Mercedes-Benz GLB priced
Three-pointed star’s all-new seven-seat mid-size SUV now available to order, but it’s not cheapAustralian pricing and equipment has been announced for the Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class and there’s good news and bad.
As expected, three petrol variants of the all-new mid-size SUV will be available in Australia, where both the Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 and the GLB 250 4MATIC are available to order now ahead of first deliveries later this month.
The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC will top the range — at least until the Mercedes-AMG 45 — when it arrives later this year.
The good news is all models will come standard with seven seats, unlike the five-seat-only Mercedes-Benz GLC mid-size SUV, which is Australia’s top-selling luxury car and positioned $7500 higher from $67,400 plus on-road costs.
The bad news is the front-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 opens the range at a higher than expected $59,900 plus ORCs, while the mid-range Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC will cost $73,900 and the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC tops the range at $88,900.
However, all three models will be well-specified, with standard equipment extending to nine airbags, Active Brake Assist with semi-autonomous braking, Active Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Adaptive High Beam Assist and Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC.
All GLBs will also score Benz’s MBUX infotainment system with twin 10.25-inch digital screens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite navigation and reversing camera, and various vehicle functions can be controlled via the Mercedes me Connect smartphone app.
Other key features at base level include the wireless phone charging, KEYLESS-GO entry/start, electric tailgate, Comfort Seats with ARTICO upholstery, THERMOTRONIC climate control, illuminated door sills, leather-clad multi-function steering wheel with shift buttons, Comfort Suspension, rain-sensing wipers, 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels and aluminium roof rails.
The Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 is powered by a 120kW/250Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels via a 7G-DCT seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
As in the A-Class hatch and sedan, the B-Class people-mover, the CLA-Class sedan and the GLA-Class crossover, all of which are based on the same transverse-engined compact-car platform, stepping up to the Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC brings a 165kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four, this time mated to an 8G-DCT eight-speed twin-clutch auto and 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.
Extra features for the GLB 250 4MATIC include a panoramic sunroof, electric and heated front seats with memory function, adjustable suspension damping, a Sports Direct-Steer System, 19-inch five/twin-spoke alloys and the OFF-ROAD engineering package including Downhill Speed Regulation and off-road driving and lighting modes.
Shell out for the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC and you’ll get the same powertrain with higher 225kW/400Nm outputs and an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT eight-speed auto with AMG Dynamic Select, plus an AMG exhaust system with silent start, AMG high-performance braking system, AMG speed-sensitive power steering and AMG RIDE CONTROL Sports Suspension with electronically controlled damping.
Other GLB 35-exclusive features include an AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather with AMG DRIVE UNIT controller, Comfort Sport Seats in Lugano leather, Energizing Comfort Control, brushed stainless steel AMG pedals with rubber studs, Carbon Structure interior trim, AMG-specific bodywork, AMG Night Package exterior trim features, dark-tinted privacy glass from the B-pillar back, black roof rails and AMG 20-inch alloys.
Mercedes sixth compact model and its eighth SUV rides on a 2829mm wheelbase (100mm longer than the B-Class’), is claimed to deliver class-leading front headroom at 1035mm and offers a sizeable 560 litres of cargo space behind the third-row seats, extending to a total of 1755.
Also thanks to its boxy shape, the first compact model from Mercedes with seven seats brings a comfortable 967mm of legroom for the second-row seat, which can slide 140mm fore-aft, is split 40:20:40 and has a multi-stage backrest recliner.
Meantime, the flush-folding individual third-row seats, which are said to accommodate passengers up to 1.68 metres tall, are equipped with side window airbags, retractable head restraints, seat belts tensioners, a further two ISOFIX child seat anchors, a pair of drink holders and outboard stowage compartments with USB ports.
How much does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class cost?
Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 – $59,900
Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4MATIC – $73,900
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4 MATIC – $88,900
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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