2021 Mercedes AMG GLB35
For this week’s review we’ve gotten our hands on the 2021 Mercedes GLB35. It is one of the best compact luxury SUVs on the market and this is their performance version!
Disclosure: Mercedes Benz Canada provided me with the 2021 GLB35 for a week to test drive, and photograph. All photos in this blog post was taken by me. #MercedesAMGGLB35
ACCELERATION: 9/10
2.0L I4 Turbo
302HP / 295 lb-ft8 Speed DCT
0-100km in 5 seconds
BRAKING: 8.5/10
109ft to stop from 100 km to 0
Performance brakes and wide tires really help it’s short stop distance
HANDLING: 8.5/10
One of the best front wheel drive handling vehicles and it just sticks to the ground in turns
RIDE: 7/10
Feels like a grown up hot hatch
Being the performance variant you’ll feel more imperfections than the base GLB
DCT transmissions can feel a bit jerky especially at slower speeds. Mercedes has helped improve on it but it’s still there
ECONOMY: 9/10
21/26/23 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)
CABIN NOISE: 6/10
There is a creaking sound when driving at low speeds and very audible when in an underground parking lot. Once on the road you don’t really hear it as clearly!
EXTERIOR: 8.5/10
Very stylish and luxurious looking
INTERIOR FOR DRIVER: 7/10
Tilt/telescopic column
4 way lumbar support
3 position seat memory
The seats are a bit stiff
Steering wheel feels really good to use. I prefer this over the new design
INTERIOR FOR PASSENGERS: 8.5/10
Headroom is very generous due to the flat roof design
You can equip a GLB with a 3rd row if you need to haul more people in an emergency
Combined Legroom:
107.4 - GLB (3-row)
80.0 - RDX
79.9 - XT4
79.5 - GLB (2-row)
79.0 - GLA
78.1 - GLC
77.4 - X1
77.0 - XC40
76.1 Q3
Rear Headroom:
39.6 - GLC
39.4 - X1
39.1 - XC40
38.7 - GLB
38.3 - XT4
38.0 - RDX
38.0 - GLA
37.6 - Q3
INTERIOR STORAGE: 8.5/10
5.1 Cu Ft if you have 3 rows
20-27 Cu Ft if you have 3rd row down depending on the position of the 2nd row
The boxy design makes it much more practical than the competition
OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE 2021 Mercedes AMG GLB35:
This high performance GLB is fun to drive, practical and the smallest 3 row SUV. Not only is it the smallest 3 row, it’s also the cheapest 3 row in the Mercedes line up by a huge margin. If my money is on the line this would be at the top of my shopping list due to it’s performance capabilities, pricing, luxury features and driving personality.
It’s perfect for a family, while also being fun to drive when you’re out on your own. If driving engagement isn’t important to you then save some money and get the GLB250.