Execs: Enormous area and nice mpg for its phase; high-style inside; spunky AMG 35
Cons: Infotainment system is flashy however can overwhelm
In a world the place small SUVs can simply fall into impractical penalty field territory, the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is a breath of contemporary air. Not like a lot of its friends, it’s sufficiently big, versatile sufficient and premium sufficient to warrant the elevated value it instructions and make it a real luxurious providing, even whether it is among the many cheaper choices Mercedes gives.
What’s the GLB’s secret? Properly, as small SUVs go, it’s really fairly large inside. Credit score the sensible, boxy form and whip-smart packaging. They mix to ship a usable, comfy area with class-dominating cargo carrying capability. The fabric high quality and design of the inside are each above common for the phase, and whereas it might lack the credibility conveyed by the GLC’s extra subtle, RWD-based platform, the little GLB isn’t any slouch. The AMG-prepped GLB35 is mainly a sizzling hatch with higher visibility, all of the whereas working circles across the likes of the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Lexus UX and even the Mercedes-Benz GLA as a sensible every day driver. What’s to not like?
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gas Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
Mercedes put the GLB beneath the knife for somewhat nip-and-tuck for 2024. The basics stay the identical, however the engine will get a mild-hybrid enhance and the styling and inside each obtained consideration. The large inclusion on this spherical of updates is the newest model of Benz’s MBUX Infotainment system. Gone is the outdated 7-inch base show; the brand new normal, 10.25-inch setup packs improved efficiency and wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Some behind-the-scenes updates enhance the efficiency of the GLB’s energetic security programs and, for the primary time, a heated steering wheel could be optioned with AMG look packages.
What are the GLB inside and in-car expertise like?
Irrespective of the place you look within the GLB, its intelligent packaging impresses. It gives plenty of storage in each the passenger cabin and cargo space, making it extra sensible than most luxurious choices on this phase (and certainly many others). The GLB’s driving place is superb, and its front- and second-row seats are comfy and supportive with loads of adjustment.
The GLB is on the cheap facet for a Mercedes-Benz, however the high quality of supplies and out there choices are on par or higher for expectations at this value level. The fancier choices will drive up the worth, after all, however even the basic parts are high-quality and exact.
Each GLB consists of the final iteration of Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX infotainment suite, which is managed by a set of redundant enter selections: a brand new twin 10.25-inch show, a middle console touchpad, steering wheel controls and natural-language instructions. Whereas we like this “have it your approach method” and recognize this method’s speedy responses and fairly graphics, it simply is not all the time easy to make use of. Commonplace Wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are each nice to have, but it surely’s not attainable for the smartphone interface to take over the complete 10.25-inch display as some choose (others don’t, so we’d choose a alternative right here, too).
How large is the GLB?
The GLB’s wheelbase is nearer to that of many midsize choices, and its general size exceeds that of most opponents. You do not actually discover this behind the wheel – it nonetheless feels fairly small – and this further size mixed with the boxy design leads to the GLB being a cargo-hauling rockstar. On paper, Mercedes says the GLB gives 24 cubic ft with the second-row seats up, however in actuality, there’s really excess of that quantity would indicate. Its rear load flooring could be lowered to accommodate bigger gadgets, however even with the ground in its normal place, the GLB can swallow extra cargo than crossovers within the greater, pricier compact phase.
This further size interprets into tons of second-row area, the place passengers will discover sliding and reclining seats for further consolation (you aren’t getting these within the mechanically associated GLA). The mixture of fold-down seatbacks and sliding bases may also be exploited for extra cargo area if the roomy hatch alone won’t suffice, making the GLB a versatility rockstar, too.
The GLB additionally has out there third-row seating, which its smaller opponents and even these within the bigger compact class lack. We suppose this feature would not damage, however these non-obligatory rearmost seats simply aren’t that liveable, even for youths. We would skip them or get a non-luxury three-row car for a similar value.
What are the GLB 250 and AMG 35 gasoline economic system and efficiency specs?
The GLB 250 title signifies that the GLB in query has the bottom engine: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 13-horsepower enhance coming from its mild-hybrid help system. It has an eight-speed dual-clutch automated handbook transmission and normal front-wheel drive. On this configuration, the GLB 250 is rated at 25 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway and 28 mpg mixed. With the “4Matic” all-wheel-drive system, these numbers drop to 24 mpg metropolis, 32 mpg freeway and 27 mpg mixed.
The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 additionally has a 2.0-liter turbo, but it surely’s been labored over by Mercedes’ AMG tuning division to supply 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It’ll hit 60 in 5.4 seconds. The eight-speed DCT and normal all-wheel drive are additionally particular AMG variations. It achieves 21 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed.
There’s technically an electrical GLB out there, though it’s formally generally known as the Mercedes-Benz EQB. You may learn our EQB first drive assessment right here.
What is the GLB prefer to drive?
The GLB 250 is extra about luxurious and luxury than efficiency. Because of its lengthy wheelbase and supple suspension, it delivers in spades for this phase. The non-obligatory adaptive suspension will tighten up the dealing with on demand, however even with that choice that we’re guessing will not often present up on seller heaps, the GLB 250 by no means rises to the extent of “enjoyable to drive.” That is completely OK, although – it would not should be. As for what’s beneath the hood, the GLB 250’s normal four-cylinder gives loads of punch however does come off somewhat thrashy in comparison with what you will expertise in pricier Benz fashions. Certainly, general refinement is the place the GLB exhibits its lower cost tag. The journey, steering, throttle and transmission response, and driving expertise basically, are fairly merely much less subtle, but it surely’s a discount that is at the least commensurate with that price ticket and truly not as nice as what you will discover lacking within the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and others within the phase.
As for the AMG GLB 35, it’s legitimately enjoyable even when it doesn’t fairly attain the extent of “extra-tall sizzling hatch” because the smaller GLA 35 does. The bigger footprint and additional tallness lead to it being not almost as agile or darty. Nonetheless, just like the GLA and different AMG 35 fashions, the GLB 35 is simply “on” from the second you pop it into Drive. The snappy and fast eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission cracks off upshifts with a pop that accentuates and underlines each shift. Certainly, the extent of drama and added theater encourages a heavy proper foot. And due to its AMG-tuned chassis, you may nonetheless fortunately hustle this little crossover round a winding highway. With the Sport drive mode chosen, physique motions are properly managed with the stiffness and sharpness you’d count on from an AMG. Steering response is a bit numb, although, and its weighting isn’t as sharp as different AMG 35s.
What different Mercedes-Benz GLB opinions can I learn?
Mercedes-Benz GLA, GLB get delicate design updates and extra tech for 2024
AMG’s 35-badged fashions go beneath the knife as properly
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Highway Take a look at Evaluate
Take a better have a look at the 302-horsepower, AMG-tuned GLB that injects a spunky quantity of enjoyable into what’s in any other case a surprisingly wise small SUV.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 First Drive | The true deal
Our preliminary drive of the GLB options extra particulars about its design and engineering. It actually hasn’t modified a lot since then.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 Baggage Take a look at | It will possibly maintain all this!
Overlook the official numbers. The boxy and versatile GLB punches above its weight class. All of these items matches within the cargo space.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Inside Storage Driveway Take a look at
West Coast Editor James Riswick breaks out odds and ends to stuff inside Mercedes’ most utility-focused mannequin.
What’s the 2023 GLB-Class value?
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 begins at $45,600, together with the $1,150 vacation spot cost. That’s almost $5,000 greater than in 2023. The all-wheel-drive GLB 250 4Matic begins at $47,600. The AMG GLB 35 begins at $60,200, which is sort of $8,000 greater than it was in 2023.
The GLB gives way more customization than is typical at this value level. There are the standard packages, together with the $1,500 Unique Trim bundle that provides navigation to the usual 10.25-inch show, however many options, together with the non-obligatory third row of seating ($850) are stand-alone choices except you go for the all-in Pinnacle Trim ($5,150). This implies it may be tough to seek out precisely what you need in inventory at a seller lot, but it surely additionally signifies that when you’ve got some endurance, you may order precisely what you need and never pay for stuff you don’t.
One other key choice to think about is the AMG Night time Bundle that provides distinctive styling components (such because the black AMG wheels under) to the GLB.
What are the GLB security scores and driver help options?
The GLB 250’s normal driver help tools consists of ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and a driver inattention monitor. The Driver Help bundle provides a mountain of programs, most of that are higher executed than many comparable programs. These embrace lane-keeping help, automated evasive steering help for the blind-spot and ahead collision warning programs, automated emergency braking for the rear cross-traffic warning system, a better pace threshold for the ahead automated emergency braking system, automated pace discount primarily based on posted pace limits (you may flip this one off like most of those programs), Mercedes’ Pre-Secure pre-crash preparation programs, and Mercedes wonderful Distronic adaptive cruise management system with stop-and-go functionality and lane-centering steering help.
Ought to all of that also fail to stop a crash, the NHTSA gave the GLB 4 out of 5 stars for general frontal crash safety, and 5 stars for general facet crash safety. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security hasn’t examined it.
