It’s getting harder and harder to find a stylish car. There are still great options like the GTI and Golf R, the Honda Civic Type R, and the Toyota GR Corolla. That’s all of them unless you want to add some liftbacks that happen less often. In the event that none of those cars interest you, there is another option.
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLB35 is a tall hatchback with extra room for cargo, even though it has seven seats and looks like a small crossover. It’s so big that the EPA calls it a “mid-size station wagon.” This car is also definitely “hot” because it has the AMG logo on it. It gets to 60 mph faster than some “traditional” hot hatchbacks, moves really well, and has a lot of power. It’s a great thing to do.
The GLB35’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is the same as Mercedes’ AMG A35, which isn’t sold in the US. This makes it even more of a hot hatch. It has 295 pound-feet of torque and 302 horsepower, with some hybrid help from a starting generator built in. It has more power than the GR Corolla and a lot more than the GTI.
The GLB35 looks pretty normal when it’s not in Sport or Sport+ mode. Without the AMG badge, it might look like a well-equipped base model. To get it going, you have to sink your foot in the ground. The exhaust is quiet, and the throttle is slow.
Even so, I still like being able to turn on the four-cylinder engine with just two flicks of the drive mode button on the steering wheel. The GLB35 can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds thanks to AMG’s standard 48-volt system, which gives it a big power boost. That’s faster than the GTI and almost as fast as the GR Corolla.
Power slowly comes into the band and speeds up as it gets closer to the middle and top limits. More speed is always there, even when you’re in Sport+ mode, so you don’t have to squeeze the pedal.
Could an SUV with seven seats also turn a corner? In true AMG style, Mercedes set the suspension to its stiffest setting and the steering to its biggest. This gave the GLB a nice feel when turning in. This thing dives into corners with a lot of enthusiasm and comes out on the other side in charge.
The GLB35 and other hot hatches all have understeer that is skewed toward the front wheels, which can be good or bad. Physics says that there is only so much you can do to stop it, even with a limited-slip differential and basic all-wheel drive. While the GLB35 sits lower than the regular GLB, its 6.0-inch ride height makes it taller than the GR Corolla and Civic Type R by more than an inch. It’s 65.4 inches tall, the GLB35. This Mercedes doesn’t have the usual all-season tires; instead, it has summer tires that grip better and 21-inch wheels.
The GLB35 still does a great job as a daily driver’s SUV. As was already said, it has an extra third row that can fit up to seven people, though it would be hard to find anyone to sit back there. It’s close.
Mercedes-Benz technology comes standard, and the panel has two screens that look like iPads next to each other. Also, there is enough space for cargo. When all the seats are folded flat, there are 62.0 cubic feet of space around the car. There are 22.0 cubic feet behind the second row and 12.4 cubic feet behind the possible third row. That’s better than most hatchbacks, hot or cold.
Due to improvements to how it looks, this version may be more appealing than the last one by 2024. This includes a new AMG logo on the hood, normal LEDs in the back, LED headlights with new signature lighting parts, and a front grille that has been changed.
Some Mercedes-AMG cars, though, have rough rides, so you’ll have to cope with that. New summer tires and 21-inch wheels will not help. A lot of hard plastic touches are also present inside the car, and there is some noise from the road when going fast.
The worst thing is the price. The GLB35 costs more than the original GLB, which was only $45,600. It starts at $60,200. This tester has options like 21-inch wheels, the multimedia update, and the Night package, which makes many of the outside highlights darker. It costs $69,750.
Here’s some hot hatchback money: the Civic Type R starts at $45,890, and the GR Corolla costs $37,595. For its class, the GLB35 is very expensive. The most expensive Audi Q3, the most expensive Alfa Romeo Tonale, and the most expensive BMW X1 M35i all cost more than the GLB35. At that price, I don’t think many people will choose an AMG over a Civic Type R, but the GLB35 is still a success.
COMMENTS