The Mercedes GLB is the second smallest SUV in the Mercedes lineup, and it is essentially a smaller GLS. It is a boxy little SUV that actually is very practical with seven seats and decent interior space. There is an AMG version that has just been recently launched, called the GLB35.
It’s got the same engine as the A35 AMG sedan, and it pushes out 302hp and 295 lb-ft of torque which leads the car on to do a 0-60 of just 5.2 seconds. Not bad for an SUV. It’s the first of the AMG-35 lineup to feature an 8-speed automatic gearbox rather than a 7-speed automatic. It’s also the first from the AMG-35 lineup to feature a Panamericana grille instead of a standard two-slat grille.
Exterior-wise, this car is very subtle. It just looks like any other normal SUV rather than anything special. It does get sporty 20inch alloy wheels in black, and you can choose between multispoke alloys or 5 spoke alloys. Furthermore, you do get gloss-black accents, a slightly different rear-end with a sporty-looking diffuser style bumper trim, and a little roof spoiler.
Inside, you get a pretty decent interior. It’s from the A-Class sedan, but things are so much chunkier. You get two 10.25 inch displays that are very clear. The interior is a very nice place to be in, and by far the best interior of any of the smaller SUVs. You also do get carbon fiber trim too which makes everything look so much more exotic and expensive. It actually looks and feels like the interior of the G-Class just on a much smaller scale.
It’s a great car then, on the face of things. But should you buy one? After all, it is an almost $50,000 car. Well, let’s find out.
Picture via: motorauthority.com
A Decent Size.
The GLB sits in-between the GLA and the GLC however, unlike those two cars the GLB is a seven-seater. This is due to the fact that the GLB utilizes a very clever seating and interior arrangement that maximizes space. This includes a high roofline for better headroom and up-right seats. In the back, you do get very good legroom since the two front seats have very large cut-outs at the rear.
The third row is cramped, but that is expected for a car of this size. Plus with the third row up, you only get 130 liters of boot space which is laughable. Fold them down though, and you do get a respectable 500 liters, which is quite large. The third row is very occasional, so do not think that the GLB is a big family-friendly car at all. However, the GLB can easily accommodate a family of four or five.
The headroom and legroom in this car are very impressive. It is a proper boxy SUV, that prioritizes practicality. The GLB wasn’t designed to be fashionable or “trendy” as such at all, which is why it is such a great SUV. In some ways, it reminds some of the Suzuki Jimny or the original Toyota Land Cruiser. I just love the boxy shape of it and it solves so many issues other SUVs have.
Take the GLA for example. That’s a big car yet inside, it’s just as spacious as the smaller A-Class. What’s the point of wasting more money on it than only to get less space, worse mpg, etc. At least with the GLB, you get more space than a B-Class plus it looks a hell of a lot better.
It’s Pretty Good To Drive.
An AMG-badged car has to be good to drive. The GLB35 is a very good car to drive and that is surprising since it is a high-riding tall SUV. The firmer suspension means that the car doesn’t roll around much in corners, and the 4-Matic all-wheel-drive system ensures that loss of traction is never an issue.
The power delivery is smooth and linear and very predictable. There are no sudden power surges within the delivery and the exhaust note is pretty good. Of course, you do get an artificial exhaust sound in the interior which is annoying but I guess it’s not too bad.
The steering is quite light and easy which means that it is very easy to drive fast. However, due to the stiff chassis, you do feel a bit of flex in the body of the car. This means you will feel vibrations when going over bumpy roads, and none of that is helped by the larger alloys which do make some noise.
It does have launch control which hits 60 in 5.3 seconds, which for a large car is decent. Mid-range though is where this car shines, which makes it great for over-taking. It also only weighs just 1770kg which is great for a seven-seater SUV.
This is a very surprising car and it will leave you with a smile on your face. It’s not the sportiest of cars neither is it the quickest but it is one of the most unique. A seven-seater SUV that does the same 0-60 times as a 4-cylinder Jaguar F-Type sports car. This is a serious bit of kit, and in my opinion, it beats the BMW X2 M35i which is a key rival for this car.
On long journeys, it is very comfortable. Of course, you get wind noise, tire noise, etc and it does vary upon which road you are driving on.
To Conclude.
The Mercedes GLB35 AMG is a fantastic little SUV that will surprise you. Most people will overlook this car but don’t be one of those people. This a car that will surprise you since it’s very fast, very spacious and it looks great. The wheels are big and they look awesome, though they do make the ride slightly more uncomfortable and noisier.
The interior is very cool, and the layout is awesome. The two large screens coupled with the world-class MBUX Mercedes infotainment system make this car just so much easier to live with. The quality is very good and the carbon trim makes the interior feel so much more exotic. I would even go to say that the interior of this car beats the interior of many more expensive SUVs.
It seats seven (just) and the interior space is decent. It is probably one of the most practical small SUVs on sale today. It is a subtle looking car and it probably won’t turn heads, though it sure will put a smile on your face.