The Mercedes-Benz GLB will arrive in showrooms at
the end of the year, but the company is currently accepting orders in Germany,
where it’s offered with a choice of six powertrains, from € 37,746.80 (US$ 42,293).
In comparison, the more urban- and hatch-like GLA
starts at € 30,333.10, while the larger GLC, from € 46,237.45 in Merc’s home
market. In America, the respective starting MSRPs for the two models are US$ 33,950 for the GLA and US$ 40,700 for the GLC.
Built on the same basic underpinnings as the new
A-Class, albeit bigger to offer more passenger room and the option of a third
row of seats, suitable for occupants up to 1.68 meters in height,
the boxy GLB technically rivals the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. However, the base X1 is
available from € 32,700 (US$ 36,639), whereas the 2020 Q3 starts at € 38,600
(US$ 43,249). The only petrol engines available are the 163 PS,
1.3-liter in the GLB 200 and 224 PS, 2.0-liter in the GLB 250
4Matic.
The diesel lineup is more generous, being offered in
GLB 180d, GLB 200d, GLB 200d 4Matic and GLB 220d 4Matic guises. Pricing ranges
between € 37,770.60 (US$ 42,320) and € 44,601.20 (US$ 49,973). These models share the
same 2.0-liter power unit between them, which churns out 116 PS and 280 Nm of torque in the most affordable variant, and 150 PS and 320 Nm in the mid-range grades. The 220d
4Matic has 190 PS and 400 Nm.
Models packing the 4Matic all-wheel drive system
have the standard Offroad Engineering Package, with Downhill Speed Regulation,
an extra driving mode and additional off-road light. Elsewhere, you can spec
your GLB with a wide range of options, including LED headlights and fog lamps,
360-degree camera system, head-up display, Burmester premium audio, heated
steering wheel. Several packages, like the Business, Driving Assistance, Night
and Start, with the latter being offered until the end of the year, are also on
the list.
Additionally, Mercedes-Benz is offering the GLB
Edition 1 for a € 9.044 (US$ 10,133) premium, with 20-inch alloy wheels with opal
orange rim flanges, bahia brown interior with coral red topstitching and walnut
wood with coral red pattern.
