23May
The Mercedes-Benz GLB did not receive major changes for the 2023 model year but delivers a strong overall performance enhanced by exceptional ride quality and cutting-edge tech and convenience features. You could call it the go-between or middle child of the Mercedes-Benz family of luxury SUVs, and you wouldn't be wrong in your assessment of the GLB-Class.
The GLB sits pretty between the smaller GLA-Class and the larger GLB-Class and comes appropriately priced to reflect its middle-child position. Compared to its siblings, the GLB is boxier, allowing it to eke out extra cabin space while also taking up a bit more room at the parking lot. Those extra inches also left the GLB with a unique silhouette to stand out among its brothers.
Introduced in 2019 for the 2020 model year, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class began hitting dealerships in fall 2022, rocking specifications and performance that further cement its place as a successor to the GLA-Class. Besides its more spacious cabin, the GLB boasts more advanced technology and improved performance. Furthermore, the 2023 GLB-Class continues the German marque’s tradition of producing high-quality luxury and reliable vehicles. Let’s take a closer look at the features of the new GLB-Class, including how much it will set you back.
Related: Mercedes-Benz To Unleash The Company’s Refreshed Midsize Vans Portfolio This Summer
What’s So Special About The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class has several unique features that set it apart from other luxury compact SUVs on the market.
Before we dive all in, here are some of the key highlights:
Spacious Cabin: The GLB-Class’s boxy aesthetics and unique silhouette allows it to offer a spacious cabin that can accommodate up to seven passengers.
We don’t need reminding that this is a rare feature in the luxury compact SUV segment, and it sets the GLB-Class apart from its competitors.
Advanced Technology: The GLB-Class comes equipped with advanced technology features, including a large infotainment screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other features include a premium sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and a wireless charging pad for smartphones.
Boxier Design: At the risk of sounding like a broken radio, we still have to mention how the GLB-Class’s boxier design sets it apart from many other luxury compact SUVs, which gives it a unique look from competitors.
However, the boxy design is not all about cosmetic peculiarity. It also allows for more interior space, which is a major selling point for the GLB-Class.
Range of Driving Modes: The GLB-Class offers a range of driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual. This allows drivers to customize the vehicle's performance to their liking and makes it more versatile than some of its competitors.
High-Quality Materials: As with all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the GLB-Class got built with high-quality materials, such as leather upholstery, wood trim, and aluminum accents, giving the vehicle a luxurious feel that many of its competitors struggle to match or outmatch.
Overall, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is a unique and highly anticipated vehicle with a range of features that set it apart from other luxury compact SUVs on the market.
Its spacious cabin, advanced technology, boxier design, range of driving modes, and high-quality materials make it a standout option for buyers in the market for a reliable, high-quality vehicle. If you can afford it, make it a GLB-Merc.
Features Of The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Exterior Design
Ahem, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class wears a boxy design, similar to the 2022 model. However, the 2023 GLB-Class is slightly larger and more spacious, thanks to its longer wheelbase and higher roofline.
The front fascia features a large grille with the signature three-pointed star emblem flanked by LED headlights. The rear has LED taillights and a roof-mounted spoiler, significantly improving the SUV's sporty look.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Exterior Dimensions | |
| Overall length | 182.4 in |
| Overall height | 65.3 in |
| Overall width (w/mirrors) | 79.5 in |
| Overall width (w/o mirrors) | 72.2 in |
| Track width (front) | 63.2 in |
| Track width (rear) | 63.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 in |
| Coefficient of drag | 0.32 |
| Curb weight | 3,638 lbs |
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Interior Design
The interior of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is spacious and luxurious, with seating for up to seven passengers.
The cabin is well-appointed the Mercedes way, with premium materials such as leather upholstery, wood trim, and aluminum finish.
The dashboard rocks a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster display as standard features.
However, shoppers who upgrade to the Premium package get to enjoy dual 10.3-inch screens, complete with a color head-up display.
It goes without saying that the GLB’s infotainment system is the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which, frankly, is the best user-friendly system in the industry.
You’d never get used to the “Hey, Mercedes” keyword activation, plus voice control with natural language understanding.
Of course, it’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other features include a premium sound system, a panoramic sunroof, and a wireless charging pad for smartphones.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Interior Dimensions | |
| Passenger capacity | 5 (7 optional) |
| Headroom (1st row) | 40.7 in |
| Legroom (1st row) | 41.1 in |
| Shoulder room (1st row) | 55.9 in |
| Headroom (2nd row) | 39.3 in |
| Legroom (2nd row) | 38.1 in |
| Shoulder room (2nd row) | 54.9 in |
| Headroom (3rd row) | 34.8 in |
| Legroom (3rd row) | 29.1 in |
| Shoulder room (3rd row) | 43.8 in |
| Cargo capacity | 12.4-62.0 cu ft |
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Engine And Performance
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class gets its motivation from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 220 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 to 4,000 rpm. It can go from rest to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.
The automaker paired the engine with an 8G-DCT 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels. The all-wheel drivetrain is available as an option.
As stated earlier, the GLB-Class offers a range of driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual, allowing drivers to customize the vehicle's performance to their driving preferences.
Related: Meet The New 2023 Lexus RX350: Everything You Need To Know
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Safety Features
As with all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, safety is a top priority for the 2023 GLB-Class.
It comes standard with a long list of features such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, active brake assist, LED daytime running lamps, attention assist, Mercedes-Benz emergency call service, tire pressure monitoring system, anti-theft alarm system with remote panic feature, and many others.
Optional safety features include adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, evasive steering assist, adaptive high-beam assist, active speed limit assist, active parking assist, and many others.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Release Date and Pricing In Nigeria
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class began hitting dealerships in the fall of 2022, with prices starting at around $40,000 (₦18.460 million).
If you intend to buy the SUV in Nigeria, we recommend you prepare a war chest with at least ₦35 million inside.
We came about this recommendation by factoring in the black market exchange rate plus the cost of logistics and customs duties.
The same goes if you intend to import the GLB directly from countries like the United States unless you have access to the official exchange rates, in which case, less than ₦25 million should bring the 2023 GLB-Class to your garage.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Competitors
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class entered a highly competitive market, with several other luxury compact SUVs already established in the segment.
Some of the main competitors of the GLB-Class include the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Volvo XC40.
The BMW X1 offers a sporty driving experience and a well-designed interior, while the Audi Q3 offers a comfortable ride and a stylish exterior.
The Volvo XC40, on the other hand, offers a unique Scandinavian design and a range of advanced safety features.
Despite the competition, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class stands out with its spacious cabin, advanced technology, and luxurious features.
Final Word On The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is a relative newcomer to the luxury compact SUV segment, armed with a spacious cabin, advanced technology, and impressive performance.
With its boxy design, well-appointed interior, and range of safety features, the GLB-Class is a strong contender in the competitive luxury compact SUV market.
The 2023 model arrived in the fall of 2022 and costs around $40,000 to get started. The SUV’s price point makes it an attractive option for shoppers looking for a reliable, high-quality vehicle.
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