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

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Well, it had to happen. Mercedes's SUV lineup has been expanded again with the rise of the smallest seven-seater SUV ever offered and for those who can't afford a seven-seater GLE, then the SUV equivalent of the B-Class, better known as the GLB, has arrived and it promise to offer the same practicality as the other Mercedes SUVs offered, now in a just-sized chunk.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB

The first-ever Mercedes-Benz GLB, starting at 37,746.80 Euros plus OTR, is what happens when they want a small seven-seater SUV that offers the same practicality as its big brothers and looks like they're not joking, almost.

At first glance, the GLB looks almost identical to the concept car first appeared in the 2019 Auto Shanghai, and with the concept-turned-reality looks, it's hard to imagine how small this crossover is in reality and with its compact sizing, the GLB can really squeeze through parking lots like a city car full stop but this is not a city car of course. It's a lot more complicating than that.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB interior

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB interior

Compact sizing aside, the interior of the GLB blends the right things with wrong things and although its surprisingly comfortable to live with, the small sizing makes everyone in the third row difficult to breathe their legs out and with the third row seats present, the spacing's too small, meaning you can't fit a stroller at the back when you have an infant with you unless you folded the third-row seats down or make use of the secret compartment for your other necessities. That's a non non for a family of five and two guests because of the sweet spot becoming not-so-sweet anymore for the GLB's interior and you'll spend the rest of the trip getting squeezed with someone next to you. Ouch.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB

Because of its city car-like sizing, the GLB is offered with a wide range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines to choose from with the range-topping GLB 250's 2.0L M 260 engine produces 224PS of power. Depending on the variant, the GLB can be mated with either a 7G-DCT or an 8G-DCT.

Handling wise, the GLB feels above average for a small seven-seater SUV but with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, it feels pretty much decent to drive even when taken on the dirt on a rainy day. It even comes with the optional Off-Road Engineering Package that comes with the off-road light, an extra driving mode suitable for off-road use, and the Downhill Speed Regulation. Quite clever, I dare say.

So, would you want the GLB or not? That is the question only customers will answer and because being an SUV, they would just hurry and buy one in case they can't afford a GLE.

Photo: Daimler AG