If you like family weekend excursions and you also need a daily driver that does not make you feel like a bus driver, then it might be worth eight minutes of your time to read a test drive review of a completely brand-new Mercedes-Benz.
This compact seven-seat SUV from Mercedes is now in Malaysia, competing with the Peugeot 5008 and the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Yes, one is French and the other Korean and while both are much lower priced than the Mercedes, do remember that in Malaysia car taxes are not level for all vehicles and their formats.
Local assembled vehicles pay lower duties while imported vehicles pay higher duties. So, in a fair playing field, all three vehicles are sitting equally.
While the three-pointed star gets added respect, the GLB 250 and its sibling the GLB 200 are not really luxury appointed vehicles – they cater more for middle class buyers looking to climb the social ladder.
Size
Sitting by itself you would think this is a big vehicle, but it’s not. At 1,658 mm high, 1,834 mm wide and 4,634 mm long, it’s smaller than the Mercedes GLC and about the same size as a Subaru Forester.
Looks
Mercedes’s intentions are made clear as soon as you lay eyes on it. Bold sharp-edged styling replaces the softer styling of its other SUVs.
The front end of this Benz makes many rivals look staid, successfully translating Mercedes’s design themes for future SUVs.
The sculpted arches are a strong feature together with the rather tall rear end.
Interior
The interior is reminiscent of every other new Mercedes SUV. It is spacious, practical and comfortable with added visual attraction with its tablet like screens taking up almost 70% of the dashboard length.
The rivals lack its interior flair and therefore they are a little bland when compared.
Many buyers in this region like flamboyant interiors as is seen with many other vehicles and this is a big selling feature at the showroom level.
Other features
Getting in the GLB is easy as the ride height is not as high as normal SUVs – it’s more like a high-riding sedan.
Drivers who prefer a taller seating position will appreciate the ease to use (controls are on the door) electric powered front seats which offer a more commanding view of the surrounding environment.
There is leather upholstery, keyless entry and ignition, a premium sound system, navigation system, rain-sensing wipers and a powered tailgate.
Inside, the GLB 200 gets the MBUX with two 260.35 mm displays as standard, along with Mercedes me support, Android Auto, Apple Carplay.
This entry level GLB also comes equipped with comfort seats, velour floor mats and black Artico leather upholstery.
Other standard features include:
- Memory Function for front seats
- Powered tailgate with hands-free access, Easy-pack tailgate
- Thermotronic dual-zone climate control with rear vents.
- Reverse camera
- Active parking assist with Parktronic
- Pre-safe
- Active brake assist
- Keyless-go
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
The drive
Passengers will notice the firm ride, but no more than they would in any other German-made SUV (due to the use of run-flat tires) and though it cannot ultimately match the 5008 or the Santa Fe comfort, this GLB is in no way embarrassed with its premium asking price.
It will easily chase down the 5008 with its 1.6-litre engine but will not catch up to the Santa Fe’s more powerful 2.4L petrol engine.
Take this SUV for a test drive and you will find its 1.3-litre turbo engine working smoothly with its seven-speed slick shifting automatic transmission, allowing you to drive it with ease in city traffic.
For a vehicle of its size, the acceleration is good on the open highway with a progressive wave of torque allowing this ‘family vehicle’ to leave some other cars hanging behind on the open road.
Around long sweeping corners and on highway exit ramps, this Benz is not lacking in grip as the pace is progressed with enthusiasm.
At times there was the need to restrict the pace in order to bring some sanity to the drive, simply because the cabin insulation is so good that one cannot hear the tire roar and traffic speeds.
With a full load of passengers, you will find the added weight bearing down on the 1332cc engine when you try and get frisky on the road, but remember, this is a family vehicle, not a hot hatch.
Take a test drive yourself, bring your family, load them into all six-passenger seats if possible and then drive it and experience it for yourself.
As is always the case, you would question whether most Malaysian buyers actually need the added third row of seats or would it be better to just fold them flat and get that great luggage space at the rear.
Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 Specifications
- Engine: 4-cylinder 16V Turbo
- Displacement: 1332cc
- Transmission: 7G-DCT
- Max power: 163bhp @ 5500rpm
- Max torque: 250Nm @ 1620-4000rpm
- Top Speed: 207km/h
- 0-100km/h: 8.6secs
- Price: RM269,118
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