What's the difference?
A new-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB is just around the corner, so the current model is now on its farewell tour.
When it launched in 2019 it stood out from the crowd as a premium small-to-medium SUV with the flexibility of seven seats. Even now no other premium carmaker offers a car that’s a direct rival to this. You need to look at mainstream options instead that are slightly larger.
A mid-life update that arrived in 2023 brought some minor tweaks including different exterior and interior styling, along with mild-hybrid power for certain variants.
On test here is the entry-level GLB200 which didn’t receive mild-hybrid assistance. Read along to find out whether it’s the pick of the line-up.
They're doing it again! Actually they've been doing it again for a bit now. It’s Mercedes-Benz Australia and plug-in hybrid tech.
The Ross and Rachel, or Jim and Pam of the premium automotive world.
It's been a will they, won't they for a while, and in the past Mercedes has dipped its proverbial plug into the electrons a few times and gotten cold feet.
But now it says it’s all in. There are others, the GLA and GLC SUVs, plus there’s the new C63 performance car, but this one feels like a bit of an arrival.
Yeah, the C-Class is no longer the Mercedes-Benz in terms of sales, but it might be the best way to make the most of a bit of battery power.
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is an oddball. While it isn’t my definition of beauty, it's a surprisingly capable and spacious small-to-medium SUV.
The entry-level GLB200, while comfortable, feels a bit underdone in the engine department. Therefore the mid-spec GLB250 with the more-powerful 2.0-litre turbo and mild-hybrid assistance plus all-wheel drive grip is the better pick.
Plug-in hybrids will probably not appeal to all buyers, but in the premium space they make sense.
Smooth electric driving paired with the potential for weekend trips outside the 100km-or-so range make the C350e a decent thing, let alone its price parity with the C300.
It still doesn’t top the charts for value or practicality, but even aside from the PHEV tech, the C350e remains a fun-to-drive sedan that holds its own in the executive space.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.