2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB

The squarer, more practical, more rugged alternative to the GLA, the 2025 GLB is a great choice for young families, people with active hobbies, or those who just need a bit more room than smaller subcompact luxury SUVs provide.

After all, the GLB offers seven seats across three rows of seating (a five-seat, 2-row layout is standard). While it’s not the biggest third row, it useful in a pinch. The rest of the GLB’s cabin and driving experience are typically smart and high-end for a Mercedes-Benz, with a smooth ride, lots of standard and optional safety features, quality materials, and stylish design.

The all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQB is reviewed separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact luxury SUVs, including the GLB.

After last year’s visual refresh, powertrain enhancements and equipment updates, the 2025 GLB cruises into the new year with few changes. The only notable updates are that the Surround View 360-degree camera system is now an individual option and available through a package, and there’s a new Night Package Lite that includes 19-inch alloy wheels with black accents and other black-themed exterior appearance tweaks.

The $46,950 GLB’s closest competitors, the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, start a few thousand dollars below the Mercedes, around the $42,000 mark. The Genesis GV70 is priced similarly to the GLB and has similar second-row legroom and cargo space, but like the Q3 and X1, a third row is not offered. The Lexus UX has less cargo space and no third row but starts about $10,000 cheaper.

Before buying a GLB luxury subcompact SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what you should be paying. The GLB’s resale value is a bit above average for the class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

One of our favorite weekend runabouts, the Mercedes-Benz GLB, is just the right size for running errands without taking up too much parking space or being difficult to negotiate through traffic. The upright design and smart dimensions also make loading and unloading easy.

But the GLB isn’t just for weekend chores or daily driving. It’s also a great road-tripper, with a notably smooth highway ride for this subcompact luxury class. There is a bit of wind noise at higher speeds, however. The third row is tight, but the GLB can comfortably seat four adults for all-day or multi-day trips.

The 2024 model year saw updates to the GLB’s mild-hybrid system, which smoothed its stop/restart function and added an extra 13 horsepower. It’s a peppy powertrain and plenty quick for freeway merges and typical traffic.

Fuel Economy

The 2025 GLB gets good fuel economy for its class. The base front-wheel-drive model gets 28 mpg combined (25 city/33 highway) and only loses one mpg with 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), returning 27 mpg combined (24 city/33 highway). For reference, the 2025 Audi Q3 gets 23 mpg combined, the Genesis GV70 returns 24 mpg combined, and the BMW X1 achieves 28 mpg combined. The hybrid-only Lexus UX is rated at an impressive 43 mpg combined.

The GLB’s interior lives up to the Mercedes-Benz reputation for quality materials, attractive design, and functionality. Details like the turbine-style air vents add to the enjoyment of the comfortable seats, plush materials, and quality assembly.

Second-row legroom in the GLB is good at 38.1 inches — that’s almost three-quarters of an inch more than the midsize BMW X5, which is two size classes above the GLB. It’s also two inches more than the Audi Q3 and about an inch more legroom than the BMW X1 and Genesis GV70. The GLB also offers a third row, something none of its direct competitors can match.

The GLB’s cargo space is also good — thanks again to that boxy body — with 62 cubic feet behind the first row, 27 cubic feet behind the second row, and (if equipped) 5.1 cubic feet behind the third row. Models with seating for seven get slightly less maximum cargo space (56.7) due to the space occupied by the third row.

Our time with the GLB proved the optional third row useful, but mostly for smaller riders.

Last year’s updated LED headlights and taillights, refreshed front end, new wheels, and different colors carry forward unchanged, yet still fresh despite the GLB now entering its sixth year. The small footprint wears the relatively tall, square body well.

The new $800 Night Package Lite offers 19-inch wheels with black accents and dark-themed details. It’s a reduced-cost, somewhat less dramatic version of the more all-inclusive AMG Night Package, a $3,300 extravaganza of sport brakes, sport seats, special trim, specific details, a multifunction sport steering wheel, and more.

MBUX
A standard 10.25-inch touchscreen is the gateway to the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. It’s an easy-to-use, feature-packed system that can also obey natural speech commands. Wireless smartphone integration is standard.

Boxy shape
The squared-off sides and back of the GLB offer more cargo space and rear passenger headroom than more coupe-like designs. The extra space makes the GLB especially practical for its size.

Mercedes me
Having an always-on connection to your car makes sense. The Mercedes-Me app allows you to locate your GLB, lock or unlock the doors, or even send directions.

Augmented reality
This system (part of the optional Multimedia package) superimposes video and information on the touchscreen, giving a much clearer picture of where to go. This AR makes the navigation one of the easiest to follow.

Burmester audio
Immersive listening comes courtesy of a 12-speaker, 590-watt Burmester surround-sound system featuring Dolby Atmos technology.

Parking Assistance package
This package makes city life even easier by taking all the headache out of perpendicular or parallel parking. The system can automatically pull itself into or out of most parking spaces, leveraging a 360-degree camera system and sensors to negotiate obstacles.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is available with one engine and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

The standard engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder rated for 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard.

There’s also a high-performance AMG version reviewed separately.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The vehicle warranty on a GLB SUV lasts for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain is covered for the same period. This is typical among European luxury manufacturers.

Safety

No third-party agency in the United States has crash-tested the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB, but the structurally similar 2023 model received a maximum overall rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The GLB has lots of standard safety equipment, including brake assist, blind-spot assistance, active parking assistance, automatic high beams, and much more.