Mercedes-Benz GLB Review 2024

Written by Andrew Brady

8/10
heycar ratingPractical yet desirable premium SUV
  • 2020
  • Small SUV
  • Petrol, Diesel

Quick overview

Pros

  • Trendy little SUV
  • Upmarket interior is very versatile
  • Diesel engines are efficient

Cons

  • Quite pricey compared to mainstream competitors
  • Only an occasional seven-seater
  • Seven-speed auto in GLB 200 is annoying

Overall verdict on the Mercedes-Benz GLB

"The Mercedes-Benz GLB takes the best bits of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and wraps it in a compact SUV body, and it turns out to be one of the most desirable seven-seat premium SUVs you can buy. The interior is an absolute delight and will be big enough for many people, and as long as you avoid the spicy AMG version, it should be relatively inexpensive to run too."

Mercedes-Benz GLB Review 2024: exterior front three quarter photo of the Mercedes-Benz GLB

In this Mercedes-Benz GLB review we're looking at another of the massed ranks of SUVs, but the good news is that it is relatively compact for a seven-seater compared to full-size offerings such as the Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz's own GLS.


Much of the hardware in the Mercedes-Benz GLB comes from the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class. That’s good news as they’re two of our favourite hatchbacks, with superb interiors and strong engine line-ups. 


The GLB has showroom appeal by the bucketload. It looks really cool, almost like a miniature G-Class (the firm’s old-school Land Rover Defender alternative). There’s a huge three-pointed star on the grille, while high-spec models look particularly classy with big wheels and chrome trim.


Its boxy design translates to a load of interior space, too. Adults will be extremely well looked after in the front, enjoying comfortable seats and a high seating position. There’s loads of head and legroom, too, and it feels like a much bigger SUV.


Things are equally good in the middle row. A pair of adults won’t have any cause for complaint with regards to headroom, and the bench slides backwards and forwards should you need more legroom.


Most Mercedes-Benz GLB models come with seven seats but, if you really need to carry seven people regularly, you’d be better looking for a people carrier (however dull that sounds). The back seats pop up from the boot floor, meaning there’s basically no boot space with them in use. As a five-seater, the GLB’s a very practical SUV.


The engine range is made up of the usual petrol and diesel choices, all paired with a seven- or eight-speed automatic gearbox. We think the diesels suit the GLB well, with the 200d being our engine of choice. The more powerful 220d is tempting but wasn’t originally available with seven seats - it is now.


Annoyingly, the petrol Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 is let down by its tardy transmission, using the seven- rather than eight-speed ’box. For that reason it’s best avoided. The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, however, is a lot of fun - with enough pace to challenge the BMW's sporty X2 M35i SUV, and a great soundtrack to boot.


AMG model aside, the GLB refreshingly focuses on comfort rather than being fun to drive. That means it rides very well and feels composed in the corners, although there is a little more lean than you’d get in the A- or B-Class.


Ultimately, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is a very appealing family SUV. It’ll be practical enough for a lot of buyers and it feels extremely premium inside. The biggest issue is the price - the most desirable models cost more than £40,000 when new, so you will be lumbered with heftier road tax bill for th first five years of ownership.


Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Mercedes-Benz Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Mercedes GLB models for sale.

If you’re looking for a classy car that has room for all the family but don’t want (or need) a massive SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLB should be high on your shortlist.

All Mercedes-Benz GLB models come with seven seats as standard and even the entry level Sport Executive model comes well equipped with 18-inch alloys, a digital instrument display and keyless go as well as Mercedes' Artico artificial leather seats. While this offers all most people will need, the sportier looking Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line is £3500 more, but it's still the one we'd choose. The extra equipment such as rear privacy glass and a 180 degree reversing camera make it worth it. 


The engine line-up is small but we'd go for the Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 petrol unless you're covering big miles, in which case the GLB 200 d is best for economy.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is unique in that it has seven seats - you usually have to go for a bigger SUV for this. Competitors come in the form of five-seat premium SUVs like the BMW X1, Volvo XC40 and Audi Q3 as well as more mainstream alternatives like the Peugeot 5008 and Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace

Comfort and design: Mercedes-Benz GLB interior

"Mercedes-Benz continues to knock it out of the park with its interiors. The Mercedes-Benz GLB feels like a class act inside, with an abundance of soft-touch materials. It’ll look very familiar to anyone who’s sat in the beautifully appointed A-Class hatchback."

Mercedes-Benz GLB Review 2024: interior close up photo of the Mercedes-Benz GLB dashboard

Although the Mercedes-Benz GLB is packed with tech, you won't be overwhelmed when you climb aboard. With the touchscreen system and steering-wheel controls handling almost all the functions you need, it's a pleasingly uncluttered view from the driver's seat.


The seats are very good in the first and second rows, offering good support and a fair amount of adjustment. Those in the third row aren't as good - kids won't mind but you may find adults of a certain carriage begin to complain on longer journeys.

Not that its outside isn't appealing, but you can really sense where the extra money went when you climb aboard the Mercedes-Benz GLB. The driver gets the best deal of course, but all your passengers will also enjoy the modern and classy interior.


There's very little evidence of penny-pinching in here and it all feels very well built too. If you've ever been fortunate to experience the luxury of an S-Class interior you can see how the GLB comes from the same family.

One of the highlights of the Mercedes-Benz GLB is Mercedes-Benz’s excellent MBUX infotainment system, comprising two digital displays, each 10.25-inches in size now, though some earlier models made do with a 7.0-inch infotainment screen. It's a clear system to use with sharp graphics and lightning-quick responses. 


You can control it via touchscreen (it’ll take pinch and swipe gestures like a smartphone), or using the touchpad between the seats. We particularly like the augmented reality navigation, which will display graphics over an image of the road ahead to make it clear which direction you need to go in.

The dimensions of the Mercedes-Benz GLB make it 4634mm long and 1834mm wide, so it's only a fraction longer than something like a Nissan Qashqai. The result is that the cabin feels fairly spacious, thanks to its 100mm longer wheelbase compared to the A-Class. There’s loads of space for passengers in the middle row, thanks in part to a bench which can be slid backwards and forwards. 


All models now come with seven seats, but the third row really is for occasional use only. Adults will raise eyebrows at the idea of clambering into the back seats. Kids will love it. If you do use the rearmost seats, there’s practically no boot. They’re easily dropped, though, and when used as a five-seater the Mercedes-Benz GLB is a practical crossover with 570-litres of luggage space, though the 200 petrol model's boot is marginally smaller at 565-litres.

Handling and ride quality: What is the Mercedes-Benz GLB like to drive?

"The Mercedes-Benz GLB won't wow you with its driving experience. The emphasis is on safe and secure rather than outright thrills, and there are better alternatives in this respect."

Mercedes-Benz GLB Review 2024: exterior rear three quarter photo of the Mercedes-Benz GLB on the road

Thanks to its modest dimensions, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is easier to fit in tight parking spaces than most (bigger) seven-seat SUVs, and that high seating position helps with visibility. Ride comfort is very good, and the  AMG-tuned GLB35 comes with adaptive suspension which means - even with its big wheels - you can select a softer drive mode which isn’t too jittery.


You’ll notice the Mercedes-Benz GLB’s high centre of gravity in the bends, particularly if you try to drive the 35 AMG in the same manner you would an A 35 AMG. But it feels assured, and the steering is well judged - not too heavy around town, not too light out of it.

While diesel is out of fashion at the moment, we reckon the Mercedes-Benz GLB’s at its best with a diesel engine. The entry-level diesel is the 200d, and this’ll be sufficient for most. It’s a 2.0-litre engine with 150PS, which accelerates the GLB to 62mph in 9.2 seconds.


If you’d like a bit more power, the Mercedes-Benz GLB 220d is the same 2.0-litre diesel packing 190PS and covers 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds. This feels pretty quick and well up the job of hauling seven passengers along in comfort, and it comes with 4Matic four-wheel drive as standard.


For those who cover mainly urban miles, you’d be better with the front-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 petrol. It uses a 1.3-litre petrol which, although it sounds small, provides a useful 163PS. It does need working harder than the diesel to make progress, but it’ll cover 0-62mph in 9.3 seconds. Its seven-speed automatic gearbox lets it down slightly, though - it hesitates more than the eight-speed transmission used in the rest of the range.


If you want a petrol with a bit more oomph, look for the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35. This is quite pricey (and you’ll want to take out a loyalty card for your local petrol station), but it’s a lot of fun. It’ll accelerate to 62mph in 5.5 seconds which is hot-hatch quick, and has a great soundtrack to boot. 

Thanks to the hush of the well-built cabin and the smooth engines, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is kind to its occupants. The Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 model, being the smallest petrol offering, needs to be worked a bit harder to make decent progress and so makes itself heard a little more than the alternatives.


Wind noise is well contained even at higher speeds, and road noise is rarely an issue either, although models that wear the largest wheels and tyres do suffer from this a little more.

EuroNCAP tested the Mercedes-Benz GLB in 2019 and gave it the full five star rating, just as you'd expect from a recently-launched Mercedes.


The safety kit provision is pretty generous from standard, with features such as Attention Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Speed Limit Assist. Go for a Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line Premium model and you get Active Parking Assist too, then there's the Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line Premium Plus with Driving Assistance which adds Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Distance Assist, Active Steering Assist and an exit warning function.

MPG and fuel costs: What does a Mercedes-Benz GLB cost to run?

"If you cover lots of miles and want a frugal Mercedes-Benz GLB, look for one of the diesels. The GLB 200d is the most efficient, returning up to 50.4mpg in official fuel economy tests. This drops to 47.1mpg with 4Matic all-wheel drive for GLB 220d."

Mercedes-Benz GLB Review 2024: exterior front three quarter photo of the Mercedes-Benz GLB on the road

For mainly urban drivers, we’d recommend the Mercedes-Benz GLB 200. This is pretty economical, returning up to 40.4mpg. And if you want the performance of the GLB 35 AMG, you’ll pay for it at the pumps - expect to see up to 31.0mpg.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB has no noteworthy reliability issues reported so far. Mercedes-Benz as a brand performed well enough in the HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index, coming 20th overall with a score of 87.5%.


Because it shares the infotainment set up with the A-Class, it's worth noting that a small number of issues have been reported with the function of the twin screen system.

The basic Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 falls into insurance group 25, with the higher-spec versions and 200d models falling into groups 25 and 26.


Move up to the Mercedes-Benz GLB 220d 4MATIC models and you'll be in groups 30 to 35, while the top spec GLB 35 is in group 38.

Engine choice and list price makes a big difference to the VED cost. You’ll pay a flat rate of £190 a year in VED car tax, but pricier models are subject to an extra £410 a year in premium tax. This lasts for the first five years (after the first year’s registration fee). It applies to all models with a list price of more than £40,000 - so even if you paid less than this, you may have to fork out each month.

For first-year road tax, you'll pay between £270 and £680 depending on the exact model, plus that £410 surcharge on cars costing more than £40,000.

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is now on the used market in reasonable numbers, though used demand means prices are higher than for some of its rivals.


At present the cheapest Mercedes-Benz GLBs on the market are around £25,000. We found several 2020 examples, with 50,0000 miles on the clock for this sort of money. Younger 2022 examples with fewer miles are closer to £31,000, and we also found a nearly newMercedes-Benz GLB 200 AMG Line Premium with just 1500 miles on it for £37,000, which is a great price for what is essentially a new car and saves you almost £7000 on the list price.

Trim levels and standard equipment

"The Mercedes-Benz GLB Sport Executive is the start of the range. Buy one of these and you’re unlikely to feel like you’ve missed out. Highlights include 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats (in part-Artico leather), a reversing camera and two seven-inch digital displays (one the touchscreen infotainment system, the other a digital instrument display)."

Mercedes-Benz GLB Review 2024: exterior side profile photo of the Mercedes-Benz GLB

The Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line Executive looks a bit fancier, with its 19-inch AMG alloy wheels, various bodywork flourishes and privacy glass. Inside, the part-(faux) leather seats now get contrasting red stitching, and there’s some fancy carbon-effect trim. The steering wheel is finished in Nappa leather with galvanised gearshift paddles, while you get stainless steel pedals and wirless phone charging. There’s also an armrest fitted in the rear, and hands-free opening for the powered tailgate.


Above the AMG Line is the Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line Premium. This comes with a premium sound system, blind spot assist, and uprated climate control.


As its name suggests, the Mercedes-Benz GLB AMG Line Premium Plus comes with the Driving Assistance package. This includes features like Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Braking Assist, Active Distance Assist, Active Steering Assist and the exit warning function. Basically, it can do pretty much anything but drive the car for you.


Other features of the AMG Line Premium Plus (yes, that’s its full name) include multibeam LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front memory seats with lumbar support, and 20-inch wheels.


Topping the range is the sporty Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Premium Plus. The exterior features 20-inch AMG alloy wheels painted in matt black, AMG Night package, multibeam LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist and a panoramic sunroof. The interior is defined by sport seats in leather, and an AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather as well as AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs. Keyless start, the Driving Assistance package and the MBUX multimedia system all come as standard. It also has the Burmster sound system, as well as AMG Ride Control suspension.


Ask the heycar experts: common questions

We'd say yes - there are plenty of premium compact SUVs to choose from but not many with seven seats. The Mercedes-Benz GLB's specification is good and it should prove cheap to run, and with that Mercedes-Benz badge on the nose we wouldn't blame you for feeling a little smug if you buy one.
Mercedes-Benz doesn't really make cars that aren't luxurious, so you'd have to say yes. The Mercedes-Benz GLB's build quality is strong and there are plenty of luxurious features, so you won't feel short-changed if you want something with a premium feel.
As the name might suggest, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is smaller than the Mercedes-Benz GLC - but not by much. The GLB checks in at 4.6m long and 1.8m wide, while the GLC is just 24mm longer and 90mm wider. Probably of greater importance is that the GLB offers seven seats despite being smaller, which may make it a more desirable choice.

Mercedes-Benz GLB Alternatives