Mercedes’ GLB is at the opposite end of the “coupe-SUV” design spectrum that many consumers love, but it hasn’t had any issue attracting drivers.
Its unashamedly boxy design gives it a rugged appeal that suburbanites love, while its seven-seater layout makes it even more versatile than the five-seater GLA crossover.
Over four years have passed since its debut and naturally, the model has been given a do-over to keep it relevant to its target buyers.
ALL THE “RIGHT” ANGLES
The GLB’s square silhouette remains unchanged, but the SUV’s exterior now features redesigned front and rear bumpers. New LED High Performance headlamps and taillights have been installed as well. These have changed the light signature from ’rounded square’ to horizontal lines.
For Progressive variants, the front grille is changed from having two bars to four bars, which reminds one of the G-Class, Mercedes’ even squarer and tougher SUV.
Like the updated CLA, the GLB’s interior now looks even more upmarket after being fitted with the second-generation Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) system. It houses the two 10.25-inch high-resolution displays (infotainment and instrument cluster) in a single panel.
The latest version of MBUX offers an enhanced user experience with quicker loading times and more intuitive menus, so that it’s easier to get the hang of the system. And since access to it is mostly through the touchscreen, the touchpad and physical buttons on the centre console have been removed, resulting in a neater cockpit.
On the topic of physical buttons, the ones on the new steering wheel are now the touch-sensitive type, which may not be to everyone’s liking, especially if you prefer tactile feedback to inputs. There’s also an additional USB-C port for faster charging.
The upright and tall-ish driving position remains the same, though, which is great news for drivers who prefer a higher vantage point. Coupled with the relatively flat dashboard top, forward and lateral outward visibility is good.
Still in need of optimisation, however, are the last two seats in the third row. Anyone over 1.7m tall will find accommodations here to be a squeeze, so these are best reserved for short commutes. At any rate, the GLB should be considered as a 5+2, rather than an outright seven-seater.
NEEDS A PUSH TO PERFORM
One of the biggest upgrades to the GLB is that there’s now a 48-volt mild hybrid system working alongside the turbocharged 1.3-litre inline-4. Said system is equipped with an integrated starter-generator that delivers nearly imperceptible stop-start functionality and under the right conditions, lets the car coast or ‘sail’ when cruising.
It also provides an additional 10kW when the car is moving off from a standstill, so that the GLB feels smoother than before. Like the updated CLA180, this powertrain puts out 129bhp and 230Nm of torque.
However, with more sheet metal and more seats, the engine needs to pull 1640kg in this application, or 210kg heavier than the CLA180. It’s no surprise then that the SUV is a relaxed performer, with the century dash taking 10.3 seconds.
Frankly, 10.3 seconds sounds optimistic, even when you’ve mashed the accelerator pedal to the floor. So, you’ll have to time your merging and overtaking manoeuvres, lest you run out of room to complete them before traffic catches up. The GLB180 works better when it’s sedately driven, which means a comfier ride for occupants.
VERY VERSATILE
The GLB is even more versatile than the GLA, too. The additional pair of rear seats lets it be used as a seven-seater when required, but when these and the second-row seats are folded flat, you free up 1800 litres of boot space. That’s 380 litres more than the GLA’s total, making the GLB even more useful for say, hauling full-size bicycles or helping a friend move house.
The GLB might be at the opposite end of the ‘coupe-SUV’ design spectrum, but with its improvements, it remains a unique proposition in the luxury compact crossover segment.
Its styling is inspired by the iconic G-Class, but instead of being unwieldy to drive around town, it offers an upmarket and outdoorsy vibe while being easy to drive in the city, where it will probably reside.
Mercedes-Benz GLB180 Progressive 1.3 (A)
ENGINE 1332cc, 16-valves, inline-4, turbocharged
MAX POWER 129hp at 5500rpm
MAX TORQUE 230Nm at 1660-3000rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 78.7hp per tonne
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100KM/H 10.3 seconds
TOP SPEED 197km/h
CONSUMPTION 14.5km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE From $264,888
AGENT Cycle & Carriage Industries
