Mercedes-Benz GLB review

The GLB range starts at £39,825 for the entry-level AMG Line Executive model with the 1.3-litre petrol engine. It costs £700 to upgrade to the 2.0-litre diesel engine, then another £3.5k for the four-wheel drive version. 

AMG Line Premium is the middle trim, starting from £41,825 for the same set of engines. Then it tops out at £48,475 for the top-spec AMG Line Premium Plus Night Edition with diesel 4x4. Presumably the rear badging has to wrap around the sides of the car to fit.

Then of course there's that AMG version straddling the price list like King Kong. It'll set you back a hefty £53,440, but it is the most cost effective way to make six people throw up quickly.

What are the specs like?

The AMG Line Executive car is reasonably well specced with 19in wheels, keyless start, heated front seats, dual-zone aircon, cruise control, reversing camera plus front and rear parking sensors, a bundle of airbags and safety kit (carmakers sometimes hold the full set back for more expensive versions), auto headlights and wipers and a 10.25in touchscreen infotainment display that comes with three years of free updates to the maps. The digital instrument panel is the same size and also comes as standard. 

AMG Line Premium adds fancier keyless entry, a power opening tailgate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (plus it’s the first version to get pre-installed wiring and whatnot for towing), while AMG Line Premium Plus Night Edition gets you 20in alloys, panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, LED headlights and fancy black trim around the outside of the car. 

The AMG version, in ‘Premium Plus’ spec, gets everything thrown at it, including uprated brakes, suspension, five-spoke matte black 20in alloys and even an AMG-specific radiator grille. Inside you get black leather upholstery, Burmester surround sound audio system and a bespoke MBUX setup with some extra AMG-specific features that show you engine data and suchlike.

Which one should I go for?

Our heart says go for the bonkers AMG car, our head says ignore all of these and go for the electric EQB version. But if we were forced to pick one of these with our sensible shoes on, we’d say go for the AMG Line Premium. Ignore the entry car – despite it being decently equipped you’ll rue the day you passed over the one with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

We know it’s not very fashionable these days, but we’d also think strongly about the two-wheel drive diesel, just for the economy. And then we'd cross our fingers that it didn’t get banned from where we live. In that regard, the EQB is the only one that’s certifiably future-proofed.