Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 – The variable space miracle

The Mercedes GLB 250 4matic in figures:

• Engine: 2.0 l turbocharged petrol engine (224 hp, 350 Nm)
• Drive: All-wheel drive
• Transmission: 8-speed dual clutch
• Performance: 0 to 100 km/h 6.9 s, top speed 236 km/h
• Measure: Weight 1,670 kg, trunk 570 to 1,805 liters
• Consumption: 8.9 l/100 km, 202 g CO2/km, Energy F
• Test car price: Fr.73,110
• Base price: from CHF 56,400
• Competitors: Audi Q3, BMW X1, DS 7 Crossback, Ford Kuga, Range Rover Evoque, Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq, Toyota RAV-4, VW Tiguan Allspace, Volvo XC60.
• As of August 31, 2020

Who likes the Mercedes GLB

Families – because SUVs are the new family carriages. However, none of them has offered as much space as their predecessors, the Vans. With the Mercedes GLB, this is now changing. The car, which is based on the B-Class, is a variable space miracle that even has a third row of seats on request.

Rear bench can be moved by 14 cm

C becomes GLC, A becomes GLA, E becomes GLE and now B becomes GLB. The SUV, which is somewhat reminiscent of the G-Class due to its angular shapes, is the latest ingredient in the Mercedes alphabet soup. With a length of 4.63 metres and a wheelbase of 2.83 metres, the GLB is even more spacious than the already generous B-Class and thus a real space miracle.

On request, it can even be equipped with a third row of seats, which can be folded out of the car floor in just a few simple steps. The variability is also top class. The rear seat bench can not only be adjusted in inclination, but also moved by 14 centimeters. Either the rear passengers enjoy princely legroom or the cargo space grows to a generous 1,805 liters. In the test car, the seating comfort for the backbenchers unfortunately left something to be desired, the seats are too hard and the lateral support is insufficient.

Widescreen digital cockpit and "Hey Mercedes"

Although the shape and format are new, the driver feels at home right away. Because in terms of ambience and equipment, there are hardly any differences to the other newer Mercedes models. The GLB also comes with the widescreen digital cockpit and the MBUX multimedia system with the clever "Hey Mercedes" voice control. And the driving assistants such as automatic distance control or active lane guidance are also included and are just as easy to operate as in the other models.

Sporty performance, economical consumption

The engine of the test car comes from the corporate shelf. The 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the GLB 250 delivers a powerful 224 hp and ensures sporty driving performance – 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, top speed 236 km/h. The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission also works perfectly, even under full load it changes gears smoothly and without hectic. And the consumption is also impressive – we even undercut the 8.9 litres per 100 km WLTP factory specification in the test with 8.5 litres.

The name obliges

The Mercedes GLB makes a grown-up impression on the road. The chassis is comfortably tuned, even coarser bumps on bad roads are kept away from the occupants. The stable straight-line stability at motorway speeds and the cornering dynamics are also impeccable. Thanks to 4Matic all-wheel drive, the test car has sufficient traction in every driving situation. Even an off-road trip would be possible with the GLB, after all, it not only looks similar to the off-road legend G-Class, but also bears the G in its name.

What we like less

The rear bench seat can be moved lengthwise, which provides a lot of practical variability, but the seats are hard and offer little lateral support.

What we particularly like

Design is a matter of taste, but thanks to its angular shapes, the Mercedes GLB stands out pleasantly from the softened miscellaneous and shows character.

 Source: Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 - The variable space miracle | AutoScout24 Magazine