Sandwich squeeze

With standout looks and school-run-smashing space, what's a GLB if stuck between the GLA and GLC?

If one were to hazard a visit to less official so-called author-edited dictionaries, the general consensus seems to be anything pertaining to an in-betweener is terminally uncool.

In the murky realm of keyboard cowboy cancel culture, particular disdain is reserved for individuals, occupations or organisations characterised by inferior standing that seem to simply exist to fulfil no particular purpose, or merely make up the numbers.

So it must have seemed for the product planners of the GLA that first saw the light in (2014) and GLC (2016), who had likely rolled their eyes following the subsequent introduction of Mercedes’ Johnny Come-lately, middle-child GLB in 2020. With good reason. Although the GLB shares the platform of the A-Class-based GLA (albeit extended by 10 cm to stretch it to just 22 mm shy of the GLC), neither of its bookending siblings has the option of a third row of seats; it’s yours for an additional R20 200.

The GLB’s appearance is also more defined. No other GL-series Mercedes sports this stepped shoulder line at the foot of the C-pillar; and the upright grille, vertical headlamps and square wheel arches distinctly resemble the square-shaped Gelandewagen Luxus Kompaktklasse, or GLK, sold abroad from 2010 to 2015, but regrettably never locally. With a temporary suspension of disbelief, the GL prefix pays homage to the marque’s iconic, go-anywhere W460 Gelandewagen produced from 1979 until 1992.

With just 135 mm of ground clearance and, while nowhere near as capable off-road as the Gelandewagen or ever conceived to be the GLB nevertheless has permanent cockpit-adjustable all-wheel drive. In default mode, torque is distributed 80/20 front and rear, 70/30 in Sport mode and 50/50 in Off-road mode.