untitled design

A really practical model or a complete overpayment? Drove 890 km in a Mercedes-Benz GLB (2021)

I think I will not be mistaken if I say that there are a number of automobile companies in Russia whose technology is treated with special reverence. Mercedes-Benz is undoubtedly one of those. The fact that during crises in our country their sales do not just fall, but sometimes grow, once again proves this.

It was all the more interesting to get acquainted with the crossover from the masters from Stuttgart. Meet Mercedes-Benz GLB. It was built on the basis of the A-class, only 10 centimeters longer and, in general, the manufacturer focused on the most practical use of the internal space.

Specifications

  • Engine: in-line, 4 cylinders, 2 liters, diesel.
  • Power: 190 hp sec., 400 Nm.
  • Transmission: eight-speed robot.
  • Drive: full, 4Matic.
  • Average fuel consumption during the test drive: 7.7 liters per 100 km.
  • Traveled: 890 km.

In statics

A bit quirky, but really practical

At the first full-time acquaintance, one marvels at his non-standard appearance. That is, how, he is generally calm and restrained, even in this AMG body kit, but still very meek. And visually as if pressed to the ground. Especially this effect is added by the line of the window of the second row of doors. It seems to rise towards the end, but it is almost three-quarters even. I was reminded of the Opel Crossland, which also does not look like all crossovers and tries to make the most of all the interior space.

It is definitely more pleasant to me from the front than from the back, and in general, it looks a little heavy. Maybe it’s also the red color, which “eats” part of the body lines? In any case, it looks extraordinary and exactly what is practical.

I will not once again paint everything in super detail. I’ll tell you about the finds, what was missing and what made an impression.

One of the main wow-effects that will happen to you when you sit in it for the first time is dashboard decoration. Especially if you are not familiar with modern Mercedes. There are two screens in a common block that set the tone for everything in the cabin. It is definitely a hi-tech style, complete with five air vents that also dominate the design. All this is flavored with unpolished aluminum inserts and carbon-look lacquered inserts. Don’t forget the many lighting zones with custom color and intensity options. Get one hundred percent hi-tech, also with “neon”.

Is it cozy in it? Here’s a good question. The interior in my configuration is black, and it goes well with the above. Yes, it is more strict in mood than “warm-tube”. I personally turned on a soft orange backlight to soften the sensation. How do you like this style in general? Write in the comments.

I can’t help but praise the interfaces. First of all, there are two control units for the screens on the steering wheel. The left one is responsible for digital tidying, the right one is for multimedia. Both have similar buttons and touch panel. You can grumble about the touch panel, but no. Well done. No accidental touching, tactilely understandable and you can work blindly. Which is extremely important when you are on the go.

In fact, you can control multimedia in two other ways. It is banal with your finger on the screen, or using the touch-panel in the center. It is also clear and easy to use. Also with a felt return, thanks to the vibration motor.

By the way, there is no gearbox control interface on the center console. It is at Mercedes-Benz on the steering column lever on the right. Suddenly you didn’t know. Yes, all other functions are on the left stick. It is not very convenient, due to its congestion, but you can get used to it. And also, having parked, you can simply press the “Start / Stop Engine” button, and the car will switch the gearbox to P mode and turn on the handbrake. As if you turned off your smartphone and go on.

I also note that climate control is on physical buttons, this is a plus. But the steering wheel heating is very necessary in winter, I have tested it myself. Take the money, take this option.

If we talk about the menu, then everything is beautiful, clear and understandable. Going into details, I risk writing an instruction, so I will say that everything is logically grouped and works smartly. But, suddenly, not the best translation into Russian. Yes, support for Android Auto and CarPlay is available. And the car also recognizes Russian speech well at the command “Hey, Mercedes”, however, the voice is painfully synthesized.

Praise, let’s scold. The main thing is a lot of gloss. And take the heated steering wheel, yeah. And just one USB Type-C connector in front of the dashboard (the second in the armrest).

Since the GLB is positioned as a practical car, it is impossible not to talk about the second and third (!) Rows. On the second floor it is spacious, there is no claustrophobic effect, thanks to the unusual line of the window. There is ventilation, but there is no heated seats. The latter, by the way, are adjustable forward / backward, as well as the backrest tilt. Overhead seats with a margin. The panoramic roof is an option, so you can pamper yourself and your passengers! In the center, of course, there is an armrest with cup holders. And the chairs are folded in the proportion of 40-20-40.

And now the most interesting thing is the third row. Yes, it folds into the trunk, yes, they climb on it through the second row (left and right). Mercedes declares that the comfortable height of the third-row passenger is up to 168 cm, but I, with my 173 centimeters, felt good too. If the trip is a couple of hours expensive, there won’t be much discomfort. And also, all of a sudden, from the third row it is easy to communicate with those who are in the first. Wonders of the acoustics of the body tapering back?

Expanding the third row, you, naturally, will lose the lion’s share of the trunk. Backpacks will fit, and then vertically. But if you remove the third row, you get a trunk of an enviable volume of 565 liters (1800 with all the seats folded). By the way, a curtain is hidden in a small subfield. And the passengers in the third row have their own USB Type-C connectors.

Well, I can’t help but draw your attention to the graphics of the digital tidy. Just see the photo!

What are the final impressions? The original, in the good sense of the word, the interior clearly will not leave you indifferent. In general, there is not much to complain about here. Yes, I would like the stove to heat faster and stronger, perhaps more connectors for charging gadgets (the car is a family one). And so the cabin is moderately spacious, given the size of the car. GLB generally stands as if a little apart in the GL-line at Mercedes, with a clear emphasis on the practicality of every nook inside. I also note that there is a version of the white interior and it has a completely different mood. In general, you feel like a person who has bought an extremely practical thing.

Gallery of various details of the interior decoration.

Let’s hit the road

GLB puts you in a calm mood

It’s time to get into the driver’s seat and hit the road. The first thing that pleases me when landing is the abundance of settings. The driver and passenger in front have a complete set. By the way, the buttons are located not on the base of the chair, but right on the door, and are also illuminated. I know that Mercedes-Benz has had this for a long time, but at first I stumbled into this block, getting out of the car, expecting to feel the door handle there.

I also note the excellent grip of the slightly unusually plump steering wheel. I have already mentioned its excellent ergonomics. Let me remind you once again that you will need to get used to the gearshift knob on the right lever, but then you will forget about it altogether, as if it was always there in cars.

I have a diesel version on the test, and its 400 Nm instills confidence in any maneuvers. In the presence, by the way, a sport mode, which allows the engine and other units to open up to the fullest. True, there was snow all around the street and I didn’t want to risk a car with Velcro once again. One thing I can say for sure, there is excitement in it, but still it is tailored for the comfortable movement of passengers and the driver to their destination. So I mostly use it in Eco mode when it’s calm and accommodating. By the way, if the steering wheel seems a little empty in Eco, there is a mode of operation with settings for yourself. It is possible to combine the eco-mode of the engine with the “sport” power steering.

There is complete order with comfort. This is especially well confirmed in New Year’s Eve traffic jams, which fell on a test drive. Silence, calmness, soft warm lighting and excellent sounding acoustics. To complete the picture, the only thing missing was the adaptive cruise, which is available as a separate option.

And once again I note that you can communicate in the salon without much raising your voice, even on the second and third rows. On the latter, perhaps, a little more noisy due to the trunk lid.

Review

Family practical people just right

Let’s disregard the idea of ​​cost, after all, Mercedes-Benz is a premium brand, and no one has promised low prices here. Yes, competitors, especially from Asian countries, are ready to offer much more for less money, but this is obvious. And yet, if you love Mercy, but want a very practical family car that will also delight you with low consumption, then this is a cool option.

If you have a large family and the third row is relevant for you, it is worth buying a roof rack, so everyone will be comfortable in the cabin and luggage will fit. Yes, there is not much entertainment in the second row, this is for you for the older models of the brand.

The main thing is to get a heated steering wheel and diesel if you travel a lot. On one tank on highways and without traffic jams in large cities, you can safely drive more than a thousand kilometers, which is very important for Russia. Don’t forget the panoramic roof, the test car didn’t have one, but it’s available as an option.

In general, this is a very common family crossover. No flirting with off-road, with a catchy interior and restrained appearance. The choice, as always, is yours.

Pros:

  • convenient interfaces for interacting with screens;
  • excellent screens of digital gadgets and multimedia;
  • stylish interior;
  • low consumption of the diesel engine option;
  • interior transformation.

Minuses:

  • there is a lot of gloss, you need to follow it;
  • not enough USB ports for a family car.

You may also like

NZD/USD falls on dovish RBNZ stance
Markets
Joshua

NZD/USD falls on dovish RBNZ stance

RBNZ Governor Orr was dovish, which seems to put pressure on the New Zealand Dollar. GDP and initial jobless claims

Get the latest

Stay Informed: Get the Latest Updates and Insights

 

Most popular