What's the difference?
There’s nothing quite like the Mercedes-Benz GLB. It’s a smallish mid-size SUV with a third seating row (strictly for small children… ), it has a distinctive boxy shape, and for the second generation, you can have a mild-hybrid or fully-electric powertrain. It is the definition of versatile.
The previous GLB was petrol only and Mercedes also offered the similar looking EQB as part of its EQ electric sub-brand. The separate EV model strategy wasn’t working so the German carmaker followed rival BMW’s plan of simply offering electric versions of popular models. Hence the two powertrain options for the new GLB.
This time around Benz has sharpened up pricing, added a bunch of new tech, and developed a new vehicle architecture, while retaining what buyers loved about the original.
Is the new-gen GLB a success?
The e-tron S was inevitable.
The marriage of the latest automotive trends – sporty electrified SUVs with specific performance bits, the e-tron S is as much rooted in Audi’s future as it is in the present.
Having been one of the earliest fully electric German cars in the space, and now with a few years of age on it. Can the e-tron S shine as one of the best? Read on to find out.
The new GLB is a worthy successor to the original. It has retained everything that made it such a unique proposition but improves where it counts - interior space and comfort, in-car and safety tech, standard features, powertrain, ride quality and, importantly, value-for-money.
The EV is the pick of the powertrains and while I didn’t get to drive it, the GLB250+ is the best value.
Servicing is expensive and the standard glass roof is a bugbear but if you can cope with those things, the boxy GLB is a terrific smallish family SUV.
The e-tron S looks mean, feels premium, and blends serious power with surprising grace under pressure. I still can’t shake the feeling I had with the standard e-tron, though, that this car is an Audi sports SUV first and an electric car second, and its weight holds it back from being as fun to drive as I think some rivals are.
If you love Audi and you want to go electric without stepping into something too unfamiliar it’s a great option. If you want an electric car which takes full advantage of what the next generation of technology can offer, keep an eye out, there’s plenty of fresh metal on the way.