{"id":49762,"date":"2021-05-15T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-15T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/life\/car-review-2021-mercedes-benz-glb250-4matic\/"},"modified":"2021-05-15T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-05-15T12:00:00","slug":"car-review-2021-mercedes-benz-glb250-4matic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/life\/car-review-2021-mercedes-benz-glb250-4matic\/","title":{"rendered":"Car review: 2021 Mercedes Benz GLB250 4MATIC"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Larry Lark, contributor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2021 GLB250 4MATIC is a brand-spanking new addition to the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup.<\/p>\n

Durable and practical with powerful yet compact dimensions, the compact SUV offers an attractive entry point into the German manufacturer’s expanding sport utility lineup. Other trims include the GLB250 front-wheel drive and AMG GLB35.<\/p>\n

GLB seats five passengers, with an optional third-row available for the first time, increasing capacity to seven. I folded the second-row seats forward, providing enough room for three occupants and three full-size golf bags in a recent road trip to Whitehorse Golf Course in Kingston.<\/p>\n

My tester was powered by an AMG enhanced, powerful and efficient, 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder, turbocharged engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The tandem generates 302 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, delivering almost 26 miles per gallon fuel economy in a week’s worth of city and highway driving.<\/p>\n

The new GLB can be optionally equipped with permanent all-wheel drive system 4MATIC, with variable torque distribution. This sporty all-wheel drive configuration allows the driver to use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to influence the characteristics of 4MATIC. Three characteristic programs (Eco\/Comfort, Sport and Off-Road) are available to control the all-wheel drive clutch, though the system reacts intelligently to the current driving situation in any mode.<\/p>\n

Exterior design cues include an upright front section, short front and rear overhangs, under-ride guards and all-around protective cladding clearly give a nod toward the GLB250’s off-road prowess.<\/p>\n

Yet creature comforts are provided in overabundance, making sure momma’s happy when it comes to the day-to-day chores of transporting children to events, and moving about town. Standard highlights include a power lift-gate, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and more.<\/p>\n

Optional features add $8,000 to the bottom line and include navigation, ambient lighting, AMG body styling including a diamond block grille, AMG five-spoke wheels, heated front seats, XM radio, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.<\/p>\n

With the standard MBUX interface, the GLB features exceptional in-car operation and communication capabilities. MBUX takes user experience to the next level by incorporating a powerful computer, brilliant screens and graphics, a customizable display, learning-capable software, and Voice Control with natural language recognition. The available full color heads-up display and augmented video for navigation further enhance this sophisticated system.<\/p>\n

The GLB also offers the latest in driving assistance systems with cooperative driver support, providing the highest level of active safety in this segment with functions adopted from the benchmark S-Class. Using this technology, the GLB is able to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations. To do so, it keeps a close eye on the traffic situation. The improved camera and radar systems allow it to see up to 1,640 feet (500 meters) ahead; the GLB also uses map and navigation data to support assistance functions.<\/p>\n

Completing the GLB250 driving experience is an expansive safety suite to protect your family.<\/p>\n

Adding the priceless attribute of confidence are active brake assist, attention assist, electronic stability program, brake assist program, rearview camera, blind spot assist, LED headlamps and taillamps, anti-theft alarm system, retractable headrests, seat belts with belt tensioners, and a side window airbags.<\/p>\n

Base Price: $41,100<\/p>\n

Price As Driven: $49,725<\/p>\n

Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Larry Lark, contributor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":106,"featured_media":49763,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-49762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49762"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/106"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49762"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49762\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49762"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kentreporter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=49762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}