Mercedes-Benz GLB Review

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is a relatively compact for a seven-seater compared to full-size offerings such as the Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz's own GLS.

Much of the hardware in the Mercedes-Benz GLB comes from the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class. That’s good news as they’re two of our favourite hatchbacks, with superb interiors and strong engine line-ups. 

The GLB has showroom appeal by the bucketload. It looks really cool, almost like a miniature G-Class (the firm’s old-school Land Rover Defender alternative). There’s a huge three-pointed star on the grille, while high-spec models look particularly classy with big wheels and chrome trim.

Its boxy design translates to a load of interior space, too. Adults will be extremely well looked after in the front, enjoying comfortable seats and a high seating position. There’s loads of head and legroom, too, and it feels like a much bigger SUV.

Things are equally good in the middle row. A pair of adults won’t have any cause for complaint with regards to headroom, and the bench slides backwards and forwards should you need more legroom.

Most Mercedes-Benz GLB models come with seven seats but, if you really need to carry seven people regularly, you’d be better looking for a people carrier (however dull that sounds). The back seats pop up from the boot floor, meaning there’s basically no boot space with them in use. As a five-seater, the GLB’s a very practical SUV.

The engine range is made up of the usual petrol and diesel choices, all paired with a seven- or eight-speed automatic gearbox. We think the diesels suit the GLB well, with the 200d being our engine of choice. The more powerful 220d is tempting but wasn’t originally available with seven seats - it is now.

Annoyingly, the petrol Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 is let down by its tardy transmission, using the seven- rather than eight-speed ’box. For that reason it’s best avoided. The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, however, is a lot of fun - with enough pace to challenge the BMW's sporty X2 M35i SUV, and a great soundtrack to boot.

AMG model aside, the GLB refreshingly focuses on comfort rather than being fun to drive. That means it rides very well and feels composed in the corners, although there is a little more lean than you’d get in the A- or B-Class.

Ultimately, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is a very appealing family SUV. It’ll be practical enough for a lot of buyers and it feels extremely premium inside. The biggest issue is the price - the most desirable models cost more than £40,000 when new, so you will be lumbered with heftier road tax bill for th first five years of ownership.

All Mercedes-Benz GLB models come with seven seats as standard and even the entry level Sport Executive model comes well equipped with 18-inch alloys, a digital instrument display and keyless go as well as Mercedes' Artico artificial leather seats. While this offers all most people will need, the sportier looking Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line is £3500 more, but it's still the one we'd choose. The extra equipment such as rear privacy glass and a 180 degree reversing camera make it worth it. 

The engine line-up is small but we'd go for the Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 petrol unless you're covering big miles, in which case the GLB 200 d is best for economy.

The combustion-engined Mercedes-Benz GLB starts at £40,590 for the GLB 200 Sport Executive.

AMG Line Executive adds more distinctive styling and equipment, while Premium and Premium Plus versions move closer to £50,000.

The GLB 220 d 4Matic AMG Line Executive costs £48,510. Premium Plus specification increases the price to £54,795.

That is a substantial amount for a compact SUV, even one carrying a Mercedes badge and offering seven seats.

A Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq or Volkswagen Tayron provides more space for similar or less money, although none has quite the same premium interior presentation.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is unique in that it has seven seats - you usually have to go for a bigger SUV for this. Competitors come in the form of five-seat premium SUVs like the BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3 as well as more mainstream alternatives like the seven-seat Peugeot 5008 and Volkswagen Tayron. 

Although the Mercedes-Benz GLB is packed with tech, you won't be overwhelmed when you climb aboard. With the touchscreen system and steering-wheel controls handling almost all the functions you need, it's a pleasingly uncluttered view from the driver's seat.

The seats are very good in the first and second rows, offering good support and a fair amount of adjustment. Those in the third row aren't as good - kids won't mind but you may find adults of a certain carriage begin to complain on longer journeys.

All models now come with seven seats, but the third row really is for occasional use only. Adults will raise eyebrows at the idea of clambering into the back seats. Kids will love it. If you do use the rearmost seats, there’s practically no boot. They’re easily dropped, though, and when used as a five-seater the Mercedes-Benz GLB is a practical crossover with 570-litres of luggage space, though the 200 petrol model's boot is marginally smaller at 565-litres.

The GLB measures 4,634mm long, 1,834mm wide and approximately 1,658mm high.

That makes it only marginally longer than several five-seat family SUVs, despite offering an extra row of seats.

Its relatively narrow body is helpful on urban roads and in multi-storey car parks. The width still increases beyond two metres with the mirrors extended, so tighter spaces require care.

One of the highlights of the Mercedes-Benz GLB is Mercedes-Benz’s excellent MBUX infotainment system, comprising two digital displays, each 10.25-inches in size now, though some earlier models made do with a 7.0-inch infotainment screen. It's a clear system to use with sharp graphics and lightning-quick responses. 

You can control it via touchscreen (it’ll take pinch and swipe gestures like a smartphone), or using the touchpad between the seats. We particularly like the augmented reality navigation, which will display graphics over an image of the road ahead to make it clear which direction you need to go in.

Not that its outside isn't appealing, but you can really sense where the extra money went when you climb aboard the Mercedes-Benz GLB. The driver gets the best deal of course, but all your passengers will also enjoy the modern and classy interior.

There's very little evidence of penny-pinching in here and it all feels very well built too. If you've ever been fortunate to experience the luxury of an S-Class interior you can see how the GLB comes from the same family.

The combustion-engined range includes petrol and diesel options, with front-wheel drive on most lower-powered versions and 4Matic four-wheel drive on the GLB 220 d.

The GLB 200 is suitable for lower-mileage drivers and regular urban use. Its petrol engine is quiet when driven gently and provides enough performance around town. It needs to work harder when overtaking or carrying a full complement of passengers.

Earlier versions use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that can hesitate when pulling away or responding to a sudden request for acceleration. Later mild-hybrid versions use an updated eight-speed transmission. The electrical assistance also smooths the stop-start system and provides a small boost under acceleration.

The GLB 200 d is the most economical version. Its stronger low-speed torque also makes it feel less strained than the petrol when carrying passengers or luggage. The GLB 220 d 4Matic offers noticeably stronger acceleration and additional traction in poor weather. Its economy remains respectable, although it costs more to buy and insure.

The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 is considerably quicker but also much thirstier. Its performance is entertaining, but it is less comfortable and more expensive to run than the regular models.

Thanks to its modest dimensions, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is easier to fit in tight parking spaces than most (bigger) seven-seat SUVs, and that high seating position helps with visibility. Ride comfort is very good, and the  AMG-tuned GLB35 comes with adaptive suspension which means - even with its big wheels - you can select a softer drive mode which isn’t too jittery.

You’ll notice the Mercedes-Benz GLB’s high centre of gravity in the bends, particularly if you try to drive the 35 AMG in the same manner you would an A 35 AMG. But it feels assured, and the steering is well judged - not too heavy around town, not too light out of it.

Thanks to the hush of the well-built cabin and the smooth engines, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is kind to its occupants. The Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 model, being the smallest petrol offering, needs to be worked a bit harder to make decent progress and so makes itself heard a little more than the alternatives.

Wind noise is well contained even at higher speeds, and road noise is rarely an issue either, although models that wear the largest wheels and tyres do suffer from this a little more.

EuroNCAP tested the Mercedes-Benz GLB in 2019 and gave it the full five star rating, just as you'd expect from a recently-launched Mercedes.

The safety kit provision is pretty generous from standard, with features such as Attention Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Speed Limit Assist. Go for a Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line Premium model and you get Active Parking Assist too, then there's the Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line Premium Plus with Driving Assistance which adds Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Distance Assist, Active Steering Assist and an exit warning function.

Official fuel economy varies significantly by engine and specification.

The GLB 200 petrol mild hybrid returns between 36.2 and 40.4mpg under the combined WLTP test. Cars with larger wheels and heavier equipment sit towards the lower end of that range.

The GLB 200 d is the most efficient version, returning between 46.3 and 51.4mpg. It is best suited to regular motorway journeys and higher annual mileages.

The more powerful GLB 220 d 4Matic returns approximately 47mpg. Its four-wheel-drive system and additional performance create a modest efficiency penalty compared with the front-wheel-drive diesel.

The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 is rated at approximately 30mpg, although frequent use of its performance will reduce that figure.

Drivers covering mainly short urban journeys are better served by the petrol. The diesels make more sense for frequent long-distance use, provided they are regularly driven far enough for their emissions systems to reach operating temperature.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB has a three-year manufacturer warranty with no mileage limit. Mercedes also provides three-year paint cover and longer anti-corrosion protection, subject to its terms and inspection requirements.

The unlimited-mileage warranty can benefit drivers covering substantial annual distances, although many rivals provide longer cover in years.

Insurance costs are moderate by premium-SUV standards for the regular GLB models, but rise noticeably for more powerful versions and higher trims.

Entry-level petrol and diesel cars sit towards the lower end of the range, while the GLB 220 d 4Matic costs more to insure because of its stronger performance, four-wheel-drive system and higher replacement value.

The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 is the most expensive version to cover.

From the second second, the standard annual Vehicle Excise Duty rate is £200. Every new GLB currently costs more than £40,000, so it also attracts the Expensive Car Supplement which adds £440 to your tax bill for five years from the second year.