Mercedes-Benz has given its smallest seven-seat SUV an replace.
The GLB – which is constructed at the similar bones because the smaller, inexpensive A-Class and GLA – is sort of as large as a GLC at the outdoor, and packs a boxy frame to maximize internal territory. It’s a components few manufacturers have adopted in Australia.
Now not handiest is the GLB dwarfed through the alternative two seven-seat SUVs within the Mercedes-Benz field, the GLE and GLS, it’s smaller than mid-sized SUVs with seven-seat choices just like the Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander.
It’s additionally priced in a ordinary nook of the crowded SUV international. With a forming payment of $74,000 earlier than on-road prices, it sits between top-end automobiles from manufacturers like Volkswagen and Honda, and in form with five-seat SUVs such because the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC40.
Mercedes-Benz has not too long ago given this in-betweener an replace, with a sharper glance at the outdoor and up to date tech at the inside of.
How does it surrounding up these days?
How does the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Magnificence evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Magnificence towards in a similar way sized cars.
Mercedes-Benz
GLB
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Magnificence value?
Costs for the GLB rose through round $4000 with its contemporary replace, and feature been larger once more for the reason that automobile’s origination in December 2023. It does, on the other hand, now collect extra same old apparatus than earlier than.
| Type | Value earlier than on-roads |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 | $74,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4Matic | $84,700 |
| Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4Matic | $103,800 |
To peer how the Mercedes-Benz GLB shapes up towards the contest, take a look at our comparability tool.
What’s the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Magnificence like at the inside of?
Mercedes-Benz has achieved a accumulation with a slight right here.
Up entrance it’s same old access Mercedes-Benz, this means that a shiny dual-screen show dominates the dashboard above an array of flash-looking breeze vents. Even six years on from the debut of this design philosophy with the untouched A-Magnificence, it has such a lot showroom enchantment.
Our tester possibly went somewhat too a long way into the area of showroom sizzle, despite the fact that. The 3-pointed superstar is in every single place right here, from the door trims to the dashboard – and at evening, a few of them are backlit, like a branded pluck at the Rolls-Royce starlight setup.
It’s crowd pleasing, however to my seeing it’s additionally a little bit gauche. The manufacture feature, era, and total sense of luxurious in a Mercedes-Benz cabin will have to talk for themselves with no need to spray a sky stuffed with three-pointed stars at the sprint to remind you what you’re using.
The basics are forged, despite the fact that. The seats (trimmed right here in dim fake leather-based, suede, and with crimson sewing that’s not presented in Australia) deal a commanding view of the street forward, and there’s enough quantity of adjustment for odd-shaped drivers.
The steerage wheel feels magnificent for your palms, even though the contact sliders at the 4 thin spokes are needlessly fiddly at the advance. They’re a step backwards from what was once presented earlier than, and produce easy duties like converting the quantity tougher.
By means of now, we’re usual with the dual-screen MBUX infotainment gadget. It may be managed with steerage wheel controls, the touchscreen, or ‘Hey Mercedes’ resonance inputs – the touchpad at the transmission tunnel is long gone.
Each displays are pin-sharp, with impressively fast responses and deep, vibrant colors. Within the day of smartphones with ultra-high-resolution displays and lightning refresh charges, they really feel like an extension of the tech we’re already the use of in one of the simplest ways imaginable.
Whenever you’re attuned to how the menus paintings it’s no longer dried to leap round, and the truth Apple CarPlay is now wi-fi and takes up the entire conceal is a step ahead.
For the entire high-tech flash, there’s a disappointing sense of cheapness to portions of this internal.
The plastic toggle switches under the vents aren’t aligned, as an example, presenting like tooth wanting braces, and the plastics at the door trims are a scale down under what you get in a GLC. A minimum of the panoramic sunroof makes for a brightness and ethereal feeling.
Even though it’s no longer supposed to be a flagship for Mercedes-Benz, it’s nonetheless no longer fairly as much as scratch.
There’s enough quantity of vault up entrance, from the immense underarm vault bin to the large door wallet. You additionally get 3 USB-C ports up entrance, two within the again, and two for third-row passengers.
Rear seat territory is without doubt one of the main calling playing cards of the GLB on paper, and it delivers in follow.
The boxy profile frees up an important quantity of headroom, and with the 40/20/40 folding bench slid to its rearmost place you’ll be capable of slot a full-sized grownup in the back of a full-sized driving force.
The majestic home windows and wide-opening doorways are each wins for somebody wearing petite children in kid seats, and the rear breeze vents are a need in any folk automobile that’s getting to continue to exist an Australian summer season.
ISOFIX issues detail at the outboard rear seats, and there’s a trio of zenith tethers for kid seats.
The 0.33 row is in reality usable through 5+2 SUV requirements.
Get right of entry to is unusually easy because of the 220mm of field at the sliding moment row when the backrests are folded (and the low sill), and again there there’s enough headroom for rising youngsters or familiar children.
Legroom? Neatly, with the second one row in its rearmost place it’s very restricted. However with it slid ahead, it’s imaginable to crash a compromise that’ll safeguard everybody has plethora territory to stick at ease at the faculty run. It’s a right kind 5+2.
At six-seven, I may get again there and wrinkle the second-row seatbacks into park. It’s no longer precisely a Kia Carnival, however it’s are compatible for goal.
There’s vault, USB-C ports, and curtain airbag protection again there, all of which can be welcome and building up the 0.33 row’s usability.
The immense, flat tailgate is energy operated, and may also be activated with a kick sensor underneath the rear bumper in case your palms are complete. Range in the back of the 0.33 row is restricted, however there’s plethora room for a couple of buying groceries luggage.
| Dimensions | Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 |
|---|---|
| Range | 4650mm |
| Width | 1845mm |
| Top | 1655mm |
| Wheelbase | 2829mm |
| Shipment capability | 110 litres (7-seat) 565 litres (5-seat) 1800 litres (2-seat) |
To peer how the Mercedes-Benz GLB shapes up towards the contest, take a look at our comparability tool.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The engine within the bottom GLB is shared with a field of Renault cars, in conjunction with entry-level variations of the A-Magnificence and GLA.
| Specs | Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.3L 4cyl turbo |
| Energy | 120kW |
| Torque | 270Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Pushed wheels | FWD |
| Weight | 1676kg |
| Gas economic system (claimed) | 7.5L/100km |
| Gas economic system (as examined) | 8.0L/100km |
| Gas tank capability | 52 litres |
| Gas requirement | 95 RON |
| CO2 emissions | 171g/km |
| Emissions same old | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capability | 1500kg |
To peer how the Mercedes-Benz GLB shapes up towards the contest, take a look at our comparability tool.
How does the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Magnificence force?
The bones beneath the GLB are featured in 3 alternative automobiles in Australia, so the best way this automobile drives is usual.
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Out of the country style proven
The steerage is brightness within the town, and it’s tuned for condolense. That suggests rush bumps and the pimply surfaces habitual in Australian towns don’t damage the temper in the back of the wheel, and you’ll be able to ground in tight areas with out immense biceps.
For a slight engine, the 1.3-litre unit within the bottom GLB packs a worthy punch when you’re up and rolling. However it may be awkward off the mark while you’re seeking to creep slowly in visitors, juddering on brightness inputs earlier than sharply enticing and surging ahead.
Mercedes-Benz has achieved a excellent process smoothing out the powertrain’s rougher edges. It’s much less awkward right here than in its alternative packages, and with a little bit of generation you’ll be able to force round its quirks – however there’s refuse escaping the yawning relax while you flick from force to opposite, or the occasional stunted get started.
You’ll understand the engine must kick ailing up hills with just one particular person on board, and occasionally must let go one, two gears with a heavier load to accumulation its accelerate.
It’s no longer too boisterous within the cabin, with a quite delicate bark, however you’re conscious the engine is operating dried now and then which doesn’t really feel in particular Mercedes-Benz.
How it delivers its torque method all-wheel force could be welcome as smartly; the transmission kicks in sharply while you aim to boost up briefly clear of the lighting, which within the rainy can let go the entrance wheels spinning.
With brightness steerage and upright pillars, this is a simple automobile to park on the town.
As seven-seaters walk it’s a very simple one to force in tight areas, or to ground in slim underground spots at your native grocery store.
At upper speeds, the GLB is a at ease cruiser. Even though it’s running to get to the felony prohibit now and then, when you’re there the engine settles ailing and the obese tyres produce for a peace, delicate force.
In comparison to the A-Magnificence and GLA, either one of which is able to get a little bit shouty on coarse chip nation highways, the GLB is quieter and extra delicate. It’s nonetheless no longer going to offer a GLC any sleepless nights, however it’s higher than its platform pals.
Mercedes-Benz has lengthy been a pioneer within the lively driving force backup territory, and the GLB possesses a collection of sleek gear to pluck the weight off on lengthy trips.
The adaptive cruise keep an eye on with a bit of luck maintains an opening to the automobile in entrance, and the lively lane centring gadget holds the automobile between the white strains with out ripping the wheel from your palms.
Options akin to the automated lane exchange, which handles steerage and exams your fickle spot while you flick the indicator, lift the GLB over some opponents.
Mercedes-Benz additionally does one of the vital best possible cameras within the trade, this means that there’s refuse mercy for dinged wheels or bumpers.
What do you get?
On take a look at is the entry-level GLB 200.
Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 and GLB 250 4Matic highlights:
- 19-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels
- Run-flat tyres
- Panoramic sunroof
- AMG Order external
- Privateness glass
- Palms-free energy tailgate
- LED headlights
- Adaptive high-beam
- Electrical folding facet mirrors
- Adjustable damping
- 10.25-inch virtual software mass
- 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment gadget
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- DAB radio
- USB-C port
- Tri-zone shape keep an eye on
- Ambient internal lights
- Nappa leather-wrapped steerage wheel
- Artico/Microcut upholstery
- Proximity access and push-button get started
- Sizzling entrance seats
- Electrical entrance seats with reminiscence
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Magnificence barricade?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB gained a five-star ANCAP protection ranking in 2020 in response to trying out carried out through Euro NCAP in 2019. This ranking handiest applies to the GLB 200 and GLB 250 4Matic.
| Division | Mercedes-Benz GLB |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant coverage | 92 in line with cent |
| Kid occupant coverage | 88 in line with cent |
| Prone street person coverage | 78 in line with cent |
| Protection help | 76 in line with cent |
Usual protection apparatus contains:
- 9 airbags
- Self sufficient catastrophe braking
- Fickle-spot help
- Move threat
- Lane accumulation help
- Adaptive cruise keep an eye on
- Visitors signal reputation
- Motive force consideration tracking
- Crisis SOS calling gadget
- Semi-autonomous parking help
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Encompass-view digicam
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Magnificence value to run?
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is roofed through a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guaranty. As is the case around the Mercedes-Benz lineup, it’s a dear automobile to carrier.
| Working prices | Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 |
|---|---|
| Guaranty | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside backup | 5 years |
| Provider periods | three hundred and sixty five days or 25,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| General capped-price carrier value | $5200 (5 12 months carrier bundle) |
CarExpert’s Take on the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
The GLB remains a unique, capable option in Australia.
Mercedes-Benz has achieved an finest process taking advantage of a quite petite bundle, with an impressively versatile cabin and delicate manners at the street while you imagine it’s a folk SUV working a slight engine.
That’s the place the sparkle begins to come back off the GLB 200. The bottom engine has simply plethora punch, however load it up with seven folk (or 5 and their issues) and it begins to really feel a little bit strained… which isn’t very Mercedes-Benz.
The similar may also be stated of the gauche scale down and inexpensive internal finishes, which really feel out of park in a $75,000 automobile.
With its extra robust 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and all-wheel force, the GLB 250 sitting above the 200 within the field doesn’t clear up the inner scale down problems, however it does a minimum of get you a powertrain with extra headroom in the event you’re making plans to spend a variety of generation at the noticeable street.
Because it stands, the GLB 200 is a good suggestion performed smartly – however no longer in addition to it differently can have been.
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MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB
