The 2020 Mercedes GLB starts at $36,600

"LJ909" (lj909) 12/09/2019 at 11:56 • Filed to: Mercedes GLB 250

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New for 2020, the new Mercedes GLB presents Mercedes with an “entry level” crossover that can seat 7 albeit in a tight fit. The GLB sits between the entry level GLA and midsize GLC. Here’ s the pricing.

There is only one model and engine to choose from. The only engine is a 2.0 turbo 4 with 221 horses mated to an 8 speed dual clutch auto putting power to the front wheels. MPG is said to be 30. There are 10 exterior colors. White & Black are no charge. The other 8 are all $720. There are 6 wheel choices including the standard 18” alloy. There are 2 choices for each all the way through 20”. But they require different option packages. There are no other trims. Mercedes lists the GLB 250 4Matic like its another trim but its not. It starts at $38,600 with AWD.

There are 3 main option packages that you can choose from. There is the $2600 AMG line pack that includes AMG body styling, 19” AMG 5 spoke wheels, aluminum shift paddles etc; an AMG Line with Night Package for $3,000 that’ s pretty much the aforementioned AMG Package but with Black accents and Black wheels. And lastly there is the Exterior lighting package that for $900 equips the GLB with active LED headlights and adaptive highbeam assist. Other than those packages for the exterior, there are 7 stand alone exterior options:

Pano Roof $1500

Illuminated Star $350

Chrome door handle inserts $100

Body color rear spoiler $350

Carbon “style” mirror housings $250

LED entry lamps that project the Mercedes logo $275

I added the AMG Night package, the pano roof and illuminated star, which required certain paint and interior color choices as well as other options that will be mentioned in a bit.

Inside there are 8 seat color choices. 4 are no charge standard MB-Tex seating, while the other 4 options are all $1,450 leather options. I choose a Black/Red leather seating, which required another $1,030 for heated and cooled front seats. There are also 4 dash inlays available. 2 (faux carbon look & carbon structure) are no charge, while the other 2, both woods, are both $325. Other individual interior options include heated front seats ($580), multicontour front seats ($590), heated steering wheel ($250), 64 color LED ambient interior lighting ($310).

The surprising (kind of) option is the fact that the GLB comes standard with seating for 5. If you want the 3rd row its going to cost you. The 3rd row is an $850 option so I added it. It should also be noted that if you want the multi contour seats, you can’t get them with leather or the AMG night pack. So I didn’t choose them.

Other packages include a $2200 Premium Package that includes 2 10” displays for the speedo and center console, keyless go, power folding mirrors and blind spot assist; and a $1,150 Multimedia Package that comes with speed limit assist and an augmented navigation system. You can also choose from a Sat radio subscription for a year ($460), wireless charging pad ($200), HUD Display ($1,100), Burmester Surround Sound System ($850) and a garage door opener for $280, 2 driver assistance packages ($1,090 & $2,250 respectively), Blind Spot assist ($550 and it’s weird that its separate from the other drivers aid packages) and a $990 Adjustable suspension system with active dampening. I added all of these except the garage door opener. It should be noted as well you cant choose the $2,250 drivers aid package if you choose the illuminated star due to sensor placement. All in, a loaded GLB 250 will set you back $55,480. Give or take a few hundred depending on things like color choices. Weirdly with 4Matic, loaded a GLB 250 4Matic comes in cheaper at $53,620.

As I consider with most crossovers, I have to wonder, who this is for? One thing it has going for it is that it is the cheapest way to get 7 seats at Mercedes as the GLA and GLC don’t offer a 3rd row. And loaded out, a GLB costs as much as a base GLE, but adding a 3rd row on the GLE is a over $2k option, while on the GLB its only $850. But even then, it still doesn’t make sense. Without having the 3rd row standard, its nothing more than another crossover that brings MB’s 5 seat crossover count to 4 (GLA, GLB, GLC & GLC Coupe). And unless you just have to have the 3 pointed star, a VW Tiguan can be had with a 3rd row for cheaper.

fintail > LJ909 12/09/2019 at 12:13

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I predict a lot of these will have the illuminated star.

LJ909 > fintail 12/09/2019 at 12:17

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The illuminated star seems to attract the people driven by the badge as I only see them on the entry level cars (CLA, GLA, lower end C Classes). Its almost like its a way of broadcasting that you have a Benz.

fintail > LJ909 12/09/2019 at 12:26

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Definitely, that’s the point, and I suspect it works . Although once in a blue moon I will see it on an E or GLC/GLE. I’m from the past, I want the hood ornament.

Regarding the GLB, it is all about the German fetish of finding every single niche possible, even if they have to make it up themselves.  I suspect the GLB is for a couple with 5 small children.

LJ909 > fintail 12/09/2019 at 12:30

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Yea a hood ornament would be classier. But then you run the risk of vandalism and tampering .

I think you’re right though. They create niches and then fill those in with niches. Just look at how the X6 gave birth to the X4 and competing GLE & GLC coupes. Its crazy. This should sell to a family like that though. Especially if they are wooed by it being “premium”.

fintail > LJ909 12/09/2019 at 12:34

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I think the hood star theft craze has tapered off. I haven’t lost one in 20 years (hope I don’t jinx it), and I chose my current car in part because it is a “luxury” trim car with formal grille and hood star.

I sometimes wonder if development costs for these cars can possibly be exceeded by sales, but they all seem to sell, so it must work. Being based on existing platforms must do it. There’s definitely a target market for these niche soft-roaders, I’ve long called them designer handbags on wheels - in other words, I am not the target demographic.

Ash78, voting early and often > LJ909 12/09/2019 at 12:36

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This is a weird market positioning, much like the Metris van. Maybe it’s for the bros who leased a CLA when they first came out, so now they need seating for 4+ people...at least once every other weekend as dictated by the court.

Sorry for the snark — I’ve always wanted to see Merc shed a bit of its stodgy, upscale image in the US and go more mainstream, but the CLA, GLA, and now GLB aren’t exactly what I had in mind. I was thinking more back to how the C-Class started at under $30k not that long ago. And the a la carte options seem nutty.

But fundamentally, I like the practicality and small size here. But I bet it’s just too “Euro” for American tastes in the long run. Kind of like the Mazda5.

LJ909 > Ash78, voting early and often 12/09/2019 at 12:46

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Nah you’re exactly right. The rest of the world, especial developing areas, have never gotten their premium image here. They are taxis and delivery vans etc in other places. But them seem to have played into peoples snobbishness here and it works sadly.

I think you may be right about it being too Euro. That small 3rd row (which reminds me of the Mazda5 for some reason) and the fact it has a small turbo 4 as the only engine option that is supposed to be able to lug around 7 people and their cargo might not be enough. I also think it may be under powered.

Textured Soy Protein > LJ909 12/09/2019 at 14:27

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3rd row or not, I predict this will eat a lot of GLC 300 sales.

The GLB and GLC exterior dimensions are almost identical (the GLC is 3 inches wider)....

... but the GLB starts $6k cheaper and has more room inside (except shoulder room) thanks to its transverse rather than longitudinal engine layout.  

GLC:

GLB:

If you want a higher-performance, or crossover coupe SHIT model then the GLC is the only choice, but it seems like most shoppers looking at the low end of the GLC range would be just as fine in a GLB. 

LJ909 > Textured Soy Protein 12/09/2019 at 14:40

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You’re exactly right. They shoot themselves in the foot in a sense if this does eat GLC sales. From a common sense standpoint, it just makes more sense, even if you have to pay nearly a grand to get a 3rd (although from the looks of it tight) row that isn’t even an option.

I’m curious as to who has more cargo carrying capacity. I suspect its the GLC due to no 3rd row. And the specs don’t seem to indicate if those cargo specs are with the seats up or folded, or in the case of the GLB with and without the 3rd row. That alone though might get some people to choose the GLC over the GLB if it had more cargo room. But it shouldn’t be much.

Textured Soy Protein > LJ909 12/09/2019 at 14:56

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I believe the GLB has more cargo room, at least with the seats down . There are max cargo capacity numbers of 56 cu ft for the GLC vs 62 for the GLB. I think those numbers are capacity with all seats except the front ones removed/folded.

With no coupe or AMG models for the GLB, it’s definitely more of a commodity play. But I honestly don’t think that Mercedes will mind much if the GLB 250 cannibalizes GLC 300 sales a bit. Because the US-market GLC is built in Germany and Finland, while the GLB is built in Mexico. Even with that $6k lower starting price, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more margin for Mercedes in the GLB 250, based on production location and being on the cheaper A-Class based platform.

But I’m just guessing on that. 

Saracen > Textured Soy Protein 12/09/2019 at 15:19

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There is a GLB35 AMG coming.

Saracen > LJ909 12/09/2019 at 15:20

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I took a look at all the new Mercedes models at the LA Auto Show. I think the GLB has more usable space than the GLC since it is a much more upright, boxy shape.

Textured Soy Protein > Saracen 12/09/2019 at 15:41

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Hmm I didn’t realize they were going to mess with that for the US. But I suppose most or all the A-Class based models will at least get a 35 AMG variant. We’ll see about the 45 AMG variants. So far the only one I know of for sure is the CLA 45 but the reviews on that are just hitting and all of them say we’re not getting the S version.

Saracen > Textured Soy Protein 12/09/2019 at 16:19

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Yep, GLB 35 was officially announced for the US market. The CLA 35 was announced as well.  I’m pretty sure we’re also getting the CLA 45.

Textured Soy Protein > Saracen 12/09/2019 at 16:41

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Right, I know we’re getting the CLA 45, we’re just not getting the CLA 45 S. I’m not sure what all comes with the S but it does get 416 hp instead of the 382 hp in the regular CLA 45 and bumps the top speed limiter from 155 to 168 mph.

SpectreAZ > Saracen 12/10/2019 at 13:19

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Oh god, now you’ve done it. Mentioning any of the 35/45/ 53AMG models will inevitably summon one of the d-bags from the “not a real AMG” camp.

Saracen > SpectreAZ 12/10/2019 at 14:32

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Bah. A cheap AMG is still a real AMG, provided it goes through the same tuning and assembly process!!