The seven-seat Mercedes family SUV gets hot hatch power and slight exterior tweaks.
Mercedes-AMG has a wide range of cars these days spanning from the likes of the A 35 hot hatch all the way up to the GT 63 super saloon and somewhere in between the AMG engineers have managed to take the seven-seat GLB and give it some real performance upgrades.
2023 saw Mercedes’ AMG division launch some major new cars within its portfolio with the new AMG GT, CLE 53, GLC 63 and the AMG-developed SL. The Mercedes GLB might not be the most obvious choice to be given the AMG treatment, but hot SUVs are rather fashionable right now and with seven-seat practicality, the GLB 35 could have all bases covered.
Just one trim level is offered on the GLB 35 as it stands and there are no plans for a hotter 45 variant like the A 45 hot hatchback.
As we saw with the facelifted A 35 that was launched in 2023, the GLB 35 gets the same engine, mated to a new mild-hybrid unit. 22kW and 400Nm of torque remains the same as before, sourced from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a 48-volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) system adding 7kW for short bursts and to help power the car under coasting. Power is sent through a seven-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels.
The GLB 35 is pretty well equipped. As standard there’s of course the AMG bodykit with a restyled front bumper, new headlight and rear light signatures and to the rear, twin single-exit exhaust tips. On the old car, 19-inch wheels came as standard but now the 20-inch rims are standard-fit.
The interior sees a couple of changes with the latest MBUX software added to the twin 10.25-inch screens on the dash. There’s a new wood trim that’s optional, but overall it’s the same cabin as you’d find the old model – still equipped with a seven-seat layout, making the GLB 35 a rather niche offering. An electric panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, head-up display and 360-degree camera are all standard features.