2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB250 4Matic Specifications

Let's do some free associating. When we say "compact," you say—well, honestly, this is kind of hard to do from inside a magazine. Not exactly what Freud had in mind. But if your answer is closer to "small sedan" than "three-row SUV," we're sorry to say that you lack the creativity needed to work at Mercedes-Benz.

No, when the visionaries in Stuttgart created their new transverse-engine platform for the puny A, CLA, and GLA models and saw that it was good, they stretched it into a seven-seat crossover just 0.9 inch shorter than the GLC.

Called the GLB, that crossover debuted in concept form last April wearing knobby off-road tires, more than its fair share of plastic cladding, and a roof-mounted light bar. Led on by Mercedes, the automotive community did some free associating of its own, dubbing the GLB a "baby G-class" and dreaming of post-soccer-practice rallies down dirt roads.

The reality, as usual, is something less than that. Confronted with the production-ready GLB, we noted a distinct lack of right angles and round headlights. What we found instead, over the course of a daylong drive through Arizona's Tonto National Forest, was a comfortable and well-engineered vehicle perfect for navigating the ever shifting needs of an affluent suburban household. Mercedes will launch the GLB250 first, though the AMG-tuned GLB35 is on the way. The 250 has the same 221-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that powers the CLA250. That engine pairs with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission in the GLB while the CLA has a seven-speed. All-wheel drive is a $2000 premium.

The GLB 4Matic we tested was bumped up from its $39,595 base price to $57,475 with the help of $1450 leather seats, a $1500 panoramic sunroof, and a $1650 Premium package, the key benefit of which is a pair of 10.3-inch display screens. Our test car did not have the optional third row, perhaps because Mercedes thought we would be disappointed by it. The quoted 29.1 inches of legroom and 34.8 inches of headroom in the third row put our comfort estimates somewhere between poor and abysmal. To its credit, Mercedes pitches the wayback as an occasional-use thing rather than a daily tool.Up front, the GLB feels spacious and luxurious, with wide, supportive seats comfortable enough for a full day of driving. Second-row riders can slide their chairs on six-inch tracks, making the back a perfectly acceptable option for adults.It wasn't pure bliss. With water bottles in the cupholders and a phone charging on the wireless pad, we were bereft of a spot to stow the key fob. And really, there should be a different wake word for the AI assistant other than "Mercedes," which is bound to be said often by people who have just spent 50 grand on one.

But those flaws are far from fatal.The GLB's 221 horsepower is good for a 6.0-second run to 60 mph, but throttle response in Comfort mode is exceedingly sluggish. Toggling into Sport ameliorated that problem but presented another: In that mode, the eight-speed dual-clutch holds gears comically long, even trundling along in seventh gear at highway speeds eons after acceleration was last demanded. Savvy owners (read: Car and Driver subscribers) will know to customize the Individual driving mode to provide a mix of Comfort and Sport settings.On the bright side, the chassis is just as confident in this application as it is in the A- and CLA-class. Even at 3869 pounds and with its elevated center of gravity, the GLB navigated canyon roads with grace during our drive. At the test track, it gripped the skidpad at a respectable 0.89 g.

Despite the fact that our route took us to the off-roading haven of Sedona—where four-wheelers and UTVs can be found on public roads—and perhaps as further proof that our cries for a mini G were ignored, Mercedes kept us on the pavement. Still, the 4Matic GLB comes standard with hill-start assist and hill-descent control and will show off-road-relevant details in the media display, for those who think luxury means the ability to go anywhere.

All-terrain warrior or not, the GLB does an admirable job of filling a hole we didn't know existed in Mercedes's crossover lineup. Its upright, boxy styling is a refreshing alternative to the coupe wannabes that make up much of the rest of the brand's SUV family, and the GLB's performance, driving character, and interior trimmings were up to the high expectations we have for Mercedes-Benz. Surely the aftermarket will work up some tack-on fender flares to give us the full baby-G-class experience.

Specifications

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB250 4Matic

VEHICLE TYPEfront-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED$57,475 (base price: $39,595)

ENGINE TYPEturbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement122 cu in, 1991 cc
Power221 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque258 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm

TRANSMISSION8-speed dual-clutch automatic

CHASSISSuspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 13.0-in vented, cross-drilled disc/12.6-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Alenza 001, 235/45R-20 96W MO

DIMENSIONSWheelbase: 111.4 in
Length: 182.4 in
Width: 72.2 in
Height: 65.3 in
Curb weight: 3869 lb
Passenger volume: 103 cu ft

C/D TEST RESULTSRollout, 1 ft: 0.4 sec
60 mph: 6.0 sec
100 mph: 17.1 sec
120 mph: 28.5 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.9 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.9 sec
¼-mile: 14.7 sec @ 94 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 131 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.89 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMYObserved: 20 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMYCombined/city/highway: 26/23/31 mpg