Merc GLB focuses on space and practicality
This new version of Mercedes-Benz's GLB is longer, wider, and has a slightly lower roofline than before.
Mercedes-Benz introduced the second generation of its family-focused GLB SUV in mid-August of this year, available in four all-electric and five petrol/hybrid versions, offering one of the widest choices in its segment.
The GLB compact crossover SUV is positioned between the smaller GLA subcompact SUV and the larger GLC model as a practical, family-oriented car at an achievable price.
This new version is longer, wider, and has a slightly lower roofline than before. It comes with more interior space, more technology and innovation, and a choice of 5- or 7-seat layouts.
The car looks quite boxy in shape, but this ensures adequate interior room. At night, the Diamond radiator grille provides a lighting display that will amaze onlookers. My car had silver roof rails and privacy glass, and was in a clear blue metallic colour, which wouldn’t be my choice, but there are other exterior colours available.
The improved interior space provides very good head and legroom, front and rear. The minimalist dash is very much technology-led, the main feature being the enormous black glass screen that combines the brand’s MBUX 14-inch landscape central touchscreen with the 10.25-inch driver’s information cluster display. Graphics are colourful and clear, and screen menus user-friendly.
The infotainment screen includes built-in Google Maps, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and becomes an excellent reversing camera. Drivers will appreciate the car’s navigation which will schedule charging stops as part of route guidance so you know when you will reach your destination and how much range you will need to get there. There are permanent switches on the base of the central console screen to adjust the dual-zone climate control.
Customers can order the MBUX Superscreen system that provides another 14-inch touchscreen for the front passenger – making an almost continuous surface across the dash – so they can watch films or play games while on the move. The content is not visible from the driver’s side, so won’t be a distraction. A Head-Up Display is an optional extra.
The multifunction steering wheel comes wrapped in nappa leather, and has paddles for manual gear selection in combustion-engined versions, for regeneration strength in EVs. The car recuperates electric energy when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal - there are four different levels of energy recuperation available.
I appreciated the storage area below the central console close to the floor, and its two USB ports. There’s also a 12V socket for the front passenger, and a wireless charging pad for your mobile phone. I preferred to use the volume wheel on the steering wheel instead of the slider control on the central console.
Visibility is excellent due to the car’s height, big windscreen, and thin A-pillars. A tinted panoramic sunroof stretches far back to over the rear passengers’ heads.
Premium front sports seats in vegan trim have integrated and padded headrests, manual seat adjustments including 4-way lumbar support, and can also be heated. Rear seats split 40:20:40 and the floor is completely flat.
My car had a height-adjustable power tailgate, a high boot floor, and a tyre sealant kit. Electric versions have more luggage space than the hybrids. The big 127-litre frunk can hold up to 20kg so is useful for storing charging cables, sports bags or other items. It is available only on the electric models.
Irish grades are Progressive, AMG Line, and AMG Line Plus. Drive modes are Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual. Optional extras were an Advanced Plus Package and an AMG Line Sports Seat Package. AMG Line, at €2,579, provided a black fabric roof liner, surround lighting, AMG body styling; red stitching on seats, steering wheel and doors; a sporty engine sound, 19-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels. The AMG Line Sports Seat Package with the sports seats is an extra.
The GLB 200 Electric version uses a 58kWh battery and has a claimed range of 425km. Torque is a generous 335Nm and from 0-100km/h takes 8.2 seconds. Other electric variants are a GLB 250 with 71kWh battery and 521km range, 250+ with an 85kWh battery and 624km range, and a 350 4MATIC AWD version with 85kWh battery and 607km range. All have a 10%–80% DC charging time of around 20 minutes – just enough time to enjoy a coffee and a cookie. When I recharged, 57% of battery charge allowed 208km range.
When on the road, I found the very quiet indicators a bit unsettling, but blind spot monitors on side windows were excellent.
PRICES: from €59,355, my car as tested €65,187. Annual road tax is €120.
