The model we are revewing today is the Mercedes GLB350 4MATIC, which is the fastest and most Capable version of the current lineup. GLB embraces the box-shaped and rugged appearance since its introduction, and the latest generation sticks to the same formula. The Mercedes GLB350 4MATIC rear brings the most significant visual changes, while the Mercedes has a clean appearance and improved aerodynamics, but with flush-fitting door handles that can cause minor inconveniences in everyday use. When you open the door at night, an obscenely large Mercedes logo is projected on the ground below.The cabin is undoubtedly the most loved area of the Mercedes GLB. The steering wheel is shared with several other models of the Mercedes line-up and is quickly becoming easier to use.
The same design is also found in fairly expensive cars, so it helps give the GLB a more premium feel from behind the wheel. A small camera placed on top allows for zoom and team meetings while on the move. Optional passenger display completes the digital experience, allowing the passenger seat to watch movies and other video content without disturbing the driver. Unfortunately, the material and build quality of the dashboard itself is significantly lower than the rest of the GLB's cabin. Given its prominent position and how often the occupants interact with it, this is a particularly disappointing weak center console in an otherwise well-executed interior, as well as a column of buttons for controlling frequently used functions such as drive mode, camera system, hazard lights, etc.
It starts with a deep wireless charging pad for the front seat and is a thick part between the front seat. 2 large cup holders take up most of the rest of the space, but underneath it is a large storage area and 2 USB-C charging ports. Our test car came with a synthetic selection that could not be impressed with the quality, while upgrading to real leather comes at a considerable premium. Those who are less interested in appearance see standard cloth seating as a sensible alternative, offering good comfort, durability and improved breathability during warm weather. One choice we strongly recommend is a switchable panoramic glass roof. Every GLB comes with a fixed glass roof as standard, but you can choose an upgraded version that can alternate between transparent and opaque.
Our cars lacked this, and the lack of effective shading became especially noticeable when driving in hot summer conditions. The 2nd row of the Mercedes GLB is impressive both in space and versatility. The seat can be adjusted to help passengers find a comfortable seat position, while the backrest can also be adjusted, providing many trips forward and backward. Legroom is naturally limited, and while long trips are uncomfortable for tall adults, short trips around town remain completely manageable. The occupants of the third row will also receive their cup holders and armrests, indicating that Mercedes is not purely usable and simply treats the additional seats as an occasional backup solution.
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Passengers need to pack lightly, but the small compartment under the floor of the main trunk will add some additional space for small items Once the third row is folded, the cargo capacity will expand to 480l, and the five-seat version offers 540l as standard. The resulting flat load floor makes the space easier to use and makes it easier to load larger or heavier items. Folding all the rear seats increases the capacity further to 1,605l, or 5-seat variations to 1,715L. Combined with GLB box-shaped proportions, this creates a highly usable cargo area that can comfortably accommodate bulky objects. A great addition is the 127 l frunk, which provides a substantial amount of additional storage.
This is especially valuable when all 7 seats are occupied and helps to make up for the limited space available at the rear. Compact Suvs rarely offer the most attractive experience behind the wheel, but the Mercedes GLB350 4matic, can rise beyond the usual mediocrity of the segment and remains comfortable on uneven surfaces while keeping the body roll relatively low through the corners. Combined with an active electric motor that produces more than 350 horsepower and an AWD system, the GLB350 4matic offers an amazingly agile driving experience in segments where driving dynamics tend to be overlooked. Despite lacking rear wheel steering, the GLB offers a nicely tight turning radius.
This is particularly good, as the compact SUV is primarily designed for use in cities where tight turns and limited space are part of everyday driving, and all its different driving modes change how the GLB350 4matic drives and responds. The sport is direct and the car feels enthusiastic, but the comfort and eco are more relaxed and suitable for long journeys. For off-road enthusiasts, besides terrain mode, the GLB offers a wide variety of displays to help you when navigating the harsher terrain. The AWD system guarantees traction and the undercarriage camera ensures that hidden obstacles that are no longer visible can be cleared. The downhill of the hill makes sure the slopes don't prove too steep.
Self parking is a neat feature that can be helpful in tight situations or when you simply can't pay attention to parking. GLB's system allows you to draw your own parking spot, choose a place to park, and draw a fictitious GLB on the selected one. When using the system, it is recommended to pay more attention to the system and never rely solely on its functionality. The Mercedes GLB is packed with the brand's latest technology and feels completely modern overall. One of the standout features, especially in the compact segment, is the optional passenger display. It can mirror the apps available on the central screen and can be used to browse the Internet, watch videos, play games or access the dashboard camera for photo and video calls.
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To prevent distractions, the display automatically obscures its contents when the driver sees it while the vehicle is moving. The Digital Instrument Cluster is less customizable than previous Mercedes models and offers only a handful of layouts with graphics that have barely changed in different drive modes. Even more impressive is the integration with apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allows navigation maps to be mirrored directly into instrument clusters. The main menu itself is simple and uses a large icon that can be easily identified at a glance. The built-in Internet connection also allows access to supported online services directly through web browsing and infotainment systems. Our test vehicle came with an overwhelming proven standard audio system.
We strongly recommend upgrading to the optional Burmester system for a more immersive listening experience. The Mercedes GLB is not the best insulated car on the market when driving. Due to its boxy shape and large surface area, a lot of wind noise enters the cabin. Thankfully, as the speed goes on, there are no ambient sounds that dramatically disturb the inner peace, which is definitely even more important on a long journey. The acceleration from 0km/h to 100km/h takes 5.05 seconds, half a second faster than the Mercedes state. It is a very solid result for a car of this caliber and breathes confidence to the driver. Further acceleration when overtaking also feels powerful, and you will never want more power. As for the brakes, the GLB350 4MATIC stops completely from 36km/h at just 118m (1") at 100km/h.
This is a commendable result for the size and especially weight of the GLB, and even more impressive is that this result was replicated with 3 consecutive stops. Mercedes has made the GLB350 4matic tremendously efficient for what it is. AWD more than two tons of weight and boxy design usually makes a compromise range, but that's definitely not the case with GLB. The battery pack is also on the larger side of the GLB350 4matic at 85kWh, which results in a great range result. GLB's 800V architecture allows impressive fast charging, with a peak rate of 320kW and a charging time of 22-10% of 80 minutes, it competes very well with rivals of similar size and also fights against much larger competitors who have a much larger battery pack. Our tests showed slightly worse results in the real world, but there was nothing to worry about or major.
Mercedes once sold cars with the slogan "best or nothing", but its philosophy fits surprisingly well into the new GLB350 4matic. It has a very clear purpose, performs it brilliantly and squeezes an impressive amount of passenger space into a relatively compact footprint. Many modern cars are trying to become the jack of all trades and the master of whom, but GLB knows exactly what it wants to be. Even better, it is above average in almost all other regions. Its rugged appearance is definitely not for show either, as the GLB can handle some light off road duty when needed. Even more surprising, the driving experience is significantly better than the demands of this segment.
The steering, suspension and overall refinement feel like a more expensive and sophisticated car than its compact dimensions might suggest, while the cabin is packed with technology and multiple displays add a lot of features, some of the material and build quality of the dashboard is the same as the Mercedes badge. There are things that do not fall short of what is expected to happen. Everyday ease of use has some quirks, such as the lack of a conventional parking position in the gear selector.Our overall impression of the Mercedes GLB350 4MATIC is that it is an excellent sleigh for large families who can not live with a huge suv or simply do not want to live, especially the 3-row version occupies a niche where there is little direct electrical competition and solves the problem that some manufacturers are trying to address.
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