March 28, 2024

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2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Review | Car Reviews

Auto123 testimonials the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35.

When I initial drove the Mercedes-Benz GLB in GLB 250 variety, I was amazed with Mercedes’ most current entry into the modest crossover sector.

I liked its boxy styling that reminds of a Scion xB — basically a great issue even if you’re talking about a Mercedes – and its remarkably roomy interior, not to mention the pure hilarity that there was basically a 3-row choice. A 3-row luxurious subcompact crossover? Who’s to say the Germans don’t have a perception of humour?

The one particular issue I felt was lacking was a small additional range when it came to trim decision. All we had to pick from in Canada was the GLB 250, this though the GLB’s GLC sibling was obtainable as a GLC three hundred, 43 or sixty three S and as both a 4-doorway-coupe or wagon. I had a large amount of enjoyment in the GLB 250, but what if it had just a small additional electricity? Now that would be something…

Properly, check with and you shall get. It was not prolonged right after I drove the GLB late last year that the automaker came out with the GLB 35 AMG. It has additional electricity, some really awesome styling touches and some chassis tuning as very well. Could this be the ideal components?

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, interior

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, interior

Within
Properly, sitting down in the GLB 35 you get the similar feeling you did in the 250. Which means that even even though the seats are a bit additional aggressive in structure, you still get a good deal of headroom and a wonderful see out forwards, rearwards and about the shoulders – large facet windows will do that. But now there’s this wonderful, chunky leather-trimmed steering wheel in your hands, comprehensive with two AMG-particular travel mode and chassis/powertrain adjustment control pads attached to it at the 4- and 7 o’clock positions.

Of study course, you also get that wonderful completely digitized dash that can make use of crisp flatscreen shows for your infotainment and gauge cluster, as very well as a principal trackpad and small thumb pads on the still left and correct wheel spokes (optional) to control it all. I created small use of the latter when I sampled them for the initial time in a Mercedes, but now that I have used time with them in a handful of designs, I use them practically completely.

The still left-hand pad aids you navigate the gauge cluster (which can be improved to 3 diverse models) and heads-up display screen, though the correct-hand pad moves you by means of the menus on the infotainment display screen. Which, as it takes place, receives its very own set of “themes” that perform generally impartial of the gauge cluster and will basically improve the ambient lighting, immediately flip on your tunes (that takes place in the “Lounge” setting) or immediately display screen your AMG general performance details.

This is one particular heck of a slick interior that does very well to supply on the luxurious promised by the badge on the snout.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, profile

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, profile

Exterior
Talking of the GLB’s snout: if that large logo and grille – as very well as the headlamps both facet of it – reminds you of a little something, it’s probably the more substantial GLS. Which can make perception when you consider the rest of the GLB’s detailing and shape, as it all displays its more substantial sibling. The GLB is to the GLS as the GLC is to the GLE.

And you know what? I appreciate it. It has that wonderful profile, a awesome stance and the fancy wheels, large front splitter, “Denim” blue paintwork, rear diffuser and twin potato cannon-design and style exhaust and it all will come collectively to variety what is one particular of the coolest-hunting Mercedes products and solutions we’ve a short while ago noticed, this facet of the sporting activities automobiles and roadsters.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, second row of seats

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, 2nd row of seats

Again inside of
The model’s proportions are correct on and improved than that, it contributes to offering an interior that is considerably roomier than the compact styling suggests. Specifically in conditions of headroom the two front and rear, which, even with the large sunroof it has, is generous sufficient even for taller folks…wearing cowboy hats. It is that great.

There are a number of sacrifices that had to be created, even though the rear seats are really flat – that can make it less complicated to fold the seatbacks – and that structure implies that they aren’t that supportive. Rear-seat travellers will slide to and fro by means of the turns, and you feel considerably additional like you’re sitting down atop the seats as a substitute of in just them.

Talking of the 3rd row: very well, my tester didn’t have one particular so I cannot remark, but taking into consideration the GLB’s footprint, I wouldn’t hope a massive volume of home and I’d probably favor to save the $1,three hundred demanded to in good shape it, primarily taking into consideration you’re tough-pressed to get a GLB 35 for considerably less than sixty grand out the doorway. Not to mention that when the 3rd row is up, the home still left to pack things in the again is possible no bigger than a shelf’s width. Which type of sabotages the other energy of the GLB’s interior, and that is its cargo space which actions up to 1,680 litres if you fold the 2nd row of seating. It is all obtainable through a tailgate that opens so superior that me and my 6’3” frame could get beneath without hardly acquiring to duck.

In addition to the price tag, of study course, the 3rd row basically isn’t in holding with what this AMG 35 variation is all about. This is in essence a superior-general performance sizzling hatchback with airs that remind me additional of a Volkswagen Golf R than a luxurious crossover. That implies I’m probably not likely to pressure far too considerably if I cannot transfer 7 persons on the frequent.

Certainly, I’d considerably additional favor to know that when it will come time to strike my favorite bendy b-road, the GLB 35 is up for it. And boy, is it at any time.

Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 2021, avant

Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 2021, avant

Electric power from the turbo 4-cylinder is rated at 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is up from 221 hp and 259 ft-lb on the GLB 250.

It feels a full large amount quicker than the quantities counsel, even though. Peak torque comes at three,000 RPM and peak horsepower a pair of grand right after that, which implies the 8-velocity twin clutch transmission has no issue channeling all that electricity and sending it to the sticky Continental SportContact 6 tires (measuring a body fat 255 mm at the again).

Then, it’s just make any difference of keeping on as the GLB 35 races forth with gumption and a ferocity that you don’t get from that quite a few modest crossovers. In truth, even the V8-run GLC sixty three – though more rapidly, certainly – does not feel very as nervy, simply because it’s heavier than this. This turbo 4-cylinder is a wonderful match for the GLB.

Of study course, the GLB’s lighter excess weight implies that its frame of mind by means of turns is really great as very well, primarily if you regulate the damper configurations. That can be finished a variety of ways — my favored method was to make use of the wheel-mounted controls – and when set to the aggressive Activity setting, system roll is saved nicely in-look at and the GLB moves by means of the turns just as very well as it does beneath quick acceleration.

You get really small inertia and really small delay in reaction from driver inputs as a substitute you get a full large amount of enjoyment. A full large amount of sound, far too, simply because individuals large tailpipes aren’t just for exhibit. They emit a thoroughly authoritative report that plays very well with the to some degree hooligan-like seems to be.

Just one genuine litmus check for a motor vehicle is how tough it is to give it again at the close of a 7 days of testing-driving it Below, permit me inform you, it was tough – probably even tougher than it’d been for other additional costly automobiles I have tested about the a long time. Although I had questioned for it right after driving the 250, I don’t imagine I could have predicted just how considerably great the AMG treatment method would do the GLB. It is a stunner this. A stunner in truth.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, rear

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, rear

We like

Perfect powertrain for the application
Awesome seems to be
Terrific interior space
    
We like less

Not affordable
Again seats could use additional assistance
No wireless smartphone integration
    
The competition

Audi SQ5
BMW X3 M40i

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, badging

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, badging

Industry experts

Individuals

2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 photographs