Mercedes-Benz GLB

Both diesel and petrol engines are used to power the GLB in India. Additionally, the EQB has its all-electric derivative. A 1.3-liter direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine with 163 horsepower and 250 Nm powers the front-wheel-drive GLB 200 petrol. The GLB 220d, which was evaluated here, produces a more potent 190 horsepower and a very substantial 400 Nm of torque. It is available with all-wheel drive, as it is in this instance, or front-wheel drive.

One of the most responsive diesel engines in its class is the 2.0-liter unit. Particularly at slow and medium speeds, this is true. Tap the throttle and torque delivery is immediate, urgent, and very forceful. Keep your foot down and the GLB pushes forward with lots of vigor, with no let-off in the flow of torque even as you shift to the next gear. Even at higher engine speeds, it doesn't feel quite as powerful as when it's driving the smaller and lighter GLA, but there is still plenty of performance in this car. The** 220d 4Matic is so swift that Mercedes claims a 0-100kph time of 7.6 seconds**, and at times it seems even quicker.

The GLB diesel has good NVH control while cruising, but when you pull the engine, it becomes gruff and makes quite a racket higher up the powerband. Additionally, idling isn't the smoothest. However, the** 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is smooth and quick to shift**, and thanks to the closely spaced ratios, it easily maintains the engine's temperature. The gearbox's fast response to a tug on the left paddle and the absence of the typical twin-clutch gearbox lag or dithering all contribute to how pleasant it is to operate.

With Mercedes engineers having to combine ride and driving manners on what is an SUV with a long wheelbase, rather narrow track, and a lofty suspension, a bit of a compromise has been made. Although the GLB doesn't really throw you around and rides nicely over little bumps, large potholes and abrupt bumps can reveal certain flaws. More thuds can be heard and felt here, and you periodically hear the suspension at work. And over deeper bumps, the suspension does bounce and fling you about.

However, straight-line stability is really good. The GLB even steers into curves with a decent degree of enthusiasm, the four-wheel-drive system helping with traction (20 percent of torque is given to the rear wheels in Normal, 30 percent in Sport, and 50 percent in Off-road mode). Although there is some body roll, as you might anticipate, the GLB rolls gradually, feels neatly and securely fastened down in corners and has superb directional control overall. Although you do enjoy pushing it into corners, it doesn't exactly excel at carving corners because it isn't a BMW X1.

Nevertheless, the steering is precisely adjusted, allowing the GLB to be driven at a reasonable speed without excessive effort or wheel adjustment, making it slightly enjoyable to drive.

The GLB leaves a very favorable first impression. Long in beam, it looks big, the upright stance is exactly what Indian SUV buyers want, and what works even better is that the design, styling, and detailing are on par with any Merc SUV; in fact, it looks so big and is so lavishly detailed, it has all the chutzpah of a Rs 70 lakh SUV, without a doubt.

Although it is not as broad as other SUVs of this size, the squared wheel arches give it a robust stance, and the 'D' pillar and taillights make it simple to confuse with a GLS from the rear. The upright grille and rectangular headlights set the tone. It also has a long flat hood. Mercedes designers intend for you to make this error. Just as the C Class is referred to as the baby S Class, the GLB is also referred to as the baby GLS.

But it's not all GLS design hints. Its purpose is to increase the shoulder line toward the rear without giving the SUV a forward-tipped appearance. The GLB has an unusual kink in the shoulder line. And with its studded grille, fleshed-out bumpers, and stylish 19-inch alloy wheels, the GLB 220d 4Matic, as shown here in AMG-line trim, looks great.

The fact that the GLB is significantly bigger than the GLA will also work in the GLB's favor. It is very outstanding in length at 4,646mm and has a 2,829mm wheelbase. The wheelbase is even longer than that of the Audi Q5, which is interesting considering how well it compares to the 4,658 mm-long GLC. The Mercedes-Benz A-sedan, GLA, and Mexico-built GLB all share the same MFA2 platform.

That means it has a transverse engine design and is mostly front-wheel drive, making it slightly thinner than competitors of a similar length. This is especially true when contrasted to the GLC, which requires much more space for the engine compartment due to its longitudinally positioned engine.

Additionally, the GLB gains from having a wheelbase that is 100mm longer than the GLA's and a moderate amount of rear overhang. Struts up front and a multi-link for the rear suspension make up the suspension system that keeps this car comfortable and stable.

The GLB's interior is recognizable since it shares many components with the GLA and A-sedan.

Dashboard Features:

1. Disassembled Dashboard with individual components neatly arranged in a row.
2. Twin screens
3. Circular vents
4. Air conditioning controls

This cabin is immediately recognizable when the door pads and touchpad controls are taken into account. The steering wheel's sporty, high-quality design combines leather, brushed aluminum, and red stitching.

The buttons on the steering wheel work intuitively, and the GLB's sturdy construction is also carried over. A few plain-looking plastic components are present, like on other Mercedes MFA models, and they stand out even more on a vehicle of this caliber. The bottom of the dash and the glovebox are made of lower-grade plastics, and the door pads appear and feel subpar.

However, the long central tunnel with its piano-black shutters meets the mark, and the ornate metal block above the dash adds detail. Two-zone climate control and wireless phone charging are additional interesting front-end features, although Android Auto and Apple CarPlay do not support wireless phone charging.

In-Cabin Features:

1. The 10-speaker audio system is well-equipped.
2. The reverse camera's resolution is good
3. Dazzling LED ambient lights that brighten the inside and are available in 64 different colors
4. The 10.25-inch screen
5. Mercedes' MBUX user interface
6. voice commands that say "Hey Mercedes"
7. Part-suede and part-leatherette sports seats with lateral and lumbar support are also included in this 4Matic variant.

Given that the second seat can be moved pretty far back, space and legroom are also good. Additionally, the seats' sturdy design feels wonderful. The seat back is supportive, the backrest can be adjusted, and it ensures that you are sitting at a comfortable height. The under-thigh support, however, isn't as good as the rest of the seat because the seat base is a little small, possibly to help with the varied seating.

Space, comfort, and access to the third row, particularly for adults, are all subpar. Entry is extremely restricted; the second-row slides and folds, but there is very little space between the canted forward backrest and the door. I can hardly fit my size 12 feet anywhere, even with the second-row seat pushed forward.

Seven airbags, including curtain airbags that stretch all the way to the third row, are part of the safety suite. The GLB receives a 5-star NCAP crash test rating and features ABS, ESC, hill descent control, and tyre pressure monitoring. Active braking is also available, however, it needs to be turned off because it is too active for the circumstances. Other features include paddle shifters, a panoramic sunroof, driver modes, and dynamic seats.