Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC 2021 Review

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC rails against the positioning of the SUV as the modern day equivalent of that most mundane of vehicles, the people-mover.

All Mercedes-Benz GLB models come with seven seats, so by definition they are designed to move people. But the GLB 35 gets breathed on by Benz’s hot tuner AMG to add some zing to the school run.

There’s an AMG-tuned 225kW/400Nm turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, an AMG-tuned eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, an AMG-tuned all-wheel drive system and – you guessed it – AMG-tuned adaptive sports suspension.

If you don’t get the message from that, then the AMG-specific Panamericana vertical grille and other exterior styling touches, the 20-inch alloy wheels and a slew of AMG logos stamped on surfaces like the AMG-tuned brake package surely give it away.

All this can be yours for $89,300 plus on-road costs, lining this vehicle up very closely against the Audi RS Q3. Surprisingly, BMW doesn’t have an exact opponent for the GLB 35 in its X1 or X2 line-up. The closest would be the substantially cheaper X2 M35i.

There’s no full-fat 45 S model, so the 35 stands as the most expensive GLB, sitting above the front-wheel drive 200 and all-wheel drive 250. The GLB also nestles above the GLA in the Benz SUV line-up and below the GLC, which is slightly bigger but doesn’t get seven seats.

Apart from what we’ve already mentioned, what does the GLB 35 include in its equipment list?

Above and beyond the lesser GLB 250 and 200, the AMG model gets Lugano leather sports seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, pedals in brushed stainless-steel, a sports exhaust and black pack exterior trim.

A couple of other inclusions require further explanation: ‘energizing comfort control’, which is meant to make you feel good, emitting odours, playing music and adjusting your seat (among other things); and the ‘AMG drive unit’ – a couple of controllers that hang off the underside of the steering wheel spokes to quick-change stuff like drive modes.

Gear the 35 does share with its siblings includes a power tailgate, power adjustment for the front seats (with heating and position memory), a panoramic sunroof, dual 10.25-inch displays on the dashboard, dual-zone climate control, nine-speaker 225W audio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless charging.

There’s also the much-hyped MBUX media and navigation system and ‘Mercedes me connect’ that allows you to ask questions of the car and give it instructions – not always answered, mind you.

The GLB 35 does not get a spare tyre. Instead, there’s pressure loss monitoring and warning and an electric compressor. That omission always seems wrong in a vehicle that markets itself as an SUV.

The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside care is also provided free of charge for five years.

Service intervals for the GLB 35 are 12 months or 25,000km, whichever occurs first. A three-year service plan costs $2200, while five years is $4000.

As carsales reported earlier this year, the global semi-conductor shortage has impacted on the safety level of a bunch of local Benz models including the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB.

Omitted temporarily is the PRE-SAFE system that prepares the car for an accident by pre-tensioning seat belts, closing windows and so on.

In the case of the GLB, Benz reduced the amount of a scheduled price rise in compensation for omitting PRE-SAFE.

Other key safety gear remains untouched. The 35 comes with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot assist, lane keep assist, active parking assist, adaptive high beam LED headlights, crosswind assist, traffic sign recognition (that works) and a reversing camera.

Nine airbags include curtains that stretch all the way to the third row.

There are still safety features you have to pay extra for: adaptive cruise control with cross traffic alert, lane change assist and a 360-degree camera among them. They should be standard at this money.

The GLB has a five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2019 that is unaffected by the absence of PRE-SAFE.

Like virtually every other Benz small car, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 is based on a front- and all-wheel drive architecture known as MFA.

The A-, B-, CLA-, GLA- and GLB-Class all employ variations of this architecture and the drivetrain and chassis modules that have been developed with it. So not only is there a GLB 35, but also a GLA, CLA and A 35.

The M260 twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the same across all those models, as is the dual-clutch automatic transmission and the all-wheel drive system. Operating via a multi-disc clutch with electromechanical controller, 4MATIC swaps from front-wheel drive to as much as 50:50 front/rear split depending on traction conditions.

A 5.2sec 0-100km/h acceleration time is claimed on 98 RON fuel, along with an 8.3L/100km fuel consumption average. On test we were in the 9.2L/100km range.

The suspension system combines MacPherson struts up front and multi-links at the rear with driver-adjustable adaptive dampers. Hardware including steering knuckles, transverse control arms, the subframe and wheel carriers have all been redesigned by AMG in search of more direct steering and sharper dynamics than standard GLBs.

Electromechanical speed-sensitive rack and pinion power steering has a variable ratio, allowing less effort at lower speeds. The brake package combines 350x34mm cast-iron front discs clamped by four-piston callipers up front. A single calliper works on the 220x22mm rear discs.

As is typical these days, the GLB 35 offers a high degree of digital personalisation of the drive experience.

AMG Dynamic Select offers five modes: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. They primarily impact the engine, transmission, suspension and steering. Slippery is a new mode optimised for low-grip roads. A ‘race start’ function activates when the throttle is fully depressed.

In terms of key numbers, the GLB 35 measures up at 4634mm long, 1834mm wide, 1658mm high and weighs in at 1857kg.

Boot capacity is just 150 litres with all three rows in place. With row three folded it is 565 litres and with the 40/20/40-split second row also folded it’s 1800L, just enough to fit a large mountain bike with the front wheel still in place.

All second and third row seats fold individually, the second row slides fore-aft 140mm and has adjustable backrests, so it’s pretty flexible back there.

It’s easy to not – repeat not – have high expectations of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC. I mean, look at it. It’s a slab-sided thing that’s designed to haul kids not ass.

But you know what, it does actually work.

On the slab thing first. The GLB’s shape definitely makes it easy to fit gear in. Sure, it’s slightly narrow in the hips, but there’s no in-fashion yet inappropriate sloping roofline to hit your head on or cruel luggage stowage.

Then there’s the driving. Those boffins at AMG know a thing or two about making vehicles enjoyable. And such is the case with the GLB 35.

Get the settings right and the 35 zots along, burbling and snarkling on the gear changes, turning neatly into corners, holding its line and gripping up nicely without rolling around too much.

It doesn’t feel like it has a ridiculously high centre of gravity. Excellent Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres certainly help in all this.

When driving with some interest in the matter, the engine and transmission responded quickly in Sport or Sport Plus; gear changes were marginally sharper changing manually using the paddle shifters.

Comfort mode is best saved for fuel-saving commutes, but setting the steering and suspension set-up default to Comfort is good for rotten Aussie roads. The steering becomes a bit too resistant to input in the sportier modes and the ride a bit too rough.

Sport Plus would work better at track days, although it’s hard to imagine anyone taking their GLB to Phillip Island or Sydney Motorsport Park for a blat.

Nope, the school run is more likely and in that role the GLB 35 will do fine. It’s a tractable and comfortable vehicle around town, can fit two tall teenagers in row two – it’s too narrow to fit three comfortably – and two smaller kids in row three.

Second row features include three top-tether child seat anchors and two ISOFIX points, two air vents, two cup holders, two USB-C outlets, an arm rest and seat-back nets.

A long trip would be doable, although there is a bit of tyre and road noise that penetrates the cockpit. This is not the quietest car on the road.

Up front, the GLB driver has plenty of tech to sort through. Those two big screens – the one hanging over the centre stack is a touch screen – have layer upon layer of info and adjustability, including specific AMG data and presentation.

There are multiple ways of managing this and other systems – voice, touch, gesture, button. It’s noticeable that the old Comand rotary dial has departed.

In more traditional ways this is a well-executed cockpit. The seats are deep-sided and comfortable and the steering wheel thickly grippy.

There is a heap of storage aided by the column-mounted gear shifter that creates room for a huge centre lidded bin.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC pretty successfully achieves a difficult double act. It’s functionally efficient yet also an entertaining drive.

Not just competent, but a bit communicative too.

I doubt anyone would be rushing down to their Benz dealer trading a Porsche Macan for a GLB 35. But if you’ve got family members to haul, a decent budget and a liking for driving, then this might be a niche vehicle made for you.

How much does the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC cost?
Price: $89,300 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 225kW/400Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 186g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)