2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 Review: Big Badge, Big Face, Big Space (w/video)
Leow Ju Len
11/11/2020
At $182,888 with COE, the GLB isn’t mainstream affordable for sure, but in the lux segment there’s no denying that this is a very well-priced car, especially if you really like the idea of owning a car with a three-pointed star on the nose.
The slightly larger BMW X3 starts from around $200k, but crucially, doesn’t have the option of seven seats. BMW has a seven-seat MPV, the 2 Series Gran Tourer. It’s been on the market for some time, but that also means it’s far less expensive than the GLB.
To talk of Kia’s new Sorento in the same breath as a Mercedes-Benz may seem odd, but the South Korean brand is really that good these days. It’s larger, more powerful, costs less, and packed with astonishingly good tech.
The Mazda CX-8 is in a similar vein, and drives in a distinctively Mazda-like fashion, which means it’s engaging enough for the keen driver but still mighty comfortable.
Yet, there’s no escaping the fact that the GLB 200 is hitting all the right notes for the current car buying climate in Singapore, with its economical but powerful engine, configurable seven-seat cabin, reasonable size and road presence. The third row does have compromises, but we suspect most buyers will happily overlook that due to the gleam of the star on the front.
Mercedes-Benz GLB 200 Progressive
| Engine | 1,332cccc, inline 4, turbocharged |
| Power | 163hp at 5500rpm |
| Torque | 250Nm at 1620-4000rpm |
| Gearbox | 7-speed automatic |
| 0-100km/h | 207km/h |
| Top Speed | 9.1 seconds |
| Fuel Efficiency | 6.4L/100km |
| VES Band / CO2 | B / 145g/km |
| Agent | Cycle & Carriage |
| Price | $182,888 with COE |
| Availability | Now |
| Verdict | A Mercedes badge, seven seats, tough looks, and priced under S$200k, it’s a near unbeatable combo for family-sized motoring |
About the Author
Leow Ju Len
CarBuyer Singapore's original originator, Ju-Len in person is exactly how he is on the written word and behind the wheel. Meaning that he darts all over the place and just when you thought he's lost the plot, you realise that it's just you not keeping up with his incredible rate of speed and thought.
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