat GLB, a usefully square hold. That is mid-pack for subcompact luxury SUVs but small against the broad SUV band.

Maximum cargo volume is 62.0 cu ft, among the largest in the subcompact luxury class thanks to the boxy rear.

A sliding, 40/20/40 split-folding second row and a square, flat-loading cargo hold make it versatile. Console and door storage is ordinary, and there are no standout storage features or household outlets.

The front seats are supportive, and KBB rates the GLB as able to carry four adults comfortably on multi-day trips. Multicontour front seats are not offered at this level, and the third row is cramped.

The highway ride is notably smooth for the class. Reviewers note firmness over sharp impacts on the larger optional wheels, and adaptive damping is optional rather than standard.

The cabin is quiet around town, but the upright, boxy body admits noticeable wind noise at highway speed, and the 2.0T sounds coarse when worked hard.

Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate, remote start and rear vents are standard on the GLB 250. Ventilated seats are optional or package-only.

The 2025 GLB 250 FWD lists at $45,800 plus $1,150 destination. That is about $2,800 above the GLA and in line with the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

The AWD GLB 250 4MATIC is the volume configuration at $48,950 delivered. Most dealer stock carries the Premium package, which adds keyless-go, blind-spot assist and similar items, putting a typical build near $51,000.

KBB projects nearly $12K in 5-year maintenance for the GLB 250 4MATIC, over twice its GLA sibling's figure and above the SUV band ceiling. Dealer-only A/B services and premium parts drive the total.

iSeeCars market data puts 5-year GLB depreciation at 45.6–48% (52–54% retained), better than its 53.7% luxury-compact category average. KBB's 2025 projection is much harsher (~37% retained), so I used the low end of the iSeeCars range, matching the method used for the GLA.

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 5-yr floor of the band.

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.

$51,000 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (52% retained, or about $26,520) leaves about $24,480 in depreciation. Add the projected $13,560 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $38,040 in total.

Consumer Reports expects the 2025 GLB to be less reliable than the average new car, based on similar Mercedes-Benz models rather than a GLB-specific survey. 2025 is the sixth and final year of the X247 generation, with no new hardware adding risk, but nothing points to above-average dependability either.

Mercedes-Benz sits in the lower third of Consumer Reports' brand reliability rankings year after year, and it trails the leading premium brands in J.D. Power's U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Lexus, Cadillac and Porsche led the 2025 premium field.

The 2025 model year carries two NHTSA campaigns. One is a small tire-sidewall recall (416 units). The other is broad: a corroding driver-door-lock micro-switch can stop Auto-Park/the electric parking brake from engaging, risking a rollaway. Earlier in the X247 generation the 2020–2021 GLB collected an unusually long list of launch-period recalls (about 22 campaigns, including eCall, rearview camera and steering). None were systemic powertrain problems, and later years have been much cleaner.

The volume GLB 250 4MATIC uses the M260 2.0L turbo four with the 8G-DCT dual-clutch, shared across the MFA2 platform (A-Class, CLA, GLA) since 2019. The 2024 refresh added a 48-volt mild-hybrid starter-generator in the US. The engine has no widespread failures on record, but the DCT draws complaints about low-speed behaviour, and the 48V system has only a short track record.

The cabin carries the Mercedes design signatures: the twin-screen MBUX display, turbine vents and the refreshed steering wheel. That clearly reads above mainstream compact SUVs. Reviewers note hard plastics in lower areas and less polish than the GLC, so it is competitive rather than class-leading among subcompact luxury rivals.

Reviewer test units are generally reported as tightly assembled, with few systemic rattle complaints. The GLB is built at the COMPAS plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, rather than at Rastatt with the GLA. 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-level amenities such as loaners. Its service satisfaction is respectable but trails Lexus and Cadillac.

Parts are readily available through dealers, but Mercedes OEM parts and labour rates are among the highest in the segment. The MBUX hardware and 48V electronics push many repairs to the dealer.

Since the MY2024 refresh every GLB has a 10.25-in MBUX center touchscreen next to a matching 10.25-in driver display. 2025 carries this over.

MBUX (seventh generation) is quick and graphically rich. The 2024 refresh removed the center touchpad, so control is split between the touchscreen and fiddly capacitive steering-wheel touch controls, and reviewers find some functions buried.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every 2025 GLB trim.

The 'Hey Mercedes' natural-language assistant is standard and capable. Embedded MB Navigation with Augmented Video comes in the Pinnacle package, so a volume GLB 250 relies on phone projection for maps.

The standard audio is adequate. The optional 12-speaker, 590-watt Burmester system with Dolby Atmos is a strong upgrade for the class.

A fully digital, configurable 10.25-in driver display is standard on every trim, in Mercedes' crisp widescreen layout.

MBUX on the MFA2-based GLB receives over-the-air infotainment, map and some feature updates. Whole-vehicle software updates belong to the MB.OS-based second generation, not this outgoing X247.

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

USB-C ports serve the front and rear rows, and wireless phone charging appears on most GLB 250s, standard or in common packages. There is no household outlet.

Proximity keyless entry, push-button start, remote start and a power liftgate are standard. The hands-free gesture liftgate depends on package, and there is no digital phone key.

A rear camera is standard. New for 2025, the Surround View 360-degree camera is a standalone option, and PARKTRONIC sensors with Active Parking Assist come in the Parking Assistance package.

A head-up display is offered only in the top Pinnacle Trim package, not as a standalone option on the volume GLB 250.

Tall, square rear doors, a sliding second row and 39.3/38.1 in of rear head and leg room make car seats easy for the class. The optional third row adds kid seating that no rival offers, though it is only for small children.

Active Brake Assist and Blind Spot Assist are standard, but neither NHTSA nor IIHS has published full crash ratings for the X247 GLB. Adaptive cruise and lane centering also cost extra in the Driver Assistance package.

Four adults ride comfortably, with good rear headroom, rear vents and a smooth highway ride. With the third row in use only about 5 cu ft of luggage space remains, so it is a 5-seat road-tripper in practice.

The peppy mild-hybrid 2.0T, high seating and good visibility make it easy to live with. The 8-speed dual-clutch is jerky and hesitant in stop-and-go traffic, a recurring MFA2 complaint.

It returns mid-20s MPG combined on premium fuel, and luxury-brand consumables add cost. That is typical of the class but not cheap per mile.

A 182.4-in footprint, an upright greenhouse with clear sightlines and a standard rear camera make it easy to place. The 38.4-ft turning circle is only average, and the 360 camera is optional.

A hitch-equipped 4MATIC is commonly rated to 3,500 lb, and the boxy 62 cu ft hold swallows bulky items. Even so, it is a luxury crossover with modest payload and no real work orientation.

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

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

KBB calls it a great road-tripper with a smooth highway ride and comfortable seats. Some wind noise and the optional rather than standard DISTRONIC/lane-centering suite keep it out of the top band.

4MATIC AWD, roughly 7.9 in of ground clearance, an optional Off-Road Engineering package and a 3,500-lb hitch rating handle gravel roads, bike racks 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 make it more flexible than most subcompact luxury rivals. Volume behind the second row is still modest.

It is secure and predictable, but the tall body leans more than the BMW X1 or GLA, and Cars.com lists 'lukewarm handling' as a drawback. 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 2025 stopping distance was retrieved, so this is held at a class-typical level.

The 48V starter-generator smooths stop/start and the 2.0T feels peppy, but the dual-clutch hesitates and lurches off the line and in stop-and-go traffic.

The engine is quiet at a cruise but sounds 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.

An upright, commanding seat, 40.7 in of front headroom and big glass give excellent sightlines and easy entry and exit. The touch-sensitive steering-wheel controls and short front legroom (41.1 in) cost a few points.

The GLB 250 is pleasant and peppy but practicality-first and forgettable to drive. Enthusiasts are pointed to the AMG GLB 35 or the BMW X1.

After the 2024 refresh the GLB 250 comes standard with dual 10.25-in MBUX screens, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, LED headlights, power heated front seats, AEB and active brake assist. Keyless-go, blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise, the panoramic roof, Burmester audio and the third row stay in packages, the usual German pattern shared with the X1 and Q3.

At $46,950–$48,950 delivered the GLB costs about $2,800 more than the GLA for the same 221-hp 2.0T. It earns that with a far roomier cabin and the class's only optional third row. Its power trails the X1 xDrive28i (241 hp), and a packaged car passes $51K, so it is fair value rather than a bargain.

The lineup is GLB 250 FWD, GLB 250 4MATIC and AMG GLB 35 4MATIC, spanning roughly $47K–$61K. An optional third-row bench makes it the only 7-seat choice in the class, and there are broad packages (Premium, Pinnacle, AMG Line, Night). There is no hybrid; the EQB is a separate nameplate.

The GLB is a steady mid-pack seller and a consistent volume contributor to Mercedes' entry SUV lineup. It is outsold by the BMW X1 and its own GLA sibling, and demand is softening in the final model year of the generation.

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.

Entry Mercedes SUVs regularly carry subsidised leases, loyalty/conquest cash and Mercedes-Benz Financial rate offers. With the second-generation GLB revealed in December 2025, leftover 2025 stock is being discounted further.

The X247 generation launched for MY2020 and got its mid-cycle refresh for MY2024. 2025 is a carry-over year and the generation's last. The X244 replacement was unveiled in December 2025, so a 2025 buyer gets an outgoing design on the aging MFA2 platform.

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 merely adequate power. It is well regarded but rarely the class pick over the X1, Q3 or XC40, and has no 10Best, Top Pick or NACTOY honours.