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    2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB250 review: Fitting in and standing out

    The GLB250 appears to be like correctly sporty with its AMG Line styling choice.
    Steven Ewing/Roadshow
    Launching a brand new SUV as of late can usually really feel like splitting hairs. You may not have seen a lot white area between the subcompact Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and the marginally larger-but-still-compact GLC-Class, but that is precisely the place this new GLB-Class SUV intends to exist. But reasonably than merely being a tweener, a type of half-step between the GLA and GLC, the GLB has plenty of attributes that assist it stand out. In reality, given the selection between all three, the GLB is the one I’d wish to park in my storage.

    LikeBoxy type is cute and functionalLots of head- and legroomMBUX infotainment tech is strong

    Don’t LikeSeven-seat choice appears unnecessaryFuel financial system is not niceGets costly if you pile on the choices

    Part of what helps the GLB stand out is its design. You can actually see components of Mercedes’ different new SUVs right here, particularly within the decrease entrance fascia and the form of the taillights. But as an alternative of wanting like a hodge-podge of the GLA and GLC — or, god forbid, one other freaking coupe-over — the GLB truly type of resembles Mercedes’ older GLK-Class. It’s boxy in all the suitable methods.I additionally like how one can change the GLB’s aesthetic relying on which choices you select. Stick with a smaller set of 18-inch wheels and the usual styling, and the GLB is a rugged little cute-ute. Go for 20-inch wheels and decide the AMG Line exterior just like the automotive you see right here, and the GLB virtually appears to be like like a grown-up scorching hatch.

    Dimensionally talking, the GLB and GLC are extraordinarily related. The GLC is a little bit bit longer and a little bit bit wider, however the GLB is taller. It may not shock you to study that the GLB’s squared-off edges permit for barely extra headroom and cargo area than the GLC, however apparently, it affords extra entrance and rear legroom, too. Of course, that is if you happen to spec the GLB in its commonplace, five-passenger configuration. Yes, you will get the GLB with a 3rd row of seats — an $850 upcharge — however I would not advocate it. I’ve appeared on the cargo space of my five-seat check automotive from each angle and I simply cannot think about cramming a 3rd row in there, particularly since it’s going to impede on second-row legroom and cargo capability. If you are planning to schlep a sizeable brood on the common, you most likely want a bigger car. Increased headroom apart, the GLB’s upright windshield, excessive seating place and low beltline do lots to drive residence the general feeling of spaciousness. You can see all the best way down the regularly sloping hood, and the comparatively skinny A-pillars do not harm sight strains an excessive amount of. Taller of us will not have points getting comfy up entrance or in again. Get the $1,500 panoramic sunroof for optimum wide-open impact.

    A pair of 10.25-inch screens run Mercedes’ wonderful MBUX infotainment tech.
    Steven Ewing/Roadshow
    The GLB’s large, two-screen infotainment setup sits under the bottom of the windshield, including to that nice outward visibility. A pair of 7-inch screens are commonplace, however the $2,250 Premium Package pumps these as much as 10.25-inch shows, with crisp graphics and vivid colours, and reconfigurable layouts and designs. This is similar MBUX multimedia interface you may discover in Mercedes’ different new vehicles; the screens will be operated by contact, thumbpads on the steering wheel, a trackpad on the middle console or by way of the corporate’s natural-speech voice instructions.

    MBUX will get a thumbs-up for its commonplace inclusion of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a wi-fi hotspot, to not point out the super-cool augmented actuality overlays that show on the forward-facing digital camera if you’re in an lively navigation route. On the opposite hand, I nonetheless discover the voice-activated digital assistant to be a little bit finicky. Sure, I can say, “Hey, Mercedes, I’m cold,” and the automotive will mechanically crank up the warmth. But if I’m having a dialog with a passenger and I a lot as point out the phrase “Mercedes,” the system pipes up with, “How can I help you?” (Is there such a factor as AI tech being too useful?)The driver-assistance know-how loadout can be spectacular, although you need to pay to play. Mercedes’ consideration help and brake help are commonplace, as is the federally mandated backup digital camera, however each different driving assist is unfortunately locked behind the paywall. The $2,250 Driver Assistance Package will get you many of the stuff you actually need, together with adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change help, route-based velocity adaptation and extra. An extra $1,090 Parking Assistance Package tacks on a surround-view digital camera and an lively parking assist. All of those techniques work as marketed, and properly combine into the behind-the-wheel expertise. The lane-keeping system does not ping-pong you between white strains, and the adaptive cruise management easily raises and lowers the automotive’s velocity.Everything concerning the GLB’s on-road vibe is fairly easygoing. The chassis is properly tuned to filter out harsh bumps within the highway — even on these large, 20-inch wheels — however interprets simply sufficient suggestions to the motive force to let you realize what’s occurring at highway degree. The steering is mild, however fast to reply. You can swap between Comfort, Sport and Eco driving modes, although apart from some altered transmission shift factors, I can not actually really feel a lot of a distinction. There’s an Individual setting, too, however you need to manually choose it every time you begin the automotive. (This annoyance is not distinctive to the GLB, by the best way. Why let me create my very own setting however then power me to toggle the Drive Select dial up from Comfort to Sport to Individual each single time?)
    Mercedes-Benz solely affords its new SUV in GLB250 guise for now. Front-wheel drive is commonplace, however 4Matic all-wheel drive is on the market for $2,000. Get 4Matic and also you additionally get an Off-Road drive setting, which reduces throttle response and retains the anti-lock brakes from intervening too shortly. Hill-descent management is on the market, too, however let’s be trustworthy: the GLB250 is as a lot an off-roader as it’s a seven-seater.Under the hood, the GLB employs a 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, good for 221 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That’s not a ton of energy — Mercedes-Benz estimates a 0-to-60-mph time of about 7 seconds — nevertheless it’s sufficient for zipping by way of the town and passing Priuses on the freeway. The eight-speed, dual-clutch automated transmission shifts shortly, however extra importantly, easily. As for gas financial system, the GLB is about on half with different subcompact SUVs. Regardless of drive configuration, you are taking a look at an EPA-estimated 26 miles per gallon mixed. Interestingly, the all-wheel-drive model is 1-mpg extra environment friendly on the freeway cycle, at 31 mpg in comparison with the FWD’s 30 mpg. Even so, throughout combined driving, I are inclined to see numbers nearer to the GLB’s 23-mpg metropolis score.It’s price noting that the equally sized — and costlier — GLC is objectively the higher performer. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine makes 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and it will speed up to 60 mph in a faster 6.1 seconds. Yes, the GLB250 is a little bit pokey by comparability, although it is each bit as quiet and refined as its greater brother. Besides, if you happen to want extra oomph, there’s all the time the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GLB35.The GLB250 is arguably probably the most compelling of Mercedes’ compact SUVs.
    Steven Ewing/Roadshow
    On the opposite aspect of the spectrum, the smaller GLA-Class affords a less-expensive various, although if you are going to go that route, at the least look forward to the vastly improved new model to go on sale. Still, I believe the GLB is the suitable measurement with the suitable options on the proper value. Whether you are evaluating it to the GLA or GLC, the GLB250 affords the identical luxurious and tech with extra inside area and, frankly, extra character.At $37,595, the GLB250 undercuts the bottom value of a GLC300 by $5,900. But like all fashionable Mercedes, the value climbs shortly from there. Go wild with the upgrades and you’ll spec a GLB250 4Matic as much as roughly $60,000. Exercise a little bit restraint, nevertheless, and you’ll drive away in a modestly optioned model like my check automotive for round $47,000. That’s actually not chump change, nevertheless it’s a neater tablet to swallow than a equally outfitted GLC300. A BMW X1 prices about the identical, too, and the Bimmer is not almost as spacious — or as enticing.What I like greatest concerning the GLB-Class is that it does not simply break up the distinction between the GLA and GLC. Trying to wedge itself between these two autos might’ve resulted in a mediocre half-step — not totally different sufficient from the GLA to warrant a value hike, however too compromised to be a compelling various to a GLC. Instead, the GLB can proudly stand by itself, with type and substance in spades.

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