Pros Smooth ride quality Plenty of standard tech and safety features for the money Roomy interior and comfortable front seats Long warranty
Cons Sluggish acceleration from the regular 2.5-liter engine Touch-style center stack controls can be distracting to use Hybrid can't match rivals on fuel economy
Pros Stellar interior quality Plenty of room for people and cargo Composed ride and handling Punchy powertrain
Cons So-so mpg ratings for a hybrid SUV Buttons instead of knobs for radio volume and tuning
Pros Standout styling 37 mpg without even trying Luxurious interior Excellent infotainment tech
Cons Touchy touch controls No wireless CarPlay with larger multimedia screen
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class hides station-wagon virtues behind its charming SUV-like body.
Pros Handsome cockpit Chunky body Sliding second-row seat Lots of technology Right-sized
Cons Tight third-row seat Some features force you to buy other features Infotainment needs a primer Priced at a premium
Blind spot monitoring is now standard, but otherwise the GLB is unchanged for 2021. Mercedes is launching a high-performance, AMG-branded GLB35 model (reviewed separately) this year.
Pros Compelling base price, cool infotainment setup, roomy for first and second-row passengers.
Cons Not much in the way of standard equipment, sluggish throttle response, tight passenger space in optional third row.
For 2021 A blind-spot monitor and household power outlet now standard on GLB 250.
Pros Spacious for both passengers and cargo Strong overall performance Exceptional ride and seat comfort Lots of the latest tech and convenience features
Cons GLB 250 isn't particularly exciting to drive Options can quickly run the cost up
