2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

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Rating7.4

Ranked #13 in 

Compact SUV
Write Review
$38,050 - $40,050
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on January 31, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Spacious cabin

Unimpressive handling

Standard blind-spot monitoring feature

Powerful engine

Options are costly

Remains mostly unchanged for 2021

Impressive ride quality and comfort

High-tech interior design

Specs & Features

$38,050

price

221 hp @ 5500 rpm

horsepower

258 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

torque

8-Speed Automated Manual

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 8AM

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2021 Mercedes Benz GLB Class is a proud member of the compact SUV segment, locking horns with cars like the BMW X2, Audi Q3, and Volvo XC40. Spread across two trims, the GLB Class starts off at a base price of MSRP $39,100 and carries on to $41,100. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 8-speed automatic transmission give the SUV 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. With that, it manages a 0-60 of 6.0 seconds and boasts a towing capacity of 5,500 pounds. Moving to fuel economy, the GLB Class manages to get a combined EPA rating of 26 MPG, which is just average for the class, with most of its rivals reaching similar numbers. It also has a ground clearance of 7.9 inches. 

Buying Advice

The 2021 Mercedes Benz GLB Class is the most expensive compact luxury SUV among other premium options in the segment. Tt is the fastest, most luxurious, spacious, and comfortable compact SUV you can buy among all the competitors. The BMW X2 is sportier to drive and offers three full years of complimentary scheduled maintenance which the Merc doesn’t provide. However, the BMW has a stiff suspension setup and it could never match the wide quality and comfort of the GLB. Overall, we think it is worth spending a little extra money on the GLB Class for the better travel experience it offers. 

Trims

    GLB 250
    $38,050 onwards
    • Automatic temperature control
    • Emergency communication system
    • Exterior parking camera rear
    • Front dual zone A/C
    • Premium audio system
    • Rain sensing wipers

Compare to similar cars

Price

$38,050- $40,050

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.36

Horsepower

221 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

258 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

Capacity

7

Read Review

$46,100- $83,000

Gasoline

7.23

296 hp @ 4000 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

6

Read Review

$43,300- $56,500

Gasoline

8.15

261 hp

273 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

$43,000- $56,600

Gasoline

8.14

248 hp @ 5200 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$38,400- $51,000

Gasoline

7.2

272 hp @ 6500 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,245- $39,095

Gasoline

6.93

184 hp @ 4360 rpm

221 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

7

Read Review

$52,100- $84,600

Gasoline

7.57

248 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,700- $55,000

Gasoline

7.72

250 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$36,105- $50,390

Gasoline

7.35

250 hp @ 5500 rpm

280 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$37,610- $45,460

Gasoline

7.02

235 hp @ 4800 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

5

Read Review

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.9 sec--
    2021 Audi Q5

    Ranked #1

    5.7 sec14.7 sec130 mph
    2021 BMW X4

    Ranked #2

    6 sec15.1 sec130 mph
    6.1 sec14.9 sec-
    2021 BMW X3

    Ranked #4

    6.2 sec14.9 sec126 mph
    6.3 sec14.8 sec140 mph

    2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      23 mpg31 mpg26 mpg15.9 gal.365.7/492.9 mi.
      2021 BMW X3

      Ranked #1

      23 mpg29 mpg27 mpg17.2 gal.430/498.8 mi.
      23 mpg29 mpg26 mpg16 gal.368/464 mi.
      2021 Audi Q5

      Ranked #3

      23 mpg28 mpg25 mpg18.5 gal.425.5/518 mi.
      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg17.4 gal.382.8/504.6 mi.
      23 mpg29 mpg25 mpg15.3 gal.365.7/461.1 mi.

      2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        182.4 in.72.2 in.65.3 in.7.9 in.111.4 in.
        189.6 in.74.9 in.66.1 in.7.8 in.112.5 in.
        188.9 in.76.1 in.65.6 in.8.4 in.113.1 in.
        2021 BMW X4

        Ranked #3

        187.5 in.75.5 in.63.8 in.7.2 in.112.8 in.
        186.9 in.81.5 in.65.5 in.8.4 in.113.1 in.
        186.7 in.74.8 in.65.7 in.5.7 in.108.3 in.

        2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          22 cu.ft.102.5 cu.ft.62 cu.ft.
          18.5 cu.ft.116.1 cu.ft.56.5 cu.ft.
          31.5 cu.ft.177.4 cu.ft.148.9 cu.ft.
          19.4 cu.ft.-56.5 cu.ft.
          34.4 cu.ft.-66.8 cu.ft.
          12 cu.ft.123.9 cu.ft.65.7 cu.ft.

          2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            57.6 cu.ft.22 cu.ft.62 cu.ft.-
            63.3 cu.ft.29.7 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.79 ft.
            -32.7 cu.ft.55.6 cu.ft.-
            2021 Audi Q5

            Ranked #4

            40.1 cu.ft.25.8 cu.ft.54 cu.ft.-
            29.9 cu.ft.30 cu.ft.63 cu.ft.-
            66.8 cu.ft.34.4 cu.ft.66.8 cu.ft.-

            2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              5500 lbs.-3638 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1984 lbs.4550 lbs.
              5291 lbs.1540 lbs.4015 lbs.
              4409 lbs.1585 lbs.4035 lbs.
              4409 lbs.1435 lbs.4099 lbs.
              2021 BMW X3

              Ranked #5

              4400 lbs.1019 lbs.3931 lbs.

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              #2

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              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5500 rpm

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