2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class Review: Baby three-row done right

In a world where tiny SUVs can easily fall into impractical charge box territory, the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is a breath of fresh air. Unlike most of its peers, it’s big enough, versatile enough and costs sufficient to necessitate the elevated rate it commands and make it a real deluxe offering, also if it is amongst the less expensive alternatives Mercedes supplies.

What’s the GLB’s key? Well, as tiny SUVs go, it’s in fact quite big inside. Credit scores the sensible, boxy form and whip-smart packaging. They combine to deliver a useful, comfy space with a family-friendly rear and class-dominating cargo carrying capacity. The worldly high quality and layout of the inside are both above standard for the segment, and there’s no shortage of technology goodies from Mercedes’ deep plaything box offered– feel in one’s bones that infotainment can be a little bit overwhelming to discover what you’re searching for. An additional potential downside is the GLB 250’s powertrain, specifically its dual-clutch automatic guidebook transmission, which can be slow in reacting to throttle inputs and usually really feels less polished than what you’ll locate in rivals (most especially the BMW X1). In various other dynamics regards, it’s fairly proficient, while the AMG-prepped GLB35 goes much even more than simple skills by essentially being a warm hatch with far better visibility. It runs circles around the similarity the X1, Audi Q3, Lexus UX and even the Mercedes-Benz GLA as a sensible everyday chauffeur. Eventually, we recommend both GLB versions.

The GLB 250 name indicates that the GLB concerned has the base engine: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four generating 221 horse power and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 13-horsepower boost originating from its mild-hybrid help system. It has an eight-speed dual-clutch automated hands-on transmission and common front-wheel drive. In this arrangement, the GLB 250 is ranked at 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 28 mpg incorporated. With the “4Matic” all-wheel-drive system, those numbers drop to 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 27 mpg integrated.

Mercedes put the GLB under the knife for a little nip-and-tuck for 2024. The big incorporation in this round of updates is the newest version of Benz’s MBUX Infotainment system. Some behind the curtain updates improve the efficiency of the GLB’s energetic safety systems and, for the first time, a warmed guiding wheel can be optioned with AMG appearance packages.

The GLB 250 is a lot more regarding luxury and convenience than performance. As for what’s under the hood, the GLB 250’s conventional four-cylinder supplies lots of punch but does come off a little thrashy contrasted to what you’ll experience in pricier Benz versions. Vibrant refinement in general is where the GLB shows its lower price tag when in comparison to pricier Benzes like the GLC.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 starts at $45,600, including the $1,150 destination cost. The all-wheel-drive GLB 250 4Matic starts at $47,600.

On paper, Mercedes says the GLB uses 24 cubic feet with the second-row seats up, however in fact, there’s really far even more than that number would indicate. The GLB 250 name shows that the GLB in inquiry has the base engine: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four creating 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a 13-horsepower increase coming from its mild-hybrid aid system. The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 additionally has a 2.0-liter turbo, yet it’s been functioned over by Mercedes’ AMG tuning department to produce 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Every GLB consists of the last model of Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX infotainment suite, which is controlled by a collection of redundant input selections: a new twin 10.25-inch display screen, steering wheel controls and natural-language commands. The old center console touchpad has actually been kicked out for 2024, though, which is OK from a performance stand point (we probably used it much less than anything else) but the unusually shaped, grippy storage pad that is left in its wake is questionably valuable (an iPhone 15 won’t fit in it for example) and feels like a waste of area in what is or else a well outlined inside. Additionally, while we such as the infomercial system’s “have it your means technique” to inputs and appreciate this system’s rapid feedbacks and pretty graphics, it simply isn’t constantly straightforward to use. Criterion Wireless Android Car and Apple CarPlay are both fantastic to have, and we value that Mercedes makes it easy to swiftly go in between the MBUX and Apple/Android user interfaces with completely docked icons in the display’s top left edge.

The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 additionally has a 2.0-liter turbo, yet it’s been worked over by Mercedes’ AMG tuning department to produce 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It’ll hit 60 in 5.4 seconds. The eight-speed DCT and standard all-wheel drive are additionally unique AMG versions. It attains 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 23 mpg incorporated.

The GLB uses much more modification than is normal at this cost factor. There are the usual bundles, consisting of the $1,500 Exclusive Trim bundle that adds navigation to the conventional 10.25-inch display screen, but many functions, consisting of the optional third row of seating ($850) are stand-alone options unless you choose the all-in Pinnacle Trim ($5,150). This indicates it can be tough to find exactly what you desire in supply at a dealership whole lot, however it also implies that if you have some perseverance, you can buy specifically what you want and not spend for stuff you don’t.

As for the AMG GLB 35, it is legally fun also if it does not rather reach the degree of “extra-tall hot hatch” as the smaller GLA 35 does. Like the GLA and other AMG 35 versions, the GLB 35 is just “on” from the 2nd you pop it into Drive. With the Sporting activity drive mode picked, body motions are perfectly managed with the stiffness and sharpness you would certainly anticipate from an AMG.

Elderly Editor James Riswick bursts out odds and ends to stuff inside Mercedes’ most utility-focused version. The GLB has actually included a storage area because this was done (where the old MBUX touchpad was), however it does not truly add much.

The GLB’s wheelbase is better to that of lots of midsize offerings, and its total length exceeds that of many rivals. You don’t truly notice this behind the wheel– it still really feels quite tiny– and this added size integrated with the boxy style leads to the GLB being a cargo-hauling rockstar. Theoretically, Mercedes states the GLB uses 24 cubic feet with the second-row seats up, but actually, there’s in fact much more than that number would suggest. Its back lots floor can be lowered to fit bigger items, but despite having the floor in its conventional placement, the GLB can swallow extra cargo than crossovers in the bigger, pricier small sector.

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The GLB 250’s common driver help equipment consists of onward accident warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic caution, and a driver inattention screen. The Motorist Assistance package includes a mountain of systems, most of which are better executed than numerous similar systems. These consist of lane-keeping assist, automated evasive guiding aid for the blind-spot and onward accident warning systems, automatic emergency situation braking for the back cross-traffic caution system, a higher rate limit for the forward automated emergency situation braking system, automated speed decrease based upon uploaded speed restrictions (you can transform this set off like most of these systems), Mercedes’ Pre-Safe pre-crash prep work systems, and Mercedes exceptional Distronic adaptive cruise ship control system with stop-and-go capacity and lane-centering steering aid.

The GLB likewise has available third-row seating, which its smaller sized competitors and even those in the bigger portable course absence. We expect this choice doesn’t hurt, yet these optional rearmost seats just aren’t that habitable, even for youngsters. We would certainly skip them or get a non-luxury three-row automobile for the exact same cost.

This additional length equates into lots of second-row area, where passengers will certainly locate moving and reclining seats for additional comfort (you do not get those in the mechanically associated GLA). The mix of fold-down seatbacks and moving bases can also be made use of for extra cargo room if the roomy hatch alone will not be enough, making the GLB a versatility superstar, too.

Ought to all of that still stop working to avoid an accident, the NHTSA offered the GLB four out of 5 star for total frontal collision protection, and 5 star for total side accident security. The Insurance Policy Institute for Freeway Safety hasn’t tested it.

Mercedes put the GLB under the knife for a little nip-and-tuck for 2024. Some behind the curtain updates enhance the performance of the GLB’s energetic safety systems and, for the initial time, a warmed steering wheel can be optioned with AMG look plans.

Despite where you search in the GLB, its smart product packaging thrills. It provides lots of storage space in both the guest cabin and cargo area, making it more functional than many luxury offerings in this sector (and indeed several others). The GLB’s driving setting is exceptional, and its front- and second-row seats are comfortable and encouraging with a lot of adjustment.

The GLB gets on the low-cost side for a Mercedes-Benz, but the high quality of products and offered alternatives get on the same level or better for assumptions at this cost factor. The fancier options will certainly increase the rate, naturally, but even the basic components are high-quality and accurate.