Review: Mercedes-AMG GLB 35

For sleep-deprived fathers too deep in homework and play dates, the GLB35 is his reward.

The GLB 35 is rare in the combination of its body type and drivetrain prowess.

Fun 7-seaters are always a deep contradiction. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t desirable. Quite the opposite, in fact. I recall the Volkswagen Touran in the late 2000s equipped with the 170 PS twincharged Golf GT engine and its iconic ad, with 7 people wearing helmets inside. That’s pretty cool. 

The AMG engine is turbocharged for a huge punch, despite a small displacement.

The concept is very niche for sure, and today there are not many options in the market. One is the Skoda Kodiaq RS. With its hot 2-litre turbo from the Golf GTI and with all-wheel drive, it runs the GLB35 pretty close in terms of the concept. But the Mercedes is far more potent whereas the Skoda leans towards being more family-friendly. The GLB35 is equipped with a 306 hp 2-litre turbo engine from the A35, the latter a rung higher than the GTI. 

The 2.0-litre engine is shared with the A 35 family.

The torque split of the Merc is 50:50 front and rear, but the Skoda is a tad more sophisticated with the ability to send up to 100% of torque to the rear axle. However, the GLB35 does have sportier seats as well as AMG touchpoints like the thick steering wheel and aluminium pedals. All of this combines to ensure that the GLB35 justifies its premium asking price. 

7-seater practicality with sports car pace - and the MB badge - makes it irresistable.

The GLB35 really took me by surprise. I thought it would feel like a large SUV with a slightly perkier engine, but instead it is like a sports car with 7 seats. There’s immense confidence emanating from the steering feel and unflappable security from the 4MATIC system. It’s not a playful setup, but it’s extremely confidence-inspiring and easy to exploit. There’s so much grip that you’ll not be finding the limits of the GLB35 anytime soon before your kids get sick with their McDonald’s Happy Meal. 

The interior is a little plasticky, but you'll forget it soon after driving it.

Yet there is also proper ride comfort from the adjustable dampers, and genuine daily usability from the engine that delivers lots of torque in the low-end. Even the exhaust note is pretty decent in this day and age, despite a lot of it being augmented. At least there is still genuine sound from the outside, and its cold start is pretty enjoyable. 

Not particularly handsome, but an erudite choice.

Forget about fuel consumption with the GLB35, this is a seven seater that sits at the far end of the impracticality scale, at least in its class. But if you wanted a hot 7-seater that almost has it all, the GLB35 has got what you need. 

Photos by Sean Seah