As a seasoned TURO Host, car selection is crucial to our business’s success. The 2022 Mercedes GLB SUV was the first car our team listed on TURO and our first Mercedes-Benz purchase. Let’s dive into the details of the 2022 Mercedes GLB SUV as both a family vehicle and as a vehicle to list on TURO.
The 2022 Mercedes GLB SUV combines the practicality of a compact SUV with the elegance and luxury that the brand is known for. This seven-seater vehicle stands out with its striking design, comfortable interior, and an array of advanced features. At first glance, we were impressed and practically sold!
Exterior and Interior Design
The GLB’s interior space and overall design is what initially attracted us to this vehicle. Mercedes did an excellent job designing the GLB, showcasing a modern and muscular stance, featuring sleek lines and a bold front grille that exudes confidence on the road. The overall design strikes a great balance between a rugged SUV and a refined luxury vehicle.
Inside, the cabin impresses with high-quality materials, including beautiful leather upholstery and tasteful trims. The spaciousness is commendable, especially considering the GLB’s compact dimensions. The GLB easily fits a car seat, without feeling overcrowded making it a perfect fit for a family with little ones. We opted to get the optional third-row seating, giving us options when traveling with additional family and friends.
While we initially thought the 3rd row would attract more renters on TURO, it hasn’t! Most guests that want a vehicle that fits 7, opt for a much bigger vehicle all together. Another drawback of the 3rd row for TURO is that it is absolutely time consuming to clean! When we must clean the 3rd row, it easily adds an additional 15 minutes or more when prepping the vehicle as it has many small nooks and crannies that you must get into.
Performance and Handling
The performance of the GLB does not disappoint!
Being our first Mercedes-Benz purchase and previously being primarily BMW owners, we had high expectations when it came to the GLB’s performance.
Under the hood, the GLB offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers smooth and responsive power. With 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, it provides ample acceleration and confident passing ability. The suspension setup strikes a nice balance between comfort and agility, offering a smooth ride while maintaining composed handling through corners. The available 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system enhances traction and stability, making it suitable for various road conditions. With the GLB’s compact design, you never feel any top heaviness or imbalance while handling tight curves like you do in other SUV’s.
Some reviews have said the GLB is not very exciting to drive, but I disagree! This car is not only fun to drive but is also the perfect balance between performance and providing the space needed for a family.
Safety Features
One of the main reasons we choose the GLB as a family vehicle is because Mercedes-Benz prioritizes safety, and the GLB is packed with advanced safety features. Standard features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a rearview camera. Optional safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. These technologies contribute to a secure and confident driving experience for both our family and our TURO guests.
Technology and Infotainment
The technology featured in the GLB is impressive. The GLB comes with Mercedes’ intuitive MBUX infotainment system, featuring a crisp 7-inch touchscreen display. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless smartphone integration. Our TURO guests love having their devices seamlessly pair with the vehicle as soon as they get in. This provides our guests with the personalized driving experience they are looking for. The surround sound system delivers impressive audio quality, making long drives a delight.
With so many customizable settings, you can spend hours reviewing the vehicles many features. Fortunately, MBUXmakes it easy to find and customize the features that you are looking for.
When functioning correctly, Mercedes technology is impressive, however, at the most inopportune times the Mercedes app connectivity goes down or a random error displays itself on the touch screen display (see vehicles con list below). While the technology seems to resolve itself within a few hours or by restarting the vehicle, it can certainly interrupt the sophisticated feel and experience the vehicle is expected to provide.
Comfort and Convenience
No complaints here! Mercedes-Benz has paid attention to passenger comfort in the GLB. The seats are supportive and offer various adjustments, allowing occupants to find their ideal position. The second-row seats smoothly slide and recline, ensuring flexibility and comfort. The ample cargo space with the rear seats folded down is a welcome feature for those needing extra room for luggage or larger items. The third row is also amazingly comfortable allowing enough space for either an adult or a child. The power liftgate makes loading and unloading hassle-free, further adding to the convenience factor.
Fuel Efficiency
We love the fuel efficiency the GLB provides and so do our guests!
The GLB delivers respectable fuel efficiency for its class, with an estimated 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway.
Price and Value
Is the GLB price tag worth it? Absolutely! With a starting price in the mid-range for its class, the 2022 GLB offers good value for a luxury compact SUV. Its combination of elegant design, versatile seating, advanced technology, and safety features justifies the price tag. However, paying for it out of pocket? No, Thanks! That’s why we listed it on TURO.
Read: Unlocking Profitable Possibilities: How to Thrive as a TURP Host with Just Two Cars
Pros:
- Stylish, muscular design.
- Spacious and versatile interior, with optional third-row seating.
- Advanced safety features and driver-assistance technologies.
- Intuitive MBUX infotainment system.
- Comfortable ride and confident handling.
- Popular with TURO Guests
- Always earns a five-star review
Cons:
- Limited cargo space with the third-row seats in use.
- Some desirable features are available only as costly options.
- The Mercedes App connectivity can be unreliable. The service goes down at inopportune times forcing you to have to meet your TURO guests in person when they have selected a contactless, TURO Go Experience. For a practically brand-new vehicle, this can be unexpected and frustrating.
- Within the first year of owning the vehicle, we received a “seat not latching” error for the 2nd row and had to take the vehicle in for repair. Luckily it was covered under warranty.
- Also within the first year, a small oil leak was found during routine servicing. We are scheduled for repair and hope this will also be covered under warranty.
- Regular maintenance is costly
- Because of the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system tires must be rotated often
Conclusion
While The 2022 Mercedes GLB SUV is a standout choice in the compact luxury SUV arena, there is room for Mercedes Benz to improve on the finished product they are delivering to their consumers. What Mercedes does well is offer a compelling blend of style, versatility, and advanced features along with its spacious interior, impressive safety features, and refined driving experience. However, Mercedes falls short when it comes to system glitches both in the Mercedes app and the vehicles system technology. Technology is only impressive when it functions correctly.
Would I Recommend the 2022 Mercedes GLB?
Personally, yes!
The Mercedes GLB SUV is a joy to drive and doesn’t disappoint on performance and luxury.
To list on TURO, No!
Behind the scenes, the GLB can be quite demanding and costly to maintain. The issue with app connectivity poses a significant challenge for TURO hosts. Imagine when your TURO guest anticipates accessing the vehicle through TURO GO, but due to the app connectivity problem, you have to personally meet them in person. It can be incredibly frustrating for both the TURO host and the guest. Despite the fact that our guests absolutely adore the vehicle and have given us numerous five-star reviews, unfortunately, this car requires frequent attention and maintenance, which can be quite burdensome for a TURO listing aimed at making a profit.
Want to rent this car and see for yourself?
References:
Mercedes Benz. 2023
Retrieved from:
https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/class/glb/suv
