by Kelly Fisher
It’s not that new
The Mercedes-Benz GLB has been around on the international market since the end of 2019, but well, 2020 happened so our attention was elsewhere. It was only last year that Mercedes-Benz had a re-launch of the GLB in South Africa. And now that it has our attention, we had the chance to drive one for a week.
It makes for a good upgrade from the C-Class
If you are already part of the Mercedes-Benz family thanks to a C-Class, you might be wondering what your next step on the family ladder would be. The GLA might feel too small for the family or your ligfestyle. This is the one you’ve been looking for. This family SUV is excellent for those wanting to move away from the family sedan and onto something sportier, more adventurous. The SUV lifestyle and cred of the GLB is, in my opinion, the next step from a C-Class if you’re looking to level up. It has all the comforts of the C-Class with the lifestyle of an SUV. You wouldn’t take your C-Class camping or you’d try to avoid gravel travel if possible. The GLB will let you do all that and more – at a higher price tag, of course.
The GLB slots in between the GLA and GLC – and would be my choice between the three if I had the money. It is bigger than the GLA and therefore offers more space and comfort for the whole family.
There are two engines in SA
The GLB comes as a 220 diesel with 140 kW and 400 N.m of torque coming from its 2,0-litre engine or you could opt for a turbocharged petrol with 165 kW and 350 N.m of torque. The latter is the GLB 250. We had the diesel model on test – always my pick of the bunch in this economic climate.
There are, of course, a plethora of packages and optional specification items on the GLB. As standard, it comes with MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience. This allows for control of the infotainment system in the vehicle via a modern touchscreen interface.
It’s pretty much what you’d expect from Mercedes-Benz
When it comes to styling and quality, the GLB is very much on par with its siblings. Being a luxury SUV that costs in excess of R1 million, it has high-quality finishes and solid build quality. And while I did miss the electric seats that come on many modern vehicles at this price point, I realise that some features need to go to make room for other nice-to-haves.
4MATIC all-wheel drive is only available on the 220d
If you want the all-wheel drive GLB, you will have to opt for the 220d. This system allows the driver to use the dynamic select and change the driving style of the system. Mercedes-Benz also notes that the system has the following highlights:
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An animation of the driving situation can be called up in the media display. The realistic presentation of gradient, inclination angle and technical settings helps the driver to judge manoeuvres correctly.
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The hill-start assistance system Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) automatically adheres to a preselected, slow speed between approx. 2 and 18 km/h. It can be read out in the instrument cluster and in the optional head-up display. With targeted brake applications, the assistant helps retain control during steep downhill driving.
Verdict?
The GLB is everything you expect from a modern Merc – sophisticated and upmarket with a good ride quality – but in an SUV package. This is for those who have want a Mercedes that matches their outdoor, sporty and adventurous lifestyle. It’s a good vehicle – I expected nothing less.
Mercedes-Benz GLB, galaxy blue