The GLA has long held the fort for Mercedes in the compact luxury SUV department across the globe. Now though, it has been joined by a new larger sibling, the GLB.
Styling wise, the GLB is everything the GLA isn’t. It’s bolt upright, with a bluff nose and a boxy cabin. The model follows the classic Mercedes SUV template, with the two rugged slats peeling off from a super-sized star grille (there is a sportier AMG Line option with the diamond-mesh grille), headlamps that are big rectangles with DRLs, and a few rugged touches too — like short overhangs and skid plates at the front and rear. Another interesting touch is the near-vertical rear end that makes it look like a scaled-down version of the new GLS.
Under the skin, the GLB shares its platform with the new A-class, B-class and CLA; and that means it’s primarily a front-wheel-drive, but of course, there will be all-wheel-drive options. It measures 4,634mm in length, 1,834mm in width and 1,662mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,829mm — rather long for a compact luxury SUV.
Mercedes-Benz GLB 200, digitalweiß Metallic, Leder braun, raftstoffverbrauch kombiniert: 6,2-6,0 l/100 km; CO2-Emissionen kombiniert: 142-137 g/km // Mercedes-Benz GLB 200, digital white Metallic, leather brown, Fuel consumption combined: 6.2-6.0 l/100 km; Combined CO2 emissions: 142-137 g/km
This space includes the option of a third row of seats, a first for this segment. It clearly is very much a 5+2, and space in the third row is entirely dependent on where you’ve set the second row, which slides back and forth. Access to the last row is not the easiest either; but with a bit of compromise from all occupants, you can get seven people in here. The option of seven seats is better than none at all.
Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC, designo patagonienrot Metallic, Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert: 7,4-7,2 l/100 km; CO2-Emissionen kombiniert: 169-165 g/km // Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC, designo Patagonia Red Metallic, Fuel consumption combined: 7.4-7.2 l/100 km; Combined CO2 emissions: 169-165 g/km
Bear in mind that boot space is almost nil with the third row in position, but if you don’t want the third row, it folds flat and flush into the floor, in which case you get a whole 560 litres of space (drop the second row and you get 1,755 litres).
The rest of the interior is as well appointed as you’d expect of a modern Mercedes, with lots of leather, metal and wood, along with a few rugged design elements on the dash and doors. You also get the cool turbine-like air-con vents with integrated LED ambient lighting. Infotainment duties are handled by the all-new MBUX dual-screen system, with each screen measuring up to 10 inches across. The system not only features the usual host of connectivity options, but also an AI-driven voice assistant, augmented reality satellite navigation, and a host of electronic driver aids.
When it comes to powertrain options, there will be two four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines — a 164hp, 1.3-litre unit (GLB 200), a 221hp, 2.0-litre unit (GLB 250) — and one 2.0-litre diesel engine in either 150hp (GLB 200d) or 190hp (GLB 220d) guise. All except the base GLB 200 (it gets the old 7G-DCT) will use Mercedes’ new 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and 4Matic all-wheel-drive will be available. You can even get an off-road package and adaptive dampers. Also expect a pair of hot AMG versions — a 300hp GLB 35 and a 421hp GLB 45 — to follow soon.
Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC, designo patagonienrot Metallic, Kraftstoffverbrauch kombiniert: 7,4-7,2 l/100 km; CO2-Emissionen kombiniert: 169-165 g/km // Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC, designo Patagonia Red Metallic, Fuel consumption combined: 7.4-7.2 l/100 km; Combined CO2 emissions: 169-165 g/km
Mercedes-Benz India is maintaining a strict ‘we do not comment on speculation’ stance about whether or not the GLB will be launched in India; but frankly, it would be foolish not to bring it here. Its bold styling is bound to be a hit with Indian buyers, as would the added practicality of a third row of seats.
It would fit, of course, between the GLA and GLC, with a price of approximately ₹42-45 lakh (ex-showroom) taking on higher-end variants of the X1, XC40, and new Q3. Of course, there’s been no word on if and when it will come to India, but it’s a safe bet that it will in the second-half of 2020.
