Mercedes-AMG GLB35

The first-ever Mercedes-Benz GLB is no doubt the smallest seven-seater crossover they've ever made for people who can't afford the likes of the GLE and the king of Mercedes crossovers, the GLS. Those looking for some more beef in the GLB should consider the semi-high performance variant of the GLB, dubbed the Mercedes-AMG GLB35 4Matic, and this is what happens when soccer mom's secret life is bigger than the kids imagined.

2020 Mercedes-AMG GLB35

The GLB35 is priced at 54,550 Euros plus on road costs, meaning it's more expensive to own than the normal GLB but less expensive than the GLE53 by almost 20 grand, making it the ideal bargain crossover for those who are rich and have kids.

First and foremost, the GLB35 works like a normal GLB, meaning that it's short in size, seven-seater capacity where the back has a dreadful choice between boot space or extra seats for anyone in case the second-row seats got occupied by child seats, which is not cool for those hunting for the "sweet spot", endless amount of tech loaded to it, everything. But since this is the GLB35, it's way different than your normal GLB.

The engine, like most of the AMG 35 lineup, is a 306PS 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 8-speed double-clutch gearbox, capable of going 0-100kph in less than five seconds and top speed limited to 250kph. Simple as that.

Dynamics wise, the 4Matic four-wheel drive system really means it's not afraid to get itself dirty, especially in the wet, but being crossover, it's unwise to take it for a cross-country trip. That's reserved for the G-Class, thank you very much. Dirt aside, the GLB35 is not bad to be taken on the road but worth a struggle on the bends when taken on the track because with its main intention to go understeer like normal four-wheel drive cars with front-biased diffs. Even toying around with its AMG DYNAMIC SELECT and AMG DYNAMICS wouldn't help either because it behaves like a hot Audi in so many ways. Crude but effective if you are into something mild.

So, would you consider this in case you can't afford the GLE53? Judging by the way it goes, you can if you are prepared to sacrifice your arms for the mild and tangy character the GLB35 possesses but for everyday use, it's crude but effective. That's all.

Photo: Daimler AG