Mercedes-Benz GLB Review & Prices

The whole point of the Mercedes GLB was to create a family-friendly SUV with space for up to seven passengers, but with some of the chunky, square, rugged look of the semi-legendary G-Class (or G-Wagen, if you’re old enough to remember’s Merc’s big 4x4 being called that).

The GLB succeeded. Like a pair of cosy wellies from Seasalt, it looks and acts all rough and tumble, but actually it’s more likely to be seen at a garden centre than crossing the Kalahari. The problem, now, for the GLB is that it’s about to be joined by a brand new, hybrid and long-range electric SUV - called the GLB Electric - and there’s a proper, serious, ‘Mini G-Class’ on the way too, which will further squeeze the GLB’s patch.

Combined with the fact that it’s getting a bit old now, the GLB also has its hands full with competition from the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq and Hyundai Santa Fe, as well as the Peugeot 5008.

You’ll notice the GLB’s age most on the inside, where it shares all of its dashboard and displays with the A-Class hatchback, and that’s been around since 2018 in its current form. On the upside, that means you get plenty of physical controls and buttons to go with your touchscreens, and the jet intake-style air vents still look good.

On the downside, the touchscreen and digital instruments — which look as if someone has melted an iPad and stretched it out along the top of the dashboard — use an older style of Mercedes software, which while still good is definitely behind the technology curve at this point. Still, at least you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Space in the front of the cabin is very good, and higher-spec versions get electric adjustment for those seats. You also get seven seats as standard (originally, the extra row of seats was an option) but the seats in the boot are very much of the kid-friendly variety, as you’ll struggle to fit adults back there. The Kodiaq and Santa Fe have more space in row three, as does a humble Dacia Jogger for that matter.

If the GLB isn’t all that massive on the inside, then at least that makes it a touch more compact on the outside, so it’s easier to thread through urban gaps than the bigger Skoda or Hyundai seven-seaters. The suspension is also nice and gentle over bumps.

The GLB is a bit too noisy on the motorway, and you’d miss the old sporty GLB 35 AMG for its 306hp kick when you need some acceleration. Your choice of engines is now limited to a 1.3-litre turbo petrol, badged as GLB 200, or a pair of diesels in the GLB 200d and GLB 220d. Only the latter diesel comes with 4MATIC four-wheel drive, and you also have to trade-up to the higher spec models if you want the full suite of electronic safety aids. None of the GLB models are much fun to drive, but they all feel pleasantly solid on the road, in that traditional Mercedes manner.

Verdict

The GLB, in its present form, is ageing fast now and is about to be usurped by the all-new version, with its choice of hybrid petrol or long-range electric power. There’s still something to be said for the older GLB though, thanks to its simple infotainment system, and solid diesel engines. It’s a sensible choice, rather than a fun choice, but there’s nothing actually wrong with that. Families will love it for the space and versatility on offer, and there’s no denying the posh appeal of that famous badge.

See how much you can save by visiting our Mercedes GLB deals page or check out our latest used GLB models. You can also browse other used Mercedes models and get a great price by selling your car online through Carwow. 

You are, of course, paying a fairly large premium for that Mercedes badge, but actually the older GLB isn’t terrible value for money. It's neck and neck with the Skoda Kodiaq, model for model, although of course the Skoda is a physically bigger car and has a wider range of engine options. It’s the same story for the Volkswagen Tayron, while a Hyundai Santa Fe is considerably more expensive than the Merc (although, again, it’s a much bigger and roomier car).

Oddly, the Mercedes doesn’t really have any direct premium-badge rivals, not since BMW dropped the seven-seat versions of the old 2 Series Gran Tourer. It’s worth mentioning the Dacia Jogger, which offers seven seats and similar levels of practicality for almost half the price of the GLB.

Visibility is great and makes the GLB pretty easy to drive around town, but it's not much fun on a twisty road

In town

The high driving position is definitely an advantage in town, plus rear visibility is good, as long as the headrests on the middle and back row of seats are pushed right down.

Parking and attempting tricky manoeuvres is made more straightforward by the gear lever that is mounted on a stalk behind the steering wheel. It’s a bit like activating the indicator, but instead it’s the simple task of moving between forwards and reverse.

The steering is light, which helps in town and the turning circle is good enough to navigate mini roundabouts with ease. The Skoda Kodiaq manages to have a tighter turning circle, though.

Where the Mercedes does have an advantage is in its gearbox. The German’s eight-speed transmission (called 8G-Tronic) is smoother and quicker than that found in the Skoda. That gearbox is standard in the diesel models, while the petrol 200 comes with a seven speed 7G-Tronic box.

The ride in the GLB is comfortable as you might expect with the long wheelbase and decent suspension setup employed in the car, with most bumps covered without too much drama. Encouraging given the state of some UK roads at the moment.

On the motorway

Acceleration going from 40mph is decent, which is important when coming onto a motorway or main A road. The diesel engines, which can sometimes be a little noisy in some applications, are relatively quiet in the GLB. This makes for a happy driver and almost certainly happier passengers!

There is a bit of tyre and wind noise, which can be partly put down to the shape of the car. A big square metal box is never going to be very aerodynamic and the sounds generated outside of the vehicle can often creep into the cabin, instead of going above or around the outside.

If that doesn’t sound quiet enough for you, maybe consider an Audi Q5, which takes the refinement to an extra level and offers a comparable level of kit, although you won’t get the option of seven seats with the Q5 and the new model is considerably pricier than the GLB.

On a twisty road

Unsurprisingly for a big and tall car, the GLB does tend to lean into corners, but still holds on fairly well. The steering is good enough, but this isn’t really designed to be a sports car – especially not in diesel-powered form. The old AMG 35 version used to be a bit more fun, but those days are sadly now behind us and you can’t buy one anymore.

The brakes are firm, without being overly sensitive, which means that drivers will feel more confident on fast, flowing roads. Ride comfort is good, without being too unsettling.

The GLB is a big car, with plenty of leg and headroom all round. However, the passengers in the third row of seats will be a bit cramped

Given it fits up to seven, the GLB is designed with an impressive amount of storage solutions for passengers in all three rows. The driving position is good, with plenty of headroom, should you wish to raise your seat high for a more commanding view of the road ahead and to the sides.

The steering wheel offers manual adjustment in all directions, meaning that it is relatively easy to get comfortable in the driver's seat before heading out on the road. The seats offer under-thigh support for extra comfort and the materials and foams used are of good quality, with plenty of depth to them.

If storage is an important consideration – and, given it’s a big family car, it probably will be for most GLB buyers – then there are plenty of options. There’s an ample sized glovebox, a deep centre console bin that contains two USB charging points to keep any electronic devices topped up with power. The cover for this space features two panels, one of which can be closed independently of the other, meaning that it can still be used as an armrest, but offers access to the storage box at the same time.

Further forward towards the dashboard there are dual cupholders that accommodate large and small bottles or cups, alongside space for a mobile phone or wallet (or some loose change, if anyone bothers with that anymore), as well as an additional USB port.

There are big door bins front and rear that can hold large bottles with ease. Elsewhere in the back there is netting on the behind the driver and front passenger seats – a bit like what you might find in front of you in an aeroplane.

Some spaces feature at the back of the centre console at the rear, but they are limited to only being able to hold smaller items. More USB ports have also been integrated into this area. Fold down the armrest of the rear middle seat and more cupholders pop out and there are even more cupholders and USB ports for passengers in the back two seats of the GLB.

Space in the back seats

Sit in the rear and you’ll find there is more than ample room all around you. Loads of knee room is available and, with the front seat raised up, it’s easy to stretch your legs by putting your feet underneath them.

The rear seats slide for improved comfort and also to maximise space. They also recline, which is useful if a snooze is required on a long journey.

The transmission tunnel down the middle of the car is a bit of a hindrance – especially if the middle rear seat is occupied. It is possible to straddle your legs either side, but it will impact those sitting beside you. In reality, because the car is so wide, it’s relatively easy to fit three adults in those seats.

The rear windows are large and start low, which means children travelling in the back will still get a good view out of the car. As the GLB is a true seven seater, you will have the choice of filling the boot with either stuff or, maybe, people. Note that’s not exclusively ‘children’ because, while it might be a bit snug in the third row, there is enough room to prevent small people feeling cramped back there. Although it wouldn’t really be recommended for longer journeys.

Head room might be a bit of an issue for some taller people because above the seats is part of the roof that slopes down. A Hyundai Santa Fe offers a good bit more room and comfort than the GLB, but it’s still more than bearable. Getting out of the boot via the rear doors is also not the most straightforward because it’s a bit of a squeeze getting through the gap between the door and rear seat when it is folded forwards.

Boot space

With the third row of seats up, there’s not a huge amount of room, but enough for a few overnight bags. When folded flat, the boot offers 570 litres of storage space, which is ample, and only about 10% less than in a Mercedes GLC. Other options with bigger boots include the Skoda Kodiaq, with 620 litres available in seven-seat versions with the rear-most seats folded, while the Hyundai Santa Fe can carry 628 litres.

Other features in the boot include cargo nets and straps for storage, a 12V socket and hooks for shopping bags. Unlike a VW Tayron, the second row of seats can’t be pushed flat from the boot, you have to get into the car and pull the straps to drop them.

The infotainment system in the GLB is arguably the best in the business, but the voice control does have a habit of popping up when you least expect – or want – it to

Many of the interior touches in the GLB follow on from that seen in the A-Class and the GLA. For example, the general layout of the dashboard is lifted straight from those cars, so you get a long, shallow twin-screen infotainment display which was once one of the best around, but which has since fallen a behind the tech curve (even if it’s much easier to use than some of the newer all-screen systems).

The GLB’s cabin looks a bit more grown-up and sturdy than the GLA’s interior. There are extra trim panels in front of the passenger and next to the steering wheel, while the door trims are slightly more upright and more befitting of an SUV.

In terms of material quality, there’s a mixture of pleasant soft plastics for much of the dashboard and interior surroundings, mixed in with cheaper, thinner plastics that are susceptible to scratches.

The centre console is solid, but less said about the climate control panel the better because it is – like in the GLA and the A Class – a bit flimsy.

But generally the interior quality is good and the design is sensible, with all of the controls exactly where you need them.

Coming back to the infotainment system, it is very easy to navigate using the touchscreen that allows you to easily scroll through the different menus available. It can also be operated via a pad on the centre console and also one on the left hand side of the steering wheel, next to the volume and smartphone controls and the fact that the GLB still has physical controls for the heating and air conditioning makes it much easier to use than some more modern SUVs.

The display is still crystal clear and phone connectivity is very straightforward, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as standard.

The sat nav system uses virtual reality to superimpose the live camera feed from the front camera with digital arrows, one of the first ever systems to do this, and it still works well. The driver’s display can be personalised with a range of options, depending on what information you want at your fingertips. It might be navigation, audio or trip information – all are possible in the GLB.

In the GLB’s engine range there are two petrols and two diesel choices. The petrol options are a 1.3-litre turbo with 163hp in the GLB 200. The sporty Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 with the 2.0-litre 306hp engine has been dropped.

But you may opt for the fuel economy and driving range of a diesel. There, you have the choice of a 2.0-litre unit with 150hp that powers the GLB 200d or the GLB 220d’s engine of the same capacity but with 190hp.

All versions get an automatic gearbox and, depending on engine, it will be front- or all-wheel-drive. The claimed 0-62mph time for the 220d model is 7.6 seconds, which is quick enough, given the GLB is not a small car.

A Carwow test drive in the GLB 220d recorded an average economy of 42.2mpg, which is decent, but a bit shy of the quoted manufacturer’s figure of 49.6mpg.

Emissions-wise, the cleanest GLB is the 200d, which emits 149g/km of CO2, making it the cheapest in the range for first-year Vehicle Excise Duty. It's closely followed by the other diesel – the 220d (156g/km), while the petrol offerings emit 160g/km (GLB 200) and 197g/km for the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35. These all drop into higher pricing bands than the 200d, making them more expensive to tax. The lack of a hybrid option means none are particularly tempting for company car buyers looking to reduce their benefit-in-kind payments.

Mercedes GLB Euro NCAP (2019): 5/5

Adult occupant: 92%
Child Occupant: 88%
Vulnerable road users: 78%
Safety assist: 74%

Another Mercedes and another five-star ranging from European safety test organisation Euro NCAP. The GLB scores highly in adult occupant protection (92%) and child occupant (88%) and features an almost full complement of frontal crash protection equipment. These include belt pre-tensioners and load limiters and a knee airbag for the driver.

It's worth noting that the test was taken in 2019, and the criteria has undergone multiple rounds of changes since then - becoming far stricter in the process.

There are side head airbags front and rear in the seven-seater, as well as side chest and pelvis airbags for front passengers. Seatbelt reminders are included all round, while other safety systems from Mercedes helping to reach those five stars include speed assistance and lane assist but you have to trade up to a top-spec model to get all of the upgraded electronic safety systems, which is frustrating.

Like all other Mercedes passenger cars offered in the UK, the GLB comes with a warranty of three years/unlimited mileage. This is pretty standard for its class, although extended warranties are available from Mercedes dealers.

Recalls have taken place for GLB issues, including ones associated with the emergency call system, side spoilers and the rear tailgate spoiler. Elsewhere another recall was down to reports of a low oil level in the transmission and also a suggestion that the vehicle body might not be sealed.

The GLB didn’t feature in the most recent Driver Power Top 50 Cars To Own list, but Mercedes as a brand did exceptionally well, with the bigger GLE SUV topping the list, and the C-Class finishing in fifth place.