2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB 220 d Progressive Road Tested

Mercedes-Benz GLB is certainly its own car, but in this frugal overseas diesel get up, efficiency is gold.
 

Diesel cars may not be too big in the Unites States. But cars like this make us sure that you really don’t know what you’re missing. We had the opportunity to revisit the Mercedes-Benz GLB2220d at on a recent trip up the coast and back, all the way down here in South Africa, where turbodiesels are king. All that did was bring the very best out of this fine SUV.
 
An interesting SUV proposition, GLB fits between the GLA and the GLC, second from the bottom of Benz’ well-stacked utility ladder. A major plus, as we previously discovered with the petrol 250, is that it’s quite different. It’s nothing like the GLA below and GLC above it on the range. But this particular car’s really strong point is its incredible fuel consumption.
 
Astounding GLB220d Fuel Consumption
So much so that we never needed to even think of refueling on the extended drive from the Cape, up the glorious Garden Route and back. How much did we have to refuel for the 600-mile drive there and back? Well, none. In fact, it still had almost 160 miles left on the range meter when we handed back the keys.
 
Its powerful, torquier, thriftier and cleaner-burning four-cylinder turbodiesel engine and its bang up to date driveline. This 188 HP 295 lb.-ft all-wheel drive GLB 220d is quick too. The turbo 2-litre turns Merc’s 8G-DCT automatic. They claim a quick 7.6 second 0-60 mph dash and 135 mph top speed. At a claimed 43 miles per gallon.
 

Boxy GLB220d is No Slouch Either
We got well under five to the hundred on the open road and a most impressive seven seconds to a hundred. And once again, remember that we never bothered about refueling what started as a full tank of diesel, throughout the trip from the Cape to Knysna and back, including all the running around while there. And we galivanted quite a bit. Pretty impressive, no?
 
Push it and GLB220d gets on with it in a compelling ride. But there’s still a bit more to this car too. It looks more the utility vehicle it is with that classic, squared-off G Class look. Rather than just another pumped up saloon. GLB also has a cavernous cabin. To set a spacious cat among those tight compact SUV pigeons. Merc says GLB redefines the versatile compact SUV market. We tend to agree…
 
GLB220d Proved the Perfect Travel Companion
Wide-opening doors reach down over their sills for easy, clean access. You soon notice its class leading front row headroom and especially comfortable legroom in the rear in this one’s five-seat get-up. The 40:20:40 split folding second row bench can be moved fore and aft to grow GLB’s handy 20 cubic foot trunk to 63 cubes deliver the versatility of a true estate car. The load cover shield can fold and stow in the handy and sizeable extra compartment under the height-adjustable trunk floor.
 
The GLB220d of course comes with Merc’s full state-of-the-art broad screen ‘My Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment. That offers powerful computing, brilliant screens and graphics, customizable presentation and full-color head-up display. Ours even had the optional augmented reality navigation with learning software and voice activated ‘Hey Mercedes’ prompting.
 

Looks Quite the Tonka Toy
Powerful proportions, unique LED headlights and short overhangs speak to a whole new Mercedes-Benz audience. It’s an off-road-focused G-wagon-inspired design with an upright nose, a rising waistline and muscular haunches. Stylized skid plates front and rear and protective cladding emphasize a robust character. It wraps itself around spacious and versatile family car cabin.
 
Driving assistance systems are drawn from the S-Class, with improved camera and radar that allow the GLB to see up to 500 yards ahead and drive in semi-automated mode in certain situations. All very cool kit!
 
All in all, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is a most interesting car that fills a needy void in Merc’s range. It’s certainly its own car, but in this frugal 200d incarnation, it basically runs on the smell of that rag too. Mercedes has hit the sweet spot again. Yes, it’s still a relatively small car, but you’d never say so once you are inside.
 
ROAD TESTED: Mercedes-Benz GLB220d Progressive
Engine: 188 HP 295 lb.-ft 2-litre turbodiesel I4
Drive: 8-speed dual-clutch Automatic AWD
 
TESTED:
0-40 mph: 3.08 sec
0-60 mph: 7.13 sec
0-100 mph: 18.09 sec
¼-mile: 14.8 sec 90 mph
50-75 mph: 5.45 sec
75-100 mph: 8.74 sec
 
CLAIMED:
VMax: 135 mph
Fuel: 42 mpg
Range: 800 miles