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GLB ranked among the worst in terms of owner satisfaction
Quote:Consumer Reports looked at the top (or rather bottom) 10 vehicles with the worst owner satisfaction ratings for 2023. With various vehicle builds and classes making the list, more than one luxury SUV model was featured. However, the worst among them in terms of owner satisfaction is the Mercedes-Benz GLB compact SUV.
Only 39% of current owners reported that they would repurchase the GLB, making it the second least-satisfying model of the bunch. So, what makes the GLB luxury SUV such a contentious buy? Despite being reasonably affordable for a luxury SUV with a price point starting at around $40,000, many find the GLB to lack value in its lower trim levels, such as Car and Driver. The model lacks a lot of desirable features from a luxury SUV. Additionally, while its smaller size makes it more affordable to many drivers, it also can make the model cramped and uncomfortable for passengers.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB falls below most other SUVs in the luxury class spectrum. In the list of the 10 least-satisfying cars, it surpasses only the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s score of 38%. In its area of luxury SUVs, the Infiniti QX 50 scored slightly higher than the GLB, coming in with a score of 40%.
While the GLB offers a respectable 0-60 mph acceleration rate in the Sport driving model’s manual setting, the system overrides the manual feature and shifts for you if you wait too long to change gears. However, drivers can easily merge onto the interstate without any turbo lag. Drivers also benefit from the Mercedes’ firm braking field, and its independent suspension system adapts to road imperfections, providing a smooth ride with tight handling.
Overall, the Mercedes GLB model successfully insulates the interior cabin from exterior noise. That said, the outer whir of activity competes for passenger attention at higher speeds. The GLB provides greater rear visibility thanks to its squared-off shape, and its rain-sensing windshield wipers are a standard feature. Other standard features include LED headlights and running lights that automatically illuminate when natural lighting requires.
As mentioned, passenger space contributes to the GLB’s low ratings in the comfort and value ranges. Although reviewers appreciate its generous cargo space, they report a cramped passenger seating area while noting that additional seating for seven passengers is available as an upgrade.
Quote:Consumer Reports looked at the top (or rather bottom) 10 vehicles with the worst owner satisfaction ratings for 2023. With various vehicle builds and classes making the list, more than one luxury SUV model was featured. However, the worst among them in terms of owner satisfaction is the Mercedes-Benz GLB compact SUV.
Only 39% of current owners reported that they would repurchase the GLB, making it the second least-satisfying model of the bunch. So, what makes the GLB luxury SUV such a contentious buy? Despite being reasonably affordable for a luxury SUV with a price point starting at around $40,000, many find the GLB to lack value in its lower trim levels, such as Car and Driver. The model lacks a lot of desirable features from a luxury SUV. Additionally, while its smaller size makes it more affordable to many drivers, it also can make the model cramped and uncomfortable for passengers.
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB falls below most other SUVs in the luxury class spectrum. In the list of the 10 least-satisfying cars, it surpasses only the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s score of 38%. In its area of luxury SUVs, the Infiniti QX 50 scored slightly higher than the GLB, coming in with a score of 40%.
While the GLB offers a respectable 0-60 mph acceleration rate in the Sport driving model’s manual setting, the system overrides the manual feature and shifts for you if you wait too long to change gears. However, drivers can easily merge onto the interstate without any turbo lag. Drivers also benefit from the Mercedes’ firm braking field, and its independent suspension system adapts to road imperfections, providing a smooth ride with tight handling.
Overall, the Mercedes GLB model successfully insulates the interior cabin from exterior noise. That said, the outer whir of activity competes for passenger attention at higher speeds. The GLB provides greater rear visibility thanks to its squared-off shape, and its rain-sensing windshield wipers are a standard feature. Other standard features include LED headlights and running lights that automatically illuminate when natural lighting requires.
As mentioned, passenger space contributes to the GLB’s low ratings in the comfort and value ranges. Although reviewers appreciate its generous cargo space, they report a cramped passenger seating area while noting that additional seating for seven passengers is available as an upgrade.
I cannot understand the issue of interior room. It has much greater space than my 2014 GLK350. The second row seat area is very large. The cargo room is great.
Actually GLB is beating the GLC, X3, Q5 in legroom space... The review doesn't make sense, esp GLB is a compact SUV with max interior space, not competing with X5/X7/GLE/GLS.... That is the reason I got the GLB. Even new model GLC vs X3 comparison at Autogefühl YouTube channel, GLB was mentioned as spacier option...
Originally Posted by tbirdvet
I cannot understand the issue of interior room. It has much greater space than my 2014 GLK350. The second row seat area is very large. The cargo room is great.
Actually GLB is beating the GLC, X3, Q5 in legroom space... The review doesn't make sense, esp GLB is a compact SUV with max interior space, not competing with X5/X7/GLE/GLS.... That is the reason I got the GLB. Even new model GLC vs X3 comparison at Autogefühl YouTube channel, GLB was mentioned as spacier option...
Exactly. I believe 1/10 of what CR reports on anything. They have always been biased toward Toyota.
Although, the GLB lacks some features that should be standard for this type of vehicle. One trim level and then pile on options and packages.
Yea if anything, the GLB is huge in the back. Has to do with the front wheeled biased drivetrain, and the engine is horizontally mounted, so the engine can sit more up front giving more space in the rear. My GLK was almost cramped, the GLB is so spacious in the back.
All in all, the GLB isn't super special...it's very very entry luxury. I have a rear camera but no front or rear parking sensors...like those should be standard, with the 3D cameras being an upgrade.
The main point of the article is that only 39% of the surveyed people stated they would likely get another GLB. That in itself does not proof anything regarding how good or bad the car is. The lowest rated models were GLB, infinity qx50 and gla, which are essentially cousins and are in similar price range $40K-$50K. I think Covid and it's effect on supply chain for non German car brands turned people to entry level German brands. I am certainly one of those people. I like GLB and it's driving dynamic and size, however I did not start my car shopping experience by looking for GLB. I been owning Toyotas and Hondas for decades, however after visiting empty show rooms with 0 cars on the lot, I turned to alternatives. There are definitely a lot of differences between Japanese and German brands. However after doing some research, it was clear that relayability and maintenance costs are not the same between these brands. However I made the purchase knowing that, and my expectations were adjusted to those facts.
Perhaps people in the article survey had different expectations?
Last edited by Vladimir Livson; Apr 4, 2023 at 10:11 PM.
I tend to put vehicle popular opinion articles in the same category as the “happiest country in the world” articles — basically worthless. Mercedes is a luxury brand because that’s the market segment they have targeted in the US and Europe. But they sell the lower end models all over the world. Their cars increase in price and luxury as they go up the alphabet A, B, C, E, S. The GLB is a B and pretty far down that list. I’ve owned C and E level vehicles. It is too much to expect even a C level of appointments in the GLB. But the GLB provides many of the things that you get in all Mercedes but at a lower trim level. It has MBUX which is regarded as one of the best user interfaces. It has most of the safety features. It has the antitheft features. We replaced a GLK, which was a C level SUV, with the GLB. The GLC which replaced the GLK was not as utilitarian and the GLB was just a better fit. I know about 5 people who bought a GLB and none of them had ever owned a Mercedes before. It must have hit some kind of note with them.
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