Can this facelift on the Mercedes GLB keep it fresh enough to consider?
Exterior – Front
So, lets start with the styling at the front and to start with it isn’t the biggest update we have seen from Mercedes. We get the same grill as before which means we don’t have the new Mercedes mesh pattern which is a shame. We do get a new set of headlights though with a new LED Day time running light graphic which I like. We also get a new bumper design with the newer side vents and a more aggressive central air vent. We still get the boxy shape like before though which I do like and it makes me think that this is what the G Class would look like if it was introduced today using the more modern Mercedes design.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side the changes are minimal and have just been kept to new wheel and colour options.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and the changes are very minimal and if you didn’t know what they are you wouldn’t notice. Can you spot it. Well, if you guessed the taillights then you have guessed correctly. They have a new graphic in them that look like a Citroen which is surprising. But apart from that everything else has been kept the same which is a shame as some other Mercedes facelift recently have had more changes overall. Let’s have a look the engine options that you can have with the new Mercedes GLB Facelift.
Car and engine specs and price
So, for the Mercedes GLB you can have Petrol Hybrid or Diesel. The petrol mild hybrid engines are new for the facelift. Let’s start with the Petrol Hybrid engines. To start with you can have the GLB 200. This is a 1.3 litre turbo engine with 161 bhp but with the hybrid assistance you can get an extra 12 bhp like any other mild hybrid Mercedes. 0-62 is delt within 9.3 seconds which is good also and power goes through a 7-speed automatic and is sent to the front wheels. For the diesel range you can have the 200d. this uses a 2-litre turbo engine which has 148 bhp and can do 0-62 in 9.2 seconds. This uses an 8-speed automatic gearbox and power is sent to the front wheels. Next up is the 220d 4MATIC. This uses the same 2 litre turbo engine, but the power has been increased to 188 bhp. power is sent though an 8-speed gearbox but this time it goes to all 4 wheels making it 4-wheel drive. 0-62 is delt within 7.8 seconds which isn’t bad. The price of the Mercedes GLB starts at £38,745. Let’s have a look at the interior.
Interior – Design
Now getting inside the GLB and you are welcomed with the same changes as the A Class and GLA. This means you get the newer Mercedes steering wheel with touch sensitive buttons as well as the newer MBUX 2.0 without the touchpad which is slightly annoying as it made using the system easier to use on the move. You also get some new materials but apart from that everything is the same. To be honest I don’t mind as the interior of the GLB as it does feel premium for a cheaper Mercedes, and it does feel better than its rivals, but it is not as good as a BMW though. Let’s have a look at the middle and third row seats.
Practicality
So, getting into the middle row and we get a decent amount of legroom and somewhere to put your feet as the front seats are positioned quite high up. Headroom is also good, and you can slide these seats forward and back to create more room for the third row. They also recline too. Let’s have a look at the third row. Getting into the third row with the middle row seat in my position and legroom is not the best and neither is headroom. Really an adult cant sit here for long journeys and is mostly for children. Let’s have a look at the boot.
Boot Size
So, opening the boot and if you have the GLB set up in 5 seat mode then you are welcomed with 500 litres. With all the seats folded you can get 1,680 litres of boot space.
Summary
So, with its unique styling and Mercedes feel does the new Mercedes GLB Facelift impress me enough to recommend it as a perfect family 7-seater. Well, if you are also looking at the everyday brands like Skoda, Kia, Dacia, and Hyundai then these models will be better value for money but if you are looking at a BMW or Audi then personally, I would make sure this is near the top to look at least. It isn’t a bad car, and it will do most people but if you want a more premium model or want a decent equipment list then you must go up the trim levels and it can get pricy on this model which then makes the car feel cheap. Especially when you get above £50,000
Exterior 2/5
Interior 3/5
Practicality 4/5
Total 9/15
Model | Mercedes GLB 200 AMG-Line Premium Mild Hybrid |
Engine | 1.3 Litre Turbo, 161bhp +12bhp, 0-62 = 9.3 Seconds, Front Wheel Drive |
Trnasmission | Automatic 7 Speed |
Price | £43,835 |
On Sale | Now |
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