Why Lease The GLB?
by: Donna KellyDonna Kelly has over 14 years of experience in the motoring industry, writing, test driving and tweeting about cars. Her weekends are spent trackside, covering racing events.
Mercedes GLB Review 2021
If you're looking for a stylish family SUV with plenty of space inside for seven people, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is well worth considering.
Sitting between the GLA and GLC in the Mercedes SUV range, the GLB is excellent to drive, looks great and has a comfy upmarket interior.
Rivals to the Mercedes-Benz GLB include the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008.
Our Mercedes GLB Review covers:
Mercedes GLB Key Features
- Striking exterior design with large unique headlights
- Roomy, upmarket interior with digital widescreen cockpit and ambient lighting
- 570-litre boot, which expands to 1,805 litres with rear seats down
- Range of petrol and diesel engines
- Four trim levels, including AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is instantly recognisable on the road, thanks to its striking exterior design. Its large unique headlights give the GLB a distinctive silhouette, while its boxy body shape and whopping front grille make it one of the best-looking luxury vehicles in its class.
Inside, the GLB's striking design continues with plenty of space for the family inside. Similar in size to the GLC, the GLB can be equipped with seven seats. This makes the GLB an excellent family car leasing option due to its impressive practicality. However, unlike the Skoda Kodiaq and Land Rover Discovery Sport, the Mercedes GLB is relatively small for a seven-seater.
At the rear, boot space in the five-seat GLB is 570 litres, which is 20 litres more than you get in the larger Mercedes-Benz GLC. Space in the seven-seat option drops but is still impressive at 500 litres when the two rear seats are folded away. The GLB also has an electric tailgate as standard that reveals a wide and square opening boot.
Interior and Trims
The Mercedes GLB's interior looks similar to the A-Class hatchback with its minimalist design, metal-effect air vents and glossy plastics used throughout. The upmarket interior with its ambient lighting looks excellent, but the infotainment system is dated compared with the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
Four trim levels are available, including the AMG Line, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus.
The AMG Line model has a seven-inch digital instrument display, touchscreen media display, 180° reversing camera, KEYLESS-GO starting function, MBUX multimedia system, LED high-performance headlamps, and automatic climate control. It also comes with AMG body styling, heated sports seats, privacy glass, Mercedes-Benz logo brake callipers and 19-inch AMG alloy wheels.
The AMG Line Premium model adds a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, touchscreen media display, Mercedes-Benz illuminated front door sills, mirror package, parking package, and ambient lighting including 64 colours.
The AMG Line Premium Plus model adds MULTIBEAM LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist, a panoramic sunroof and Traffic Sign Assist.
The top-of-the-range Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4Matic Premium Plus model comes with AMG high-performance brake system, AMG Night package, AMG roof spoiler, AMG radiator grille and smartphone integration.
Power and Performance
Under the bonnet, the Mercedes GLB comes with a choice of one petrol engine and three diesel variants offering different outputs.
The entry-level petrol engine is the 161bhp 1.3-litre turbo in the GLB 200. It's ideal for school runs and urban commuting, but it's not great for travelling long journeys.
The entry-level diesel option is the GLB 200d with a 148bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. This engine option feels pretty quick for the GLB's size and is also available with 4Matic four-wheel drive.
The GLB 220d uses the same diesel engine, but the power increases to 187bhp. This engine gets 4Matic as standard, making this the best GLB for towing.
The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4Matic uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which produces 306bhp. Thanks to its adaptive damping and performance, this is the most fun model to drive.
The Mercedes GLB is great to drive, handling well with a great view of the road thanks to its high driving position. At high speeds, the overly light steering isn't ideal however, this comes in handy when driving around town and parking in tight spaces.
Although 4Matic four-wheel drive is offered on some GLB models, it doesn't come close to the Land Rover Discovery Sport for off-road ability. Nevertheless, it's ideal for grass car parks, gravel tracks and slippery roads.
Leasing vs Buying
Prices for the new Mercedes GLB start from £38,320.00 OTR* or to lease from Price On Request per month.
Want to know more about leasing the Mercedes GLB? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the largest car leasing providers in the UK. All of our leasing deals include the manufacturer's warranty, road tax for the duration of the lease, breakdown cover, and free mainland GB delivery (exclusions apply).
Plus, with fixed monthly rentals, a low initial outlay and flexible mileage and contract terms, leasing a Mercedes GLB might be cheaper than buying outright with a bank loan or dealer finance.
*'On the road' price is correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change. Always check with your nearest retailer.
