Mercedes-Benz GLB review

This is the Mercedes-Benz GLB, the second SUV up the company’s long and illustrious ladder. This one shares its foundations with the A-Class supermini and B-Class hatch, but unlike Merc’s more car-like crossover SUVs, the GLB has an upright, squared-off stance that makes it more akin to the G-Class itself. Sort of. 

The GLB has been on sale since 2019, which made 2023 the right time for a carefully applied, mid-life nip and tuck. The car’s been mildly refreshed on the outside and benefits from the latest improvements to the A-Class interior, with fancy screens that span most of the dashboard and a sleeker set-up.

How does it match up to the B-Class? 

The GLB is 220mm longer, 38mm wider and 120mm taller than the B-Class, giving corresponding increases in leg- and headroom and luggage space. Crucially the GLB also manages to squeeze in an extra row of seats, with enough space for two small seats that flip up from the boot floor. Mercedes says these can ‘comfortably’ accommodate people up to 5ft 6in tall. Just for the kids then.

What about rivals? 

It’s shorter than a VW Tiguan Allspace or Nissan X-Trail, but longer than a Land Rover Discovery Sport. It’s not as tall as any of those cars, but about as wide as the VW and Nissan, and a fair bit narrower than the Land Rover.

In terms of price and concept its toughest challenge might come from Skoda's capable Kodiaq seven-seater. That car is broadly similar to the GLB, although it's 60mm longer. Prices start at a smidge under £40k for the Merc and rise to just over £53k for the slightly mad AMG version of the car. 

Is it sporty or comfortable?

Thankfully the GLB doesn't sacrifice all of its comfort in the name of relentless sportiness, like so many other crossover SUVs. The ride is comfortable, smothering the worst of the UK’s roads. The cabin is roomy and well built too – the car’s overall atmosphere lends itself to a more sedate form of travel. That’s assuming you’re not in the AMG version, which is the opposite. But it actually manages to be fun.

What are the engines like?

You get a similar selection of engines to what’s available in the A- and B-Class models: you can have a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol in the GLB 200, or a 2.0-litre diesel as either a GLB 200d or 220d. The GLB 220d gets standard 4Matic all-wheel drive (it’s an option on the 200d). There is an off-road pack that adds an extra drive mode. But while the GLB will get you further off-road than you might expect, the Disco Sport is still king of that particular hill.

All engines get an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, bar the GLB 200 which uses the old seven-speed. And yes, of course the AMG one is rapid – the GLB 35 does 0–62mph in a shade over five seconds (thanks to actual launch control). You can have it with seven seats too. 

Is it practical inside?

The two rearmost seats are definitely better for children or very tiny adults, but will work best if you’re regularly carrying five and need the extra flexibility. If you’re a family of seven then you’ll find that the boot doesn’t leave you enough space for your day to day bits and pieces, let alone trips away. 

The dashboard is now essentially the same one you get in the A-Class, with twin 10.1in screens for the infotainment screen and instrument panel. You’ll find the latest version of the MBUX system onboard, as well as the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant. It has a limited repertoire, but can be useful at times.

The GLB fulfils its brief well – it’s not too try-hard and it’s aimed at a more sensible lifestyle than a lot of other, larger family wagons seem to think people lead. It’s comfortable, spacious and wears the Mercedes badge well. The interior is a matter of taste, but it’s in line with the rest of the Mercedes range. 

If you’re a company car driver we’d say go for the EQB electric version, and otherwise we’d suggest you take a good long look at a Skoda Kodiaq before committing to the combustion engined Mercedes. The GLB has more character than the Czech car, even if it lacks the ‘clever’ details of the Kodiaq.